Paul Colt's Blog, page 14
January 28, 2023
The Man from Laramie
Will Lockhart (Jimmy Stewart) delivers a wagon load of freight to the small town of Coronado. He is actually on a mission to find those responsible for selling repeating rifles to the Apache, who use them to devastating effect on the cavalry including the death of Lockhart’s younger brother.
Barbara Waggoman, niece to Alec Waggoman, owner of the Barb Ranch, largest ranch holding in the territory, tells Lockhart he can harvest salt and freight it away. Waggoman’s hot tempered son, Dave accuses Lockhart of stealing the salt. He shoots Lockhart’s mules and burns his three wagons. Lockhart beats Dave in a fistfight along with Barb foreman Vic Hansbro. Alec arrives and offers to pay for Lockhart’s losses. He blames Vic for not keeping a lid on Dave.
Lockhart continues his search for the gunrunners, leading to another clash with Dave. Both are wounded.
Vic goes after Dave, who is the gunrunner. Vic kills Dave in a gunfight. Vic tells Alec Lockhart killed his son. Alec discovers Dave has been stealing ranch receipts to pay for rifles he suspects are being sold to the Apache. He is determined to get to the bottom of it. Vic who is in on the gunrunning attacks Alec on the trail, leaving him for dead.
Lockhart finds Alec and takes him to a neighboring ranch, where Alec’s former fiancé, Kate Canady nurses him back to health. He tells Lockhart Dave and Vic are the gunrunners. Lockhart catches up with Vic smoke signaling the Apache to come for their guns. Lockhart forces Vic to help him push the wagon load of guns over a cliff to destroy them. Lockhart lets Vic go. Riding away Vic is killed by the Apache. Alec and Kate are reunited. Barbara heads back east by way of Lockhart in Laramie.
The film, directed by Anthony Mann was the fifth in a series of collaborations between Mann and Jimmy Stewart and the last. The two had a falling out over the quality of 1957’s Night Passage.
Next Week: Seven Men from Now
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Ride easy,
Paul
Barbara Waggoman, niece to Alec Waggoman, owner of the Barb Ranch, largest ranch holding in the territory, tells Lockhart he can harvest salt and freight it away. Waggoman’s hot tempered son, Dave accuses Lockhart of stealing the salt. He shoots Lockhart’s mules and burns his three wagons. Lockhart beats Dave in a fistfight along with Barb foreman Vic Hansbro. Alec arrives and offers to pay for Lockhart’s losses. He blames Vic for not keeping a lid on Dave.
Lockhart continues his search for the gunrunners, leading to another clash with Dave. Both are wounded.
Vic goes after Dave, who is the gunrunner. Vic kills Dave in a gunfight. Vic tells Alec Lockhart killed his son. Alec discovers Dave has been stealing ranch receipts to pay for rifles he suspects are being sold to the Apache. He is determined to get to the bottom of it. Vic who is in on the gunrunning attacks Alec on the trail, leaving him for dead.
Lockhart finds Alec and takes him to a neighboring ranch, where Alec’s former fiancé, Kate Canady nurses him back to health. He tells Lockhart Dave and Vic are the gunrunners. Lockhart catches up with Vic smoke signaling the Apache to come for their guns. Lockhart forces Vic to help him push the wagon load of guns over a cliff to destroy them. Lockhart lets Vic go. Riding away Vic is killed by the Apache. Alec and Kate are reunited. Barbara heads back east by way of Lockhart in Laramie.
The film, directed by Anthony Mann was the fifth in a series of collaborations between Mann and Jimmy Stewart and the last. The two had a falling out over the quality of 1957’s Night Passage.
Next Week: Seven Men from Now
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
January 21, 2023
The Toll Gate
Back when we introduced this series, we said some of these ‘Not so classics’ are so not classic there may not be enough bio to do a post. This could have been one of those. Fortunately, The Toll Gate stars William S. Hart. Hart comes in for a couple of cameos in my book Friends Call Me Bat.
Before he turned to film Hart got his start on Broadway in the role of a westerner. Bat Masterson, a sportswriter in New York in later life, saw the play and thought Hart a believable western character. High praise from Bat. The Toll Gate is the first film Hart produced with his own production company in 1920. He employed a ‘technical advisor’ on his films, a friend of Bat by the name of Wyatt Earp. Around the time he was making The Toll Gate, Hart visited Bat in New York. They had lunch and hit it off quite well. Hart asked Bat if he would appear in one of his films. Bat declined. So did Wyatt.
Oh, and Toll Gate? Hart played outlaw going straight Black Deering. He is turned in by gang member Tom Jordan and arrested. Deering escapes and heads to Mexico. Along the way he stops in a small town for supplies where he encounters Jordan. The confrontation results in the town burning down. How you ask – don’t know, bio didn’t say. See what we mean about obscure.
