Y’know – I was watching some western on TV and watched somebody go through the swinging doors for the millionth time – when it occurred to me – how do you LOCK those doors? It doesn’t seem very likely you can. I’ve never seen a latch on them or anything, and you can still kick in the doors if you wanted in. And if you can’t lock ‘em, how can you secure the bar when it’s closing time? Which made me wonder – do old west bars ever close? I don’t ever recall seeing an old west saga where the barkeep snarls to the hero, "It’s closin’ time, Jake. Go clear out."
While I’m on the subject, how did they ever go about replacing those big storefront glass windows after barfights and gun shoot-outs? I’ve never seen a glassblower in a western town yet.
I know that there was a thread about this recently. It must be here somewhere. Basically, the swinging doors are mainly a movie prop. Even if a bar did have these style doors, they were located in the interior of the bar. Old west bars had doors that locked just like everwhere else. Of course they closed and the outside doors were locked just like every other business. Even the bars in New Orleans close today, usually between 6:00 and 7:00 am to sweep up and to get ready for the morning rush.
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While we’re on the subject, what was the first movie western to show (or at least strongly imply) that those saloon girls weren’t there just to dance?[/hijack]
I’d guess that even if they did have batwings (the technical term for thaose doors), they’d have a set of “real” doors on the inside that folded flat against the wall when open. They’re probably just Hollywood, though…what purpose would they serve in real life? They’re not keeping the bugs out or the heat in…