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'Custer's Last Fight' (1912) -

This early silent Western short was directed by and starred Francis Ford (the older brother of pioneering movie director John Ford). The poster features an image of the actual General George Custer (1839–1876), with the tagline declaring the two-reeler "The Greatest Wild West Feature Ever Filmed."

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'Ben Blair' (1916) -

Dustin Farnum was an early silent star of the Western genre, and is pictured prominently in this one-sheet poster art.

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'The Testing Block' (1920) -

The theatrical release poster to 'The Testing Block' depicts a fine painting of the movie's protagonist William S. Hart, one of the foremost Western stars of the silent era.

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'The Covered Wagon' (1923) -

The poster's tagline reads: "With hearts fortified by love they braved the perils of the plains." 'The Covered Wagon' is all about a group of pioneers traveling through the Old West from Kansas to Oregon.

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'The Iron Horse' (1924) -

The poster notes that John Ford produced 'The Iron Horse.' But he also directed the picture, though is uncredited for his effort despite the fact that it was his first major film. A silent feature, the movie is promoted as "A romance of the East and the West."

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'Tumbleweeds' (1925) -

Another superb example of movie poster art featuring William S. Hart. 'Tumbleweeds' was Hart's final movie. He retired shortly afterwards, and refused numerous offers to return in sound films. He died in 1946, aged 81.

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'Go West!' (1925) -

Silent comedy actor Buster Keaton ended up in the saddle in this slapstick feature, which he also directed. The poster art reflects his character, called Friendless, and his attempt to make a living bronco-busting.

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'Idaho Red' (1929) -

The poster art for Robert De Lacey's 1929 silent feature 'Idaho Red' is influenced to a degree by Art Deco. Tom Tyler stars, who went on to portray superhero Captain Marvel in 1941.

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'The Virginian' (1929) -

This was Gary Cooper's first leading role in a Western, and his first talkie. Cooper delivered a now famous line in the movie, "If you wanna call me that—smile," in response to being goaded by an arrogant gunslinger.

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'The Big Trail' (1930) -

In an early effort by designers to promote an ensemble cast, this poster for 'The Big Trail' features photographs of the principal actors, including John Wayne (in his first leading role) and Marguerite Churchill. Tyrone Power is also credited, but this is Tyrone Power Sr., father to the ultimately more famous Tyrone Power.

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'Cimarron' (1931) -

The publicity for 'Cimarron' evokes a classical, almost Biblical look. And it achieved epic rewards, being the first film to be nominated for the Big Five awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Writing) at the Oscars. It won for three of them, including Best Picture.

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'The Sunrise Trail' (1931) -

Actor Bob Steele appears in athletic form in this colorful and lively piece of poster art promoting 'The Sunrise Trail.'

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'When A Man Sees Red' (1934) -

The poster design for 'When A Man Sees Red' portrays popular actor Buck Jones, one of the top cowboy actors of the day.

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'The Way of the West' (1934) -

"A Rough Rider Western" is how the tagline describes this film, promoted in this poster by a vivid barroom brawl scene.

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'Tumbling Tumbleweeds' (1935) -

Gene Autry, "The Screen's New Singing Cowboy Star," swaps gun for guitar in this poster for 'Tumbling Tumbleweeds,' regarded as the very first "singing cowboy" Western.

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'The Cowboy and the Kid' (1936) -

Another Buck Jones movie, and another highly stylized poster to promote it. The "kid" in question is actor Bill Burrud, who went on to enjoy a successful career producing wildlife adventure programs.

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'Way Out West' (1937) -

Legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy ended up "way out west" in this hugely popular film, which features the song 'Trail of the Lonesome Pine,' sung by both in a set piece scene. The poster describes their Western outing as "Their Funniest Full-Length Feature."

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'Rollin' Home to Texas' (1940) -

Country music singer and actor Tex Ritter poses with his horse, "White Flash," in this splendid poster promoting 'Rollin' Home to Texas.'

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'They Died with Their Boots On' (1941) -

Errol Flynn is depicted looking suitably proud and patriotic in this poster publicizing another film about the life of General George Custer and his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Co-star Olivia de Havilland peers over his shoulder.

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'My Darling Clementine' (1946) -

By the 1940s, many poster designers were incorporating colorized Hollywood photographs into their artwork rather than rendering likenesses by hand. A good example is this poster for 'My Darling Clementine,' where Victor Mature and Linda Darnell are captured in a posed clinch while Henry Fonda looks on. Many critics regard this John Ford-directed movie as one of the best Westerns ever made.

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'Hangman's Knot' (1952) -

Randolph Scott and an ominous-looking noose steal the scene in this poster, the tagline of which reads: "...when the law of the rope was the law of the west."

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'Broken Lance' (1954) -

The producers figured this was Spencer Tracy's "most powerful portrayal of his career." 'Broken Lance' picked up several awards, but on this occasion the lead actor walked home empty handed.

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'Vera Cruz' (1954) -

The minimalist, almost monochrome, artwork featured in the poster for 'Vera Cruz' serves its purpose well, by emphasizing the anguished expressions of its two stars, Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster.

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'The Searchers' (1956) -

Another legendary Western made by John Ford and starring his leading man, John Wayne, 'The Searchers' uses artwork that copies a scene in the film for its main image, with the tagline "he had to find her" alluding to the movie's premise.

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'Love Me Tender' (1956) -

"Mr. Rock 'n' Roll in the story he was born to play!" announces Elvis Presley's screen debut in 'Love Me Tender.' Elvis is pictured twice, with guitar, and embracing co-star Debra Paget. Richard Egan, meanwhile, brandishes a pistol. Incidentally, Presley's character, Clint Reno, was a real-life Old West outlaw who rode with his brothers during and just after the American Civil War.

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'Hang 'Em High' (1968) -

Clint Eastwood is one of the Western genre's most enduring stars. In this poster for 'Hang 'Em High,' key moments in the film are illustrated under six nooses, above which reads: "The hanging was the best show in town. But they made two mistakes. They hung the wrong man and they didn't finish the job."

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'Guns for San Sebastian' (1968) -

This colorful and eye-catching poster uses a composite scene taken from the movie as its main image, a highly stylized design with an overlay message promising "Adventure that explodes with the fury of men...women...and guns gone wild!"

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'Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson' (1976) -

This poster cleverly mimics Old West-era bulletins that were produced to announce forthcoming shows and attractions. The real Buffalo Bill took his Wild West shows on tours in the United States, Great Britain, and continental Europe.

Sources: (Cowboys & Indians) (The Guardian) (Art of the Movies)

See also: Most wanted! Notorious outlaws of the Old West

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