Paul Colt's Blog, page 13
July 15, 2023
Streets of Laredo
Streets of Laredo comes with the most unusual provenance in western film. Western films have been inspired by historical events, novels, biblical stories, and even a Shakespeare or two. Now imagine an Irish folk song cum western ballad and what do get? Streets of Laredo, film not to be confused with Larry McMurtry’s third installment of Lonesome Dove miniseries by the same name; or the Texas town itself which does have streets. Confused? Let’s stick with the song and the film.
What does the film have in common with the song? The musical score for a start. The ballad plays prominently in the film. Then there’s the song’s original 1911 title, The Dying Cowboy. A cowboy dies at the end of the film. The song is a classic even if the film doesn’t rise to that standard. Consider some of the notables who recorded a version: Eddy Arnold, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Burl Ives, Jim Reeves, Roy Rogers, Marty Robbins, Chet Atkins, Arlo Guthrie, Rex Allen, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and the Norman Luboff Choir. Better ask who didn’t record Streets of Laredo?
Oh yeah, the film. Three outlaws rescue a young girl, Rannie Carter (Mona Freeman) from violent killer Charley Calico (Alfonso Bedoya). They see the girl to safety in the care of a kindly old rancher. The outlaws separate. Two Jim Dawkins (William Holden) and Wahoo Jones (William Bendix) aid a band of Texas Rangers and are recruited into the Rangers. The third Lorn Reming (McDonald Carey) sees opportunity in outlawing while his partners have a hand in enforcing the law. Calico isn’t done with young Rannie. He burns the ranchers barn and assaults a Ranger. Dawkins kills him.
With Calico out of the way Lorn moves in on his turf including the beautiful Rannie. Dawkins decides Lorn’s lawless ways have gone too far when he attempts to move in on the woman Dawkins loves. When Lorn guns down Wahoo, Dawkins vows vengeance. He and Lorn face each other on the streets of Larado where Rannie kills Lorn rendering him the song’s dying cowboy. Cue the chorus please . . .
Next Week: Warlock
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Ride easy,
Paul
What does the film have in common with the song? The musical score for a start. The ballad plays prominently in the film. Then there’s the song’s original 1911 title, The Dying Cowboy. A cowboy dies at the end of the film. The song is a classic even if the film doesn’t rise to that standard. Consider some of the notables who recorded a version: Eddy Arnold, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Burl Ives, Jim Reeves, Roy Rogers, Marty Robbins, Chet Atkins, Arlo Guthrie, Rex Allen, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and the Norman Luboff Choir. Better ask who didn’t record Streets of Laredo?
Oh yeah, the film. Three outlaws rescue a young girl, Rannie Carter (Mona Freeman) from violent killer Charley Calico (Alfonso Bedoya). They see the girl to safety in the care of a kindly old rancher. The outlaws separate. Two Jim Dawkins (William Holden) and Wahoo Jones (William Bendix) aid a band of Texas Rangers and are recruited into the Rangers. The third Lorn Reming (McDonald Carey) sees opportunity in outlawing while his partners have a hand in enforcing the law. Calico isn’t done with young Rannie. He burns the ranchers barn and assaults a Ranger. Dawkins kills him.
With Calico out of the way Lorn moves in on his turf including the beautiful Rannie. Dawkins decides Lorn’s lawless ways have gone too far when he attempts to move in on the woman Dawkins loves. When Lorn guns down Wahoo, Dawkins vows vengeance. He and Lorn face each other on the streets of Larado where Rannie kills Lorn rendering him the song’s dying cowboy. Cue the chorus please . . .
Next Week: Warlock
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
July 8, 2023
One Foot in Hell
By chance, I’ve seen this film a couple of times in recent memory. Not sure what there is about it but for some reason, I end up meh. Not the only one either. Delores Michaels who played the female lead as prostitute Julie Reynolds said of her role ‘as roles go for women in westerns this one is better than most . . . (but) there is just so much you can do with a period piece.’ If she wasn’t excited about playing the part, that might be part of the problem.
Then you have Alan Ladd playing a villain. Variety may be the spice of life, but it struck me as out of character for him. The script didn’t help either. Wife dies in childbirth and Ladd’s character decides to take revenge on the town and three of its prominent citizens, whom he blames for the tragedy. On to the story.
Mitch Barrett (Ladd) moves west to a small Arizona cattle town with his wife Ellie (Rachel Stephens), who dies in childbirth. A grieving Barrett blames local hotelier George Caldwell (Henry Norell), storekeeper Sam Geller (John Alexander) along with Sheriff Ole Oleson (Karl Swenson). Barrett hatches a plan to rob the bank and financially ruin the town while killing those who aggrieve him. He recruits four accomplices. Town drunk Dan Keats (Don Murray), erstwhile Brit noble pick pocket Sir Harry Ivers (Dan O’Herlihy), prostitute Julie Reynolds (Michaels) and gunman Stu Christian (Barry Coe).
