The phrase "horse opera" is a nickname for old Western movies. It refers to the adventurous and often melodramatic stories that involve cowboys and horses. Full definition
Trading slightly on the actor's own longtime status as a taken - for - granted utility player in Hollywood, Elliott plays Lee Hayden, a has - been western actor relegated to voiceover work, smoking pot, and private re-watches of his big movie moment as the steely - eyed star of a famous horse opera called «The Hero.» (thewrap.com)
A standard cowboys «n» Indians, good vs. evil horse opera where good looks and good shots come together for the good of mankind. (metacritic.com)
Buster Crabbe essays a dual role in the PRC horse opera The Drifter. (rottentomatoes.com)