atroylen This movie had a personal EFFECT upon me. my husband - at the time was named John - but we called him Johnny because he was the baby of the family. As my mature husband - he was a "traveling employee for Avildson Tool Corp, - (Yes, the same Alvidson that won an Academy Rewardfor "Rocky") I played piano at the time - I started lessons at age six - It was after many years that I was was married to Johnny . I played mostly classical music. Chopin was my favorite - Etudes an Nocturnes. I saw the film - "}Johnny Guitar" and was very intrigued with especially with Mercedes' Cambridge part. But, of course - the fiery passion between Joan Crawford and Sterling - oh , well - we know how that goes.The song also got into my guts and I had to learn how to play it, AND I did ! My version was very good . from piano to forte. A crescendo from start to finish. It exemplified the two main characters - Joan Crawford and Sterling Haden.

Byrdz If you like western scenery, this one is for you. The outdoor shots were filmed in Red Canyon Crossing, Sedona,AZ. The red rocks and the Arizona colors are spectacular. The movie itself, however, not so much ! Much has been said about the "plot" and the "cult wonderfulness" of the film. I did not "get it". I usually just watch a film and either like it or not. This one tho' PHEW! I was distracted by so many things, the awful makeup done by Crawford herself and by the gosh-darn-terrible scene chewing by the "leading ladies" BOTH of them. Not to mention the total lack of chemistry between the "love interests" . The supporting players did their best with what they were given. Carradine, Borgnine, Bond and Royal Dano among the best.Don't usually react to stuff like this but : Johnny Guitar tells Vienna that it's like hiding out with a lit lantern as she is flouncing around the woods and rocks in her White Chiffon swirly whirly dress. She just happens to have a clothesline in her cave's basement with garments handy for changing into. So what does she pick ? A SCARLET SHIRT ! For hiding in the woods !The whole "phantom of the opera" like scene with the piano in the cave ... ugh ! Another "pick-picky". McCambridge gleefully shoots down the chandelier and the building immediately erupts into total flame mode. The go to the bridge and do their little rope trick and come back much to the STILL BURNING BUILDING ! It's that kind of a picture. Called a "masterpiece" by some but not by all.

OllieSuave-007 I've watched this movie once on TV with my dad. Though I don't remembered much from it, I do recall being pretty intrigued by the overall story, rooting for the cowgirl-like character Vienna (Joan Crawford) stand up against an evil gang, led by the nefarious and cold Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge).I remembered Emma Small being a notorious and evil character and provided much of the thrills and suspense in the movie, and seeing Vienna trying to outdo the bad Emma was nothing short of satisfying.Though released in 1954, the movie was filmed in brilliant color and, while the acting may have had its campy moments and the plot could have used more good guy vs. bad guy elements, it was still a pretty exciting little western for me as a kid to watch back in the day.Grade B-

LeonLouisRicci This could be called an Anti-Western or an Upside Down Western. It is one of those that has as many Descriptions as it does Admirers and Dissenters. It is Divisive and can Delight and Disappoint. There is Something here that cannot be ignored. It is Audacious, Different, Quirky, and Quintessentially a Cult Movie, Camp Classic, or an unmitigated Catastrophe, depending on who is doing the Pontificating.What Attracts Viewers and Historians to this Glaring Misrepresentation of the Western is a number of things, one is the Fading Star Joan Crawford taking full Control of the Film Production and Demanding a Singular Voice to its Intent and Outcome. Her Characterization is something so Bizarre that only an Egomaniac could have seen it as Flattering. She does Dominate the Movie but not Completely.The other Female Lead in this Western, and the two Women lead the Proceedings, is Mercedes Cambridge and She practically steals the Film with a Performance that is Loathsome and Witch Like. There are Garish Color Schemes and Poetic Dialog along with a Script that is not Shy about Anti-McCarthy Sentiments. There is more than one Scene where Characters are Forced to Name Names to save themselves and so on.An Unsettling Movie that is so Off-Beat it is a Hard Swallow for Casual Western and Movie Fans because it so Unorthodox. But if you are looking for Metaphors in your Movies and can Enjoy stretching and turning things inside out, this may be just the Western you are looking for.