The robbery comes off as planned with Ivers and Christian killing Caldwell and Geller. In a redeeming plot twist Barrett fakes an attempt to break up the robbery by having Christian wound him with a grazing shot. This positions Barrett to join Sheriff Oleson as a deputy with a prominent role leading a posse in pursuit of the robbers. The posse catches up with Ivers and Christian. Barrett kills both in the shootout that follows but not before Sheriff Oleson is killed, leaving Barrett to take over as sheriff. Meanwhile hidden out with the loot, Dan and Julie fall in love. When Barrett comes calling to finish the job of killing off his partners, Julie manages to turn the tables and kill Barrett, thereby rendering Michaels role, ‘better than most’.
Julie and Dan return the money, prepared to pay for their part in the crime for the promise of happily ever after prison. Meh.
Next Week: Streets of Laredo
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Then you have Alan Ladd playing a villain. Variety may be the spice of life, but it struck me as out of character for him. The script didn’t help either. Wife dies in childbirth and Ladd’s character decides to take revenge on the town and three of its prominent citizens, whom he blames for the tragedy. On to the story.
Mitch Barrett (Ladd) moves west to a small Arizona cattle town with his wife Ellie (Rachel Stephens), who dies in childbirth. A grieving Barrett blames local hotelier George Caldwell (Henry Norell), storekeeper Sam Geller (John Alexander) along with Sheriff Ole Oleson (Karl Swenson). Barrett hatches a plan to rob the bank and financially ruin the town while killing those who aggrieve him. He recruits four accomplices. Town drunk Dan Keats (Don Murray), erstwhile Brit noble pick pocket Sir Harry Ivers (Dan O’Herlihy), prostitute Julie Reynolds (Michaels) and gunman Stu Christian (Barry Coe).
The robbery comes off as planned with Ivers and Christian killing Caldwell and Geller. In a redeeming plot twist Barrett fakes an attempt to break up the robbery by having Christian wound him with a grazing shot. This positions Barrett to join Sheriff Oleson as a deputy with a prominent role leading a posse in pursuit of the robbers. The posse catches up with Ivers and Christian. Barrett kills both in the shootout that follows but not before Sheriff Oleson is killed, leaving Barrett to take over as sheriff. Meanwhile hidden out with the loot, Dan and Julie fall in love. When Barrett comes calling to finish the job of killing off his partners, Julie manages to turn the tables and kill Barrett, thereby rendering Michaels role, ‘better than most’.
Julie and Dan return the money, prepared to pay for their part in the crime for the promise of happily ever after prison. Meh.
Next Week: Streets of Laredo
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Ride easy,
Paul
July 1, 2023
Two Flags West
Two Flags West is loosely based on historical characters and events occurring in the civil war west. Ideas for the film owe their origin to research done by screen writer Frank Nugent while working on the screen play for, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, the second film in John Ford’s cavalry trilogy with John Wayne. The plot elements are something of a mosaic, gathered and arranged from dispirit sources.
In late 1863 President Lincoln issued an order allowing release of Confederate prisoners of war who agreed to join the Union army for peace keeping assignments against hostile Indians on the western frontier. Given the deplorable conditions of civil war prison camps, the president’s offer soon produced the service of “Galvanized Yankees”. Now add Fort Thorn a remote cavalry post on the New Mexico frontier, a plot to unite California to the Confederacy, and a Kiowa band lifted from Texas, and Hollywood has all the historical elements it needs for Two Flags West.
Union Captain Mark Bradford (Cornel Wilde) recruits a unit of Confederate prisoners from the Georgia 5th Cavalry. The unit under the command of Colonel Clay Tucker (Joseph Cotton) accepts Bradford’s offer. They are assigned to Fort Thorn, under the command of Major Henry Kenniston (Jeff Chandler). Kenniston is no fan of the Georgians, courtesy of a wound sustained early in the war. Tucker, now a Union Lieutenant is put off by the major’s condescending treatment of his men. The widow of Kenniston’s brother, Elena (Linda Darnel) is the Major’s uneasy guest following her husband’s death.
