Meanwhile, Back at the Hacienda

Ever noticed how Spanish seems so perfect for movies in the Western genre?  True, for a short while there was a fad called Spaghetti Westerns which originated from Italy, and Italian has a similar tempo and tone as Spanish, but somehow mis amigos just sounds more apropos than i miei amici.  Por qué?

I suppose it's because the American West is so deeply connected to Spanish culture.  Most Westerns are filled with padres and haciendos and chaparrales.  And are usually set in places like El Paso or Tucson (which I noted while watching Gran Chaparral the other day) is pronounced 'Toohk-sahn' in Spanish. 

If Spanish is your language of choice, you are in luck because I've found Spanish dubs of Bonanza, Wild, Wild West, The High Chaparral, Gunsmoke, and several other vintage Western TV shows on YouTube.  Also plenty of old Western movies.  You have to do some research, though, because they rarely have the same title as the English versions.  For example, The Wild, Wild West,  El Salvaje Salvaje Oeste is called Jim West in the dubbed version.  Gunsmoke becomes La Ley del Revólver.  Most of them have at least one or two Latino actors and it's rare that you won't hear at least some Spanish even in the English versions.  

So, turn on the TV or log on to YouTube.   Put your hands in the air, pardner.  Ponga sus manos en alto, vaquero.  Ahora, bailar!