[Bahbah]

But I still love Jack Palance, even though he was the bad guy in Shane!

Me too. And I love those movies. And it wasn't always easy to be the good guys. Another favorite of mine was Stalag 17. I was very young.

[Phsstpok]

But to me, the most significant (existential) role in Shane belongs to Ben Johnson. The "bad guy" who initially humiliated and then fought with Shane (only to be beaten in a fair fight). He saw the light and ended up on the side of good and walked away from the bad guys, after warning Shane. I kling to that notion becuase I need to believe that there is good in all of us.

There is no joy in killing those who do evil. Sometimes, however, it is necessary, but it is not to be courted. This movie (and High Noon) bring that point fully home.

[Phsstpok]

Oh, and in regard to Stalag 17, that was clearly a classic. Animal and all the rest. And Otto Preminger as the commandant!

I also loved Preminger's In Harm's Way, which was on TV today. I actually gave George Takei a note at an SF convention suggesting that they needed to remake that movie as a Star Trek movie. It would be great!