Deering is now on the run with a posse on his trail. He takes shelter with a widow and her small son. Deering and the widow fall in love. The posse catches up. The widow says Deering is her husband. The sheriff doesn’t buy it. When the sheriff and his posse stay the night, Deering confesses. Jordan and the gang attack, Deering offers to fight with the posse. He does and kills Jordan, who turns out to be the widow’s missing husband.
Deering is freed for his part in beating off the attackers. He declines to marry the widow for having killed her husband. The ending is unique in Hart films, lacking the proverbial ‘Happily ever after’.
The Toll Gate is enshrined in the Library of Congress Museum of Modern Art film archive. More than a little to be said for a silent film.
Next Week: The Man from Laramie
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Ride easy,
Paul
Before he turned to film Hart got his start on Broadway in the role of a westerner. Bat Masterson, a sportswriter in New York in later life, saw the play and thought Hart a believable western character. High praise from Bat. The Toll Gate is the first film Hart produced with his own production company in 1920. He employed a ‘technical advisor’ on his films, a friend of Bat by the name of Wyatt Earp. Around the time he was making The Toll Gate, Hart visited Bat in New York. They had lunch and hit it off quite well. Hart asked Bat if he would appear in one of his films. Bat declined. So did Wyatt.
Oh, and Toll Gate? Hart played outlaw going straight Black Deering. He is turned in by gang member Tom Jordan and arrested. Deering escapes and heads to Mexico. Along the way he stops in a small town for supplies where he encounters Jordan. The confrontation results in the town burning down. How you ask – don’t know, bio didn’t say. See what we mean about obscure.
Deering is now on the run with a posse on his trail. He takes shelter with a widow and her small son. Deering and the widow fall in love. The posse catches up. The widow says Deering is her husband. The sheriff doesn’t buy it. When the sheriff and his posse stay the night, Deering confesses. Jordan and the gang attack, Deering offers to fight with the posse. He does and kills Jordan, who turns out to be the widow’s missing husband.
Deering is freed for his part in beating off the attackers. He declines to marry the widow for having killed her husband. The ending is unique in Hart films, lacking the proverbial ‘Happily ever after’.
The Toll Gate is enshrined in the Library of Congress Museum of Modern Art film archive. More than a little to be said for a silent film.
Next Week: The Man from Laramie
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Ride easy,
Paul
January 14, 2023
Ride Lonesome
It all starts with a solid story. Most B western plots became cliché though we enjoyed them anyway. Ride Lonesome has some depth to a story to show off a talented cast. Directed by Budd Boettcher, Ride Lonesome outperforms its B credits. Adding to the appeal is the film debut of one of my favorite western actors, James Coburn, who inspires a character in my Great Western Detective League Series. A signed book to the first person to name him. I digress.
Bounty Hunter Ben Brigade (Randolph Scott) tracks down outlaw Billy John wanted for murder in Santa Cruz. Billy sends one of his men to tell his notorious brother Frank of his arrest. Taking Billy back to Santa Cruz, Brigade comes on a deserted stage stop. The station is not exactly deserted. Outlaw Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts) and his partner Whit (Coburn) are waiting for the inbound stage. The station master’s wife, Carrie Lane (Karen Steele), gets the drop on the pair and orders them to leave. The stage rolls into the yard, crashing into the corral. The driver and passengers are dead, victim of an Apache attack.
Brigade, his prisoner and the two suspected stage robbers take cover in the station expecting the Apache to attack. Boone tells Brigade he and Whit were on Billy’s trail, hoping to catch him for the reward and a pardon for their own outlaw activities. They offer Brigade the reward in return for Billy. Brigade declines. The Indians attack and are run off.
On the trail to Santa Cruz, they meet the Apache. Brigade parlays with the chief who offers to trade a horse for Carrie. Brigade plays along, but when Carrie recognizes the horse as having belonged to her missing husband she screams, and the Indians run off.
A day’s ride from Santa Cruz, Brigade calls a halt to camp beside a hanging tree. Boone is nervous Frank, and his gang will catch up to them. Brigade explains he is really after Frank. When Brigade was sheriff in Santa Cruz, Frank kidnapped his wife and hung her from the tree where they are camped. Frank and his men arrive. Brigade mounts Billy on a horse with a noose around his neck under the hanging tree. He challenges Frank to stop the hanging. Frank fires. Billy’s horse bolts, hanging him. Brigade kills Frank and (Ha, Ha, Hollywood) shoots the rope saving Billy. Brigade turns Billy over to Boone and Whit. As they ride off to Santa Cruz, Brigade burns the tree.