Conflicts develop over Kenniston’s order for Tucker to execute convicted gun runners who turn out to be confederate agents and a mission to escort a wagon train through hostile territory. On the wagon train Tucker meets a Confederate agent who recruits Tucker to a plot to unite California to the Confederacy. Back at Fort Thorn, Kenniston executes the son of a Kiowa chief bringing about an attack on the fort. Tucker, conflicted by duty, fights his way back to the fort. The siege is broken when Kenniston gives himself up to the chief. Two Flags West ends on the news Sherman has completed his march to the sea, cutting the confederacy in two, sealing the prospect of Union victory.
How did John Ford miss this one?
Next Week: One Foot in Hell
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
In late 1863 President Lincoln issued an order allowing release of Confederate prisoners of war who agreed to join the Union army for peace keeping assignments against hostile Indians on the western frontier. Given the deplorable conditions of civil war prison camps, the president’s offer soon produced the service of “Galvanized Yankees”. Now add Fort Thorn a remote cavalry post on the New Mexico frontier, a plot to unite California to the Confederacy, and a Kiowa band lifted from Texas, and Hollywood has all the historical elements it needs for Two Flags West.
Union Captain Mark Bradford (Cornel Wilde) recruits a unit of Confederate prisoners from the Georgia 5th Cavalry. The unit under the command of Colonel Clay Tucker (Joseph Cotton) accepts Bradford’s offer. They are assigned to Fort Thorn, under the command of Major Henry Kenniston (Jeff Chandler). Kenniston is no fan of the Georgians, courtesy of a wound sustained early in the war. Tucker, now a Union Lieutenant is put off by the major’s condescending treatment of his men. The widow of Kenniston’s brother, Elena (Linda Darnel) is the Major’s uneasy guest following her husband’s death.
Conflicts develop over Kenniston’s order for Tucker to execute convicted gun runners who turn out to be confederate agents and a mission to escort a wagon train through hostile territory. On the wagon train Tucker meets a Confederate agent who recruits Tucker to a plot to unite California to the Confederacy. Back at Fort Thorn, Kenniston executes the son of a Kiowa chief bringing about an attack on the fort. Tucker, conflicted by duty, fights his way back to the fort. The siege is broken when Kenniston gives himself up to the chief. Two Flags West ends on the news Sherman has completed his march to the sea, cutting the confederacy in two, sealing the prospect of Union victory.
How did John Ford miss this one?
Next Week: One Foot in Hell
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Ride easy,
Paul
June 24, 2023
The Last Hard Men
Cast Charlton Heston and one of my favorite wester actors, James Coburn opposite one another and I’m set up for a satisfying film. The script gives us a story as old as the west in the hands of talented director Andrew McLaglen. The result is a good film that may have squandered the potential to be great.
Arizona Ranger, Captain Sam Burgade’s (Heston) retirement is interrupted by half-breed Navajo renegade Zach Provo (Coburn) escaping from Yuma Prison with a half dozen accomplices. Burgade put Provo behind bars, but more than that Provo blames the ranger for the death of his wife. Provo’s thirst for revenge cannot be slacked by anything less than killing Sam Burgade.
Provo and his gang abduct Burgade’s daughter Susan (Barbara Hershey) to draw the retired lawman into a showdown. Provo shows himself to be utterly ruthless, allowing two of his men to rape Susan in plain sight of her father. Burgade’s partner prevents him from a suicidal rescue attempt. As events unfold, Burgade kills Provo’s men one by one until only the renegade remains. Provo gets the drop on Burgade wounding him repeatedly before preparing to cut out his heart. Burgade turns the tables and kills him.
Critics including the New York Times and Variety generally gave the film decent reviews. Variety praised the cinematography along with the intensity of the portrayal. Coburn voiced misgivings over the authenticity of his character’s singular obsession with vengeance and pain. That may be the bruise on the bloom for me.
Next Week: Two Flags West
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Arizona Ranger, Captain Sam Burgade’s (Heston) retirement is interrupted by half-breed Navajo renegade Zach Provo (Coburn) escaping from Yuma Prison with a half dozen accomplices. Burgade put Provo behind bars, but more than that Provo blames the ranger for the death of his wife. Provo’s thirst for revenge cannot be slacked by anything less than killing Sam Burgade.
Provo and his gang abduct Burgade’s daughter Susan (Barbara Hershey) to draw the retired lawman into a showdown. Provo shows himself to be utterly ruthless, allowing two of his men to rape Susan in plain sight of her father. Burgade’s partner prevents him from a suicidal rescue attempt. As events unfold, Burgade kills Provo’s men one by one until only the renegade remains. Provo gets the drop on Burgade wounding him repeatedly before preparing to cut out his heart. Burgade turns the tables and kills him.
Critics including the New York Times and Variety generally gave the film decent reviews. Variety praised the cinematography along with the intensity of the portrayal. Coburn voiced misgivings over the authenticity of his character’s singular obsession with vengeance and pain. That may be the bruise on the bloom for me.
