MovieChat Forums > The Westerner (1940) Discussion > What does 'stealing the show' really mea...

What does 'stealing the show' really mean?


Once again someone has referred to Brennan as stealing the show, totally incorrectly. A bit player who calls attention to themselves in a role that isn't a main focus of the story, could be said to have stolen the show. Walter Brennan, as Roy Bean, has the best and almost the biggest role in the Westerner. If the picture had been called the Saga of Roy Bean, and he was top billed, there would be no foolish talk of him "stealing" anything. You can't steal what you already have. The show is written his way.

Howard Roller

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