Next Week: The Toll Gate
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Ride easy,
Paul
Bounty Hunter Ben Brigade (Randolph Scott) tracks down outlaw Billy John wanted for murder in Santa Cruz. Billy sends one of his men to tell his notorious brother Frank of his arrest. Taking Billy back to Santa Cruz, Brigade comes on a deserted stage stop. The station is not exactly deserted. Outlaw Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts) and his partner Whit (Coburn) are waiting for the inbound stage. The station master’s wife, Carrie Lane (Karen Steele), gets the drop on the pair and orders them to leave. The stage rolls into the yard, crashing into the corral. The driver and passengers are dead, victim of an Apache attack.
Brigade, his prisoner and the two suspected stage robbers take cover in the station expecting the Apache to attack. Boone tells Brigade he and Whit were on Billy’s trail, hoping to catch him for the reward and a pardon for their own outlaw activities. They offer Brigade the reward in return for Billy. Brigade declines. The Indians attack and are run off.
On the trail to Santa Cruz, they meet the Apache. Brigade parlays with the chief who offers to trade a horse for Carrie. Brigade plays along, but when Carrie recognizes the horse as having belonged to her missing husband she screams, and the Indians run off.
A day’s ride from Santa Cruz, Brigade calls a halt to camp beside a hanging tree. Boone is nervous Frank, and his gang will catch up to them. Brigade explains he is really after Frank. When Brigade was sheriff in Santa Cruz, Frank kidnapped his wife and hung her from the tree where they are camped. Frank and his men arrive. Brigade mounts Billy on a horse with a noose around his neck under the hanging tree. He challenges Frank to stop the hanging. Frank fires. Billy’s horse bolts, hanging him. Brigade kills Frank and (Ha, Ha, Hollywood) shoots the rope saving Billy. Brigade turns Billy over to Boone and Whit. As they ride off to Santa Cruz, Brigade burns the tree.
Next Week: The Toll Gate
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Ride easy,
Paul
January 8, 2023
Ride Clear of Diablo
I’m a fan of Audie Murphy the man. He was the most decorated hero of WWII, receiving every combat medal the U.S. military awards including the Congressional Medal of Honor. Audi Murphy the actor is pretty good too. The roles he plays tend to be quiet, competent, boy next door characters, honest and trustworthy as the day is long until trouble comes his way. Then lookout. That’s Clay O’Mara in Ride Clear of Diablo.
Clay is working as a surveyor when he receives word his father and brother have been killed by rustlers. He returns home to avenge their deaths. Ranch hands tell him they were being entertained by dance hall girl, Kate (Abby Lane) at the time of the rustler’s raid. Clay asks the sheriff to deputize him so he can go after the killers. At first the sheriff refuses but later changes his mind when his partner in the rustling and murder, a lawyer suggests he deputize Clay and send him off on a false trail after a gunman named Kinkaid (Dan Durea) in nearby Diablo. They figure Kinkaid will kill Clay and they will be done with his meddling.
Clay rides to Diablo to confront Kinkaid, who denies having anything to do with the rustling and murder. Clay beats him to the draw and arrests him. Taking his prisoner back to face charges, Clay foils Kinkaid’s attempt to escape and successfully fights off three of Kinkaid’s men in a bid to free him. Kinkaid is impressed with the young man’s grit, determination, and competence.
Clay learns the sheriff and lawyer put Kate up to distracting the O’Mara ranch hands, making them suspects in the rustling and killing. Kinkaid is an amused observer as Clay goes after the guilty. When the guilty go to gunfighting, Kinkaid steps in to aid Clay. Kinkaid is killed saving Clay by his selfless final act.
Next Week: Ride Lonesome
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Ride easy,
Paul
Clay is working as a surveyor when he receives word his father and brother have been killed by rustlers. He returns home to avenge their deaths. Ranch hands tell him they were being entertained by dance hall girl, Kate (Abby Lane) at the time of the rustler’s raid. Clay asks the sheriff to deputize him so he can go after the killers. At first the sheriff refuses but later changes his mind when his partner in the rustling and murder, a lawyer suggests he deputize Clay and send him off on a false trail after a gunman named Kinkaid (Dan Durea) in nearby Diablo. They figure Kinkaid will kill Clay and they will be done with his meddling.
Clay rides to Diablo to confront Kinkaid, who denies having anything to do with the rustling and murder. Clay beats him to the draw and arrests him. Taking his prisoner back to face charges, Clay foils Kinkaid’s attempt to escape and successfully fights off three of Kinkaid’s men in a bid to free him. Kinkaid is impressed with the young man’s grit, determination, and competence.
Clay learns the sheriff and lawyer put Kate up to distracting the O’Mara ranch hands, making them suspects in the rustling and killing. Kinkaid is an amused observer as Clay goes after the guilty. When the guilty go to gunfighting, Kinkaid steps in to aid Clay. Kinkaid is killed saving Clay by his selfless final act.