Next Week: Two Flags West
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
June 17, 2023
The Cheyenne Social Club
The Cheyenne Social Club has historical roots, an outstanding cast, wonderful screen play and a personal connection we couldn’t resist. All that you say, how so? Start with the film. Aging Texas cowboy John O’Hanlan (Jimmy Stewart) receives a letter advising him his brother has passed away, leaving him his business in Cheyenne. O’Hanlan has never owned anything in his life but a saddle. He sets out for Cheyenne to claim his inheritance along with his pal Harley Sullivan (Henry Fonda), who has nothing better to do. They arrive in Cheyenne only to discover to O’Hanlan’s dismay, his brother’s business is a brothel, high class but a brothel all the same.
O’Hanlan determines to convert The Cheyenne Social Club into a respectable boarding house much to the 'displeasure' of the ‘city fathers’, the ladies who live and work there, and Harley who is…’sympathetic’ to the ladies’ plight. Things take a turn when Jenny (Shirley Jones), the club madam is beaten by a man named Bannister. O’Hanlan kills Bannister, ‘reingratiating’ himself with the ladies. (If some of these terms sound suggestive, so is the film.) Bannister as it turns out has kin, lots of kin. John and Harley fight off the first wave of vengeance seekers with Jenny’s help. With a second wave headed for town, John and Harley head back to Texas, leaving the Cheyenne Social Club to Jenny and the ladies.
The Cheyenne Social Club has a basis in historical fact. A high class club of the same name served the upscale needs of wealthy cattle barons drawn to Wyoming in the heyday of a boom in the cattle business. I’ve written about it in Powder River Range, the not yet released fifth book in my Great Western Detective League Series, a story loosely based on the Johnson County War. That’s not my only affection for the Cheyenne Social Club.
In recent years attendees at the Western Writers of America annual convention were treated to an evening of entertainment by dramatic readings of a western film script. These ‘productions’ were directed by Emmy Award winning screen writer Kirk Ellis, known for his work on the HBO miniseries John Adams and Spielberg’s Into The West. A few years ago, the ‘WWA Players’ read The Cheyenne Social Club, a production in which I was privileged to ‘doctor’ Jenny (Country singer and western writer Micki Fuhrman) after her beating. Great evening of fun. In a twist of coincidence, I post this from Rapids City South Dakota, while attending the 70th Anniversary Western Writers of America Convention. Great fun all over again.
Next Week: The Last Hard Men
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
O’Hanlan determines to convert The Cheyenne Social Club into a respectable boarding house much to the 'displeasure' of the ‘city fathers’, the ladies who live and work there, and Harley who is…’sympathetic’ to the ladies’ plight. Things take a turn when Jenny (Shirley Jones), the club madam is beaten by a man named Bannister. O’Hanlan kills Bannister, ‘reingratiating’ himself with the ladies. (If some of these terms sound suggestive, so is the film.) Bannister as it turns out has kin, lots of kin. John and Harley fight off the first wave of vengeance seekers with Jenny’s help. With a second wave headed for town, John and Harley head back to Texas, leaving the Cheyenne Social Club to Jenny and the ladies.
The Cheyenne Social Club has a basis in historical fact. A high class club of the same name served the upscale needs of wealthy cattle barons drawn to Wyoming in the heyday of a boom in the cattle business. I’ve written about it in Powder River Range, the not yet released fifth book in my Great Western Detective League Series, a story loosely based on the Johnson County War. That’s not my only affection for the Cheyenne Social Club.
In recent years attendees at the Western Writers of America annual convention were treated to an evening of entertainment by dramatic readings of a western film script. These ‘productions’ were directed by Emmy Award winning screen writer Kirk Ellis, known for his work on the HBO miniseries John Adams and Spielberg’s Into The West. A few years ago, the ‘WWA Players’ read The Cheyenne Social Club, a production in which I was privileged to ‘doctor’ Jenny (Country singer and western writer Micki Fuhrman) after her beating. Great evening of fun. In a twist of coincidence, I post this from Rapids City South Dakota, while attending the 70th Anniversary Western Writers of America Convention. Great fun all over again.
Next Week: The Last Hard Men
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
June 10, 2023
The Last Challenge
The Last Challenge is a not-so-classic reprise to a western theme so cliché it’s classic. Marshal Dan Blaine (Glenn Ford) is by reputation, the fastest gun in the west. Young Lot McGuire (Chad Everett) sets out to lay claim to the fame. He first encounters Blaine at a fishing hole without knowing who the man is. They strike up a casual acquaintance until McGuire reveals his purpose and Blaine reveals his identity.
