One genre that has come closest to reaching universal appeal is the western. For those of us growing up in the fifties our world was defined by the movies and television shows set in the old west. We would dress up with toy six shooters and cowboy hats and play ‘cowboys and Indians’. Don’t judge us for the politically incorrect ethic usage it was fifty years ago. While this is a truly American genre the western has been adopted by several other countries most notably Italy. It has been a long time since there was an innovation in the western especially here in the States; until now that is ‘Ghost Town: The Movie’, also known as ‘Dean Teaster's Ghost Town’. This new format could very well be called the ‘Eastern’ since it is homage to the Wild West shows that used to entertain the people in the eastern part of the country. It is the old west as people wanted to see it; full of danger, shootouts and the promise for quick riches. This was not necessarily the way it was back then but it was giving the people what they expected. This is a very strange flick. It is part dramatization of the Wild West shows, part look back at the westerns many of us grew up with. This is one of the reasons we should all be grateful for independent films. A quirky premise like this would never get past the established Hollywood executives. It takes a few dedicated people who have an idea and a dream of making a movie to make something like this work. While the film admittedly has its missteps overall it works. Lion’s Gate once again comes to the rescue for film lovers by releasing this movie to DVD. As life-long fan of film living in New York City little art houses were only a subway ride away. If you are not so fortunate getting these little gems on DVD to help them get the recognition they deserve.

The creative force behind this movie is Dean West. You might be a little confused since this film is called Dean Teaster’s. West was born Sherrill Dean Teaster in North Carolina, the setting of the story. His father Doyle was one of the original gunfighters who performed for live audiences at "Ghost Town in the Sky" Wild West Show in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The town shown here is that famous roadside attraction. Dean initially followed his father’s footsteps by taking on the role there as the Undertaker. Many famous faces in television and film westerns also had parts alongside him like Dan Blocker Burt Reynolds and Clu Gulager. As such Dean was weaned on the tall tales of the old west. This tradition goes way back in the Teaser family. The story is loosely based on the Smoky Mountain settler Harmon Teaster, Dean’s great great grandfather. Prior to this Dean has been a working character actor. Working with Dean on the story and taking on the scripting responsibility is DJ Perry. He also has had a long career in front of the camera as well as experience in the production end of film making. In the writing arena Perry has a few shorts and documentaries to his name. This did give him a unique perspective here. Along with West they were able too bring back the feel of these old Wild West shows with a touch of documentary to add to the realism. The story has all the elements we have come to expect from a classic western. There is revenge, forgiveness and just the right touch of old school romance.

The directing functions were split between West and Jeff Kennedy. West is a first timer for both writing and direction. Kennedy has a few movies prior to this including ‘From Venus’ which was also written by Perry. The one thing that is very obvious here is it seems like the cast and crew and a whole lot of fun making this movie. It is not that they are constantly joking around on screen just that there is this feeling that comes across that these are people fully dedicated to what they are doing. They get the plot up and running quickly spreading the exposition throughout the first act of the movie. There are no fancy directorial tricks or fancy lighting just good old fashion cinema like we remember from the old westerns of your youth. This may be more readily acceptable to the older audience who know the names Roy Rogers or Gene Autry. If you are unfamiliar with these names talk to your parents or grandparents. The movie flows naturally pulling in the audience into both the story and the sheer history of the place it was filmed.

The film opens with a washed out view of Ghost Town, North Carolina in the late 1800’s. A stagecoach has just arrived in town. Sheriff Parker (Sammy Kershaw) and his deputy Tuck (Tony Becker) get off and are met by Marshal Morgan Duckett (Sammy Kershaw) and his deputy Wilson (Taymour Ghazi). The sheriff tells the marshal that Harmon Teatser (Herbert 'Cowboy' Coward) has come to town. A voice over sets the basis for the story telling how American settlers fought for land and gold; pushing further and further west. In places back east Celtic settlers carved out a homestead in the mountainous region. They held to the traditions including an eye for an eye as a duty to preserve family honor. This sets up the basis for this ‘Eastern’; that many of the elements associated with the west where at play here. We see Harmon, now an old man, living in seclusion with his young Native American daughter Violet (Princess Lucaj). Harmon thinks he sees Violet’s mother, Susie (Tammy Stephens Teaster) walking amidst the crude grave markers out front. Violet notes that the old man is burning up with fever. Meanwhile back at town trouble is brewing. The colors at the homestead are better defined than what is used in town. The town scenes are more washed out reflecting the lack of the general feeling of the homestead. In the jail one young man is behind bars. A man burst into saying that John Burnett (Bill Steele) is riding in with his boys. The man in the cell is Victor (Charles Edwin Powell) John’s son. He is being held pending trial for killing a Native American. We learn that the young man who just came in was Harmon (Terry Jernigan), the son of the sheriff back then. This sets up a story that is dependent on flashbacks requiring the audience to piece together the current and past story lines. It also provides a basis for the need for family honor that transcends generations.

This is a quirky flick that great enjoyment. It helps to redefine the treatment of the western format as well as reinforces the great imagination that is found in the better Indy movies. Thanks again to Lion's Gate for allowing fans a chance to get this film and have fun.