Fri. May 3rd, 2024


Yes, I know it was just April 1st, but your eyes do not deceive you. It’s about time for a spirited defense of “Paint Your Wagon.” 

The famously derided musical was one of the films that helped kill the entire genre for about 25 years. I understand America’s hunger was for grit and realism, but I also don’t understand how this enormous, obscene object hasn’t won more converts over the intervening decades. So take a deep dive with me back into the world of Joshua Logan’s career-ending farce.

To watch more of Scout Tafoya’s video essays from his series The Unloved, click here.

By Dave Jenks

Dave Jenks is an American novelist and Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Between those careers, he’s worked as a deckhand, commercial fisherman, divemaster, taxi driver, construction manager, and over the road truck driver, among many other things. He now lives on a sea island, in the South Carolina Lowcountry, with his wife and youngest daughter. They also have three grown children, five grand children, three dogs and a whole flock of parakeets. Stinnett grew up in Melbourne, Florida and has also lived in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico. His next dream is to one day visit and dive Cuba.