McGuire rides into town where Blaine is town marshal. Brothel madam, Lisa Denton (Angie Dickenson) is in love with Blaine and plans to wed him. She learns McGuires intentions and hires gun hand drifter Scarnes (Jack Elam) to kill McGuire.
Circumstances throw Blaine and McGuire together to deal with renegade Indians. Blaine takes an interest in the young man and tries to persuade him to give up the idea of facing him. If McGuire forces Blaine’s hand, he will have no choice but to kill him. Any sign of weakness will bring every wanna-be gunny in the territory down on him.
Scarnes ambushes McGuire and is killed in the ensuing gunfight. Dying he tells McGuire Lisa hired him. McGuire confronts Lisa who sees the showdown coming. She draws her derringer, determined to kill McGuire. Blaine disarms her. McGuire confronts Blaine in the saloon. He draws. Blaine kills him.
At McGuires graveside, Blaine throws his gun belt into the grave on top of the casket. He mounts his horse and rides out of town as Lisa cries on the saloon steps.
The story makes thin gruel for a very talented cast. Glenn Ford brought the same brand of gravitas to the role of Dan Blaine as he brought to Ben Wade in the original 3:10 to Yuma. In young Chad Everett we got a glimpse of the talent he would develop in the years and roles following The Last Challenge. Angie Dickenson is Angie Dickenson in the talented early years of her career. Jack Elam can do bad, and he does bad good as Scarnes. The story didn’t give this cast much to work with, the talent more than made up the deficit.
Next Week: Firecreek
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Ride easy,
Paul
McGuire rides into town where Blaine is town marshal. Brothel madam, Lisa Denton (Angie Dickenson) is in love with Blaine and plans to wed him. She learns McGuires intentions and hires gun hand drifter Scarnes (Jack Elam) to kill McGuire.
Circumstances throw Blaine and McGuire together to deal with renegade Indians. Blaine takes an interest in the young man and tries to persuade him to give up the idea of facing him. If McGuire forces Blaine’s hand, he will have no choice but to kill him. Any sign of weakness will bring every wanna-be gunny in the territory down on him.
Scarnes ambushes McGuire and is killed in the ensuing gunfight. Dying he tells McGuire Lisa hired him. McGuire confronts Lisa who sees the showdown coming. She draws her derringer, determined to kill McGuire. Blaine disarms her. McGuire confronts Blaine in the saloon. He draws. Blaine kills him.
At McGuires graveside, Blaine throws his gun belt into the grave on top of the casket. He mounts his horse and rides out of town as Lisa cries on the saloon steps.
The story makes thin gruel for a very talented cast. Glenn Ford brought the same brand of gravitas to the role of Dan Blaine as he brought to Ben Wade in the original 3:10 to Yuma. In young Chad Everett we got a glimpse of the talent he would develop in the years and roles following The Last Challenge. Angie Dickenson is Angie Dickenson in the talented early years of her career. Jack Elam can do bad, and he does bad good as Scarnes. The story didn’t give this cast much to work with, the talent more than made up the deficit.
Next Week: Firecreek
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
June 3, 2023
The Night of the Grizzly
You hear writers talk about something they call writer’s block. I don’t recall ever suffering from that condition while writing any of my books. This may be the closest I’ve ever come. Some of you know I binge write these posts when I have white spaces in my schedule usually at the end of the day. I typically work months in advance. This series is long enough, I am posting and adding future posts as we go. Normally the process works like this, do the research one day, write the post the next, rinse, repeat. Pretty simple.
Then we come to The Night of the Grizzly. Did the research. Made my notes. Groped for an angle to make the post interesting. The notes have been sitting on my desk for two weeks. I need to put a bullet in this thing. And that is about the sum of The Night of the Grizzly. It’s a rogue bear that needs to be killed. End of story.
Ex lawman, Big Jim Cole (Clint Walker) inherits a ranch and decides to change professions. He moves his wife, son, niece and former deputy to Wyoming. Neighboring rancher, Jed Curry (Keenan Wynn) want’s Cole’s ranch. Cole does not want to sell. Soon after their arrival they greeted by Satan, a rogue grizzly (bear), terrorizing the area killing livestock. Cole’s prize bull is an early casualty. Cole restocks the ranch only to have Satan’s savagery take its toll, while Curry hopes the bear will ruin Cole and force him to sell. Cole vows to hunt Satan and kill him.
The rest of the film goes bear hunting. One trap after another fails. In one Satan kills Cole’s friend and former deputy. Former outlaw turned bounty hunter Cass Dowdy, who Cole once sent to prison, shows up to collect the bounty on Satan. He catches a case of revenge. In another run in with Satan, Cole is forced to jump off a cliff into a lake to save his own life. In the grand finale Satan trees Cole’s young son Charlie. Dowdy saves the boy, though is fatally mauled in the process. Cole wounds Satan with a knife (I know, I know, but it is Clint Walker) before finally shooting him dead. The end.
Hopefully we get back in rhythm now that this one is over.
Next Week: The Last Challenge
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Then we come to The Night of the Grizzly. Did the research. Made my notes. Groped for an angle to make the post interesting. The notes have been sitting on my desk for two weeks. I need to put a bullet in this thing. And that is about the sum of The Night of the Grizzly. It’s a rogue bear that needs to be killed. End of story.
Ex lawman, Big Jim Cole (Clint Walker) inherits a ranch and decides to change professions. He moves his wife, son, niece and former deputy to Wyoming. Neighboring rancher, Jed Curry (Keenan Wynn) want’s Cole’s ranch. Cole does not want to sell. Soon after their arrival they greeted by Satan, a rogue grizzly (bear), terrorizing the area killing livestock. Cole’s prize bull is an early casualty. Cole restocks the ranch only to have Satan’s savagery take its toll, while Curry hopes the bear will ruin Cole and force him to sell. Cole vows to hunt Satan and kill him.
The rest of the film goes bear hunting. One trap after another fails. In one Satan kills Cole’s friend and former deputy. Former outlaw turned bounty hunter Cass Dowdy, who Cole once sent to prison, shows up to collect the bounty on Satan. He catches a case of revenge. In another run in with Satan, Cole is forced to jump off a cliff into a lake to save his own life. In the grand finale Satan trees Cole’s young son Charlie. Dowdy saves the boy, though is fatally mauled in the process. Cole wounds Satan with a knife (I know, I know, but it is Clint Walker) before finally shooting him dead. The end.
Hopefully we get back in rhythm now that this one is over.
Next Week: The Last Challenge
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
May 27, 2023
Joe Kidd
Joe Kidd. Kind of vaguely may have heard of it. Hold on, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, Directed by ‘Magnificent Seven’ John Sturges? OK based on a book by a novelist with heavy western film credits, 3:10 to Yuma’s Elmore Leonard, though I never got the Leonard short story inspiration for a classic film. How did I miss this? Spoiler alert: It may have been the critics.
Wealthy New Mexico landowners have driven poor farmers off their ancestral lands. Revolutionary bandito Luis Chama (John Saxon) organizes a peasant revolt for land reform. This is the inspiration for Leonard’s novel The Sinola Courthouse Raid. Chama launches his revolt by raiding the courthouse in the New Mexico town of Sinloa to destroy the land office records.
Landowner Fran Harlan (Duvall) organizes a posse to put down the revolt. Set in 1900, posse men are armed with Springfield rifles with range and power far superior to conventional firearms of the day. Harlan persuades bounty hunter Joe Kidd (Eastwood) to join the posse. They take over a village near the place where Chama is known to be hiding. Townspeople are herded into the church where Harlan announces he will kill five of them until Chama surrenders. Kidd objects. Harlan throws him in with the prisoners, including the lovely Helen, Chama’s woman.
Kidd escapes, captures Chama and notifies Harlan he is going to deliver Chama to the sheriff in Sinloa. As Kidd and his captives head for town, they are pursued by the posse in a running gun battle with the high-powered rifles exacting a toll. Joe and Chama reach Sinloa only to find Harlan and his men intent on killing them all. In another gun battle, Joe commandeers a train and drives it through a saloon to reach the courthouse and the sheriff. Joe kills Harlan, turns Chama over to the sheriff, collects his things and rides off with Helen.
By now all the critiques have mentally left the theater. The train crash finality was added to the script during production after it was initially suggested as a joke. Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert gave the film two stars out of four. They criticized the pace of the film dragging from one disconnected violent confrontation to the next. Eastwood’s Joe Kidd is a violent man of few words, a role played before his classic character suffered the loss of a name.
Next Week: The Night of the Grizzly
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Wealthy New Mexico landowners have driven poor farmers off their ancestral lands. Revolutionary bandito Luis Chama (John Saxon) organizes a peasant revolt for land reform. This is the inspiration for Leonard’s novel The Sinola Courthouse Raid. Chama launches his revolt by raiding the courthouse in the New Mexico town of Sinloa to destroy the land office records.
Landowner Fran Harlan (Duvall) organizes a posse to put down the revolt. Set in 1900, posse men are armed with Springfield rifles with range and power far superior to conventional firearms of the day. Harlan persuades bounty hunter Joe Kidd (Eastwood) to join the posse. They take over a village near the place where Chama is known to be hiding. Townspeople are herded into the church where Harlan announces he will kill five of them until Chama surrenders. Kidd objects. Harlan throws him in with the prisoners, including the lovely Helen, Chama’s woman.
Kidd escapes, captures Chama and notifies Harlan he is going to deliver Chama to the sheriff in Sinloa. As Kidd and his captives head for town, they are pursued by the posse in a running gun battle with the high-powered rifles exacting a toll. Joe and Chama reach Sinloa only to find Harlan and his men intent on killing them all. In another gun battle, Joe commandeers a train and drives it through a saloon to reach the courthouse and the sheriff. Joe kills Harlan, turns Chama over to the sheriff, collects his things and rides off with Helen.
By now all the critiques have mentally left the theater. The train crash finality was added to the script during production after it was initially suggested as a joke. Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert gave the film two stars out of four. They criticized the pace of the film dragging from one disconnected violent confrontation to the next. Eastwood’s Joe Kidd is a violent man of few words, a role played before his classic character suffered the loss of a name.
Next Week: The Night of the Grizzly
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
May 20, 2023
The Rare Breed
Hang on. This plot has more back and forth than a doubles tennis match. British widow Martha Evans (Maureen O’Hara) and daughter Hilary (Juliet Mills) arrive from England with Hilary’s bull Vindicator to cross the Herford with Texas Longhorn stock on the range. Vindicator is sold at auction to Texas Rancher Alexander Bowen’s representative (Brian Keith).
Wrangler Sam Burnett (James Stewart) is hired to deliver Vindicator to the Bowen Ranch. Competing Rancher John Taylor plots to steal the bull. Taylor’s man Deke Simons (Jack Elam) bribes Burnett to hand over the bull. Burnett takes the bribe to repay a fellow wrangler injured when Taylor double crossed him. Burnett plans to return the favor.
The Evans women decide to accompany Vindicator to the Bowen ranch. Burnett objects but eventually agrees to take them. When Burnett fails to deliver the bull, Simon figures out the double cross. He sees opportunity to steal the bribe money and the bull’s purchase price. On the trail they meet Jamie Bowen, Alexander’s son driving a herd to start his own ranch. Simon shoots one of Jamie’s wranglers causing a stampede. Jamie is trampled.
Burnett takes Jamie back to the wagon where he finds Simon holding the Evans women hostage for the money. Burnett manages to get Simon’s gun. Simon rides away, falls from his horse on a rock and is killed. They reach the Bowen Ranch where Hilary takes to nursing Jamie while a romantic triangle develops between Bowen, Burnett, and Martha.
Both Bowen and Burnett question whether the Herford is hardy enough for rough Texas range conditions including the winters. To prove Vindicator’s worth, Hilary releases him to the wild. With Vindicator up to his fate Martha declares it is time for the women to leave. Jamie declares his love for Hilary. Hilary loves him too. The women stay.
A brutal winter ensues. Burnett resolves to find the bull and bring him in. Burnett goes missing and is found near frozen to death. In Spring Burnett continues his search for the bull and any crossbred calves that may have dropped. Everyone believes the bull is dead. Bowen tells Burnett he can have any Herford cross breeds he finds. Burnett finds Vindicator dead. He also finds calves, suited for a new style of ranching where cross breeds thrive. Martha declares her love for Burnett and happily ever after Jamie and Hilary wed.
Next Week: Joe Kid
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Ride easy,
Paul
Wrangler Sam Burnett (James Stewart) is hired to deliver Vindicator to the Bowen Ranch. Competing Rancher John Taylor plots to steal the bull. Taylor’s man Deke Simons (Jack Elam) bribes Burnett to hand over the bull. Burnett takes the bribe to repay a fellow wrangler injured when Taylor double crossed him. Burnett plans to return the favor.
The Evans women decide to accompany Vindicator to the Bowen ranch. Burnett objects but eventually agrees to take them. When Burnett fails to deliver the bull, Simon figures out the double cross. He sees opportunity to steal the bribe money and the bull’s purchase price. On the trail they meet Jamie Bowen, Alexander’s son driving a herd to start his own ranch. Simon shoots one of Jamie’s wranglers causing a stampede. Jamie is trampled.
Burnett takes Jamie back to the wagon where he finds Simon holding the Evans women hostage for the money. Burnett manages to get Simon’s gun. Simon rides away, falls from his horse on a rock and is killed. They reach the Bowen Ranch where Hilary takes to nursing Jamie while a romantic triangle develops between Bowen, Burnett, and Martha.
Both Bowen and Burnett question whether the Herford is hardy enough for rough Texas range conditions including the winters. To prove Vindicator’s worth, Hilary releases him to the wild. With Vindicator up to his fate Martha declares it is time for the women to leave. Jamie declares his love for Hilary. Hilary loves him too. The women stay.
A brutal winter ensues. Burnett resolves to find the bull and bring him in. Burnett goes missing and is found near frozen to death. In Spring Burnett continues his search for the bull and any crossbred calves that may have dropped. Everyone believes the bull is dead. Bowen tells Burnett he can have any Herford cross breeds he finds. Burnett finds Vindicator dead. He also finds calves, suited for a new style of ranching where cross breeds thrive. Martha declares her love for Burnett and happily ever after Jamie and Hilary wed.
Next Week: Joe Kid
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 13, 2023
The Battle at Apache Pass
What’s in a preposition? It turns out when it comes to Hollywood and history - everything! The film Battle AT Apache Pass is l o o s e l y based on the civil war Battle OF Apache Pass. What does the film (at) have to do with the battle (of)? Both are set in Apache Pass Arizona Territory in 1862. Cochise is present in both. Geronimo claimed to be at the battle of, but the claim is in dispute. Both involve the first use of artillery against the Apache. And that’s where the historical ‘basis’ ends.
The film pits Fort Buchanan commander Major Colton (John Lund) and his friend Cochise (Jeff Chandler) against corrupt Indian agent Baylor (Bruce Cowling), dishonest scout Mescal Jack (Jack Elam) and renegade chief Geronimo (Jay Silverheels). Geronimo raids are blamed on Cochise’ Chiricahua. Baylor uses this as an excuse to relocate the Chiricahua to the reservation at San Carlos. Cochise calls a council to banish Geronimo.
Baylor and Mescal Jack plot with Geronimo to frame Cochise. While investigating a raid and kidnapping blamed on Cochise Colton’s second in command oversteps his orders confronting Cochise. He hangs three Chiricahua warriors and takes Cochise’ pregnant wife hostage. With the Apache on the warpath Colton closes Fort Buchanan and marches everyone off to safety at Fort Sheridan. The line of march takes the cavalry through Apache Pass. With Cochise holding one wall of the pass and Geronimo the other, the army uses cannon to route the Apache.
The battle OF also passes through Apache Pass. This time it is a Union column in pursuit of Confederate forces being driven out of Arizona. The Union troops need to reach Dragoon Springs east of Apache Pass to obtain much needed water. Apache under Mangas Coloradas and Cochise command the heights on both sides of the pass, blocking passage to lifesaving water.
How do you suppose the Union column breaks through? If you guessed a battery of two 12 pounder mountain howitzers, you’re right! The Apache attribute their defeat to the use of thunder wagons. The cannon roll on wheels.
For some reason Hollywood cannot bring itself to dramatize history. They have to ‘improve on facts’ that don’t need improving; and in the end don’t improve.
Next Week: The Rare Breed
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Ride easy,
Paul
The film pits Fort Buchanan commander Major Colton (John Lund) and his friend Cochise (Jeff Chandler) against corrupt Indian agent Baylor (Bruce Cowling), dishonest scout Mescal Jack (Jack Elam) and renegade chief Geronimo (Jay Silverheels). Geronimo raids are blamed on Cochise’ Chiricahua. Baylor uses this as an excuse to relocate the Chiricahua to the reservation at San Carlos. Cochise calls a council to banish Geronimo.
Baylor and Mescal Jack plot with Geronimo to frame Cochise. While investigating a raid and kidnapping blamed on Cochise Colton’s second in command oversteps his orders confronting Cochise. He hangs three Chiricahua warriors and takes Cochise’ pregnant wife hostage. With the Apache on the warpath Colton closes Fort Buchanan and marches everyone off to safety at Fort Sheridan. The line of march takes the cavalry through Apache Pass. With Cochise holding one wall of the pass and Geronimo the other, the army uses cannon to route the Apache.
The battle OF also passes through Apache Pass. This time it is a Union column in pursuit of Confederate forces being driven out of Arizona. The Union troops need to reach Dragoon Springs east of Apache Pass to obtain much needed water. Apache under Mangas Coloradas and Cochise command the heights on both sides of the pass, blocking passage to lifesaving water.
How do you suppose the Union column breaks through? If you guessed a battery of two 12 pounder mountain howitzers, you’re right! The Apache attribute their defeat to the use of thunder wagons. The cannon roll on wheels.
For some reason Hollywood cannot bring itself to dramatize history. They have to ‘improve on facts’ that don’t need improving; and in the end don’t improve.
Next Week: The Rare Breed
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