Next Week: Ride Lonesome
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Ride easy,
Paul
December 31, 2022
The Wizard of Oz
Ever been to Liberal Kansas? I have. Liberal is officially home to Dorothy Gale. Dorothy and Toto lifted off for Oz from a farmhouse near Liberal according to the Visitor’s Bureau. Visit Liberal and you can stroll the yellow brick road and take your selfie with a statue of Dorothy.
The Wizard of Oz is set in the west, at least for takeoff and reentry purposes. You know – “There’s no place like home.” According to Western Writers of America, literature set in the west is western. Kansas is in the west, which makes this classic western enough for me; and I write these posts. Besides, it is a fun story with millions and millions of fans.
Need more proof The Wizard is a western? Professor Marvel (a.k.a. The Wizard) had a traveling medicine show. We did a whole post series on patent medicines and traveling medicine shows in the west. The Wicked Witch of the West rode a hobby horse. OK it was a broom but how many of us have pretended a broom was a horse? She wore a black hat too. The good witch Glinda’s hat was white, though it might have been a crown. Whatever.
We know the story. Dorothy (Judy Garland) runs away from home to save her dog Toto from the biddy on a bicycle Elvira Gulch. Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) persuades her to go home. A tornado hits and the next thing you know, cue the color, Dorothy drops her house on the wicked witch of the west’s sister. For this she collects a vengeful witch, a pair of ruby slippers, and a trip down a yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. On the way to the Emerald City, she adds a scare crow (Ray Bolger) in need of a brain, a tin woodsman (Jack Haley) in need of a heart, and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) in need of a backbone to her collection.
The Great and Powerful Oz challenges them to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West in return for granting all their wishes. This they manage to do by harrowing adventure and a bucket of water that turns her wickedness into a steamy green puddle. Oz of course turns out to be the fraud – we know patent medicine purveyors to be. Enter the ruby slippers, returning Dorothy to Liberal Kansas and a reunion with the cast of her dream, just in time for the cast party.
The Wizard of Oz broke even at the box office but gained critical acclaim. It became an annual classic when released to the small screen. Western enough for this series, though maybe too classic.
Next Week: Ride Clear of Diablo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
The Wizard of Oz is set in the west, at least for takeoff and reentry purposes. You know – “There’s no place like home.” According to Western Writers of America, literature set in the west is western. Kansas is in the west, which makes this classic western enough for me; and I write these posts. Besides, it is a fun story with millions and millions of fans.
Need more proof The Wizard is a western? Professor Marvel (a.k.a. The Wizard) had a traveling medicine show. We did a whole post series on patent medicines and traveling medicine shows in the west. The Wicked Witch of the West rode a hobby horse. OK it was a broom but how many of us have pretended a broom was a horse? She wore a black hat too. The good witch Glinda’s hat was white, though it might have been a crown. Whatever.
We know the story. Dorothy (Judy Garland) runs away from home to save her dog Toto from the biddy on a bicycle Elvira Gulch. Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) persuades her to go home. A tornado hits and the next thing you know, cue the color, Dorothy drops her house on the wicked witch of the west’s sister. For this she collects a vengeful witch, a pair of ruby slippers, and a trip down a yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. On the way to the Emerald City, she adds a scare crow (Ray Bolger) in need of a brain, a tin woodsman (Jack Haley) in need of a heart, and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) in need of a backbone to her collection.
The Great and Powerful Oz challenges them to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West in return for granting all their wishes. This they manage to do by harrowing adventure and a bucket of water that turns her wickedness into a steamy green puddle. Oz of course turns out to be the fraud – we know patent medicine purveyors to be. Enter the ruby slippers, returning Dorothy to Liberal Kansas and a reunion with the cast of her dream, just in time for the cast party.
The Wizard of Oz broke even at the box office but gained critical acclaim. It became an annual classic when released to the small screen. Western enough for this series, though maybe too classic.
Next Week: Ride Clear of Diablo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
December 18, 2022
The Wizard of Oz
Ever been to Liberal Kansas? I have. Liberal is officially home to Dorothy Gale. Dorothy and Toto lifted off for Oz from a farmhouse near Liberal according to the Visitor’s Bureau. Visit Liberal and you can stroll the yellow brick road and take your selfie with a statue of Dorothy.
The Wizard of Oz is set in the west, at least for takeoff and reentry purposes. You know – “There’s no place like home.” According to Western Writers of America, literature set in the west is western. Kansas is in the west, which makes this classic western enough for me; and I write these posts. Besides, it is a fun story with millions and millions of fans.
Need more proof The Wizard is a western? Professor Marvel (a.k.a. The Wizard) had a traveling medicine show. We did a whole post series on patent medicines and traveling medicine shows in the west. The Wicked Witch of the West rode a hobby horse. OK it was a broom but how many of us have pretended a broom was a horse? She wore a black hat too. The good witch Glinda’s hat was white, though it might have been a crown.
We know the story. Dorothy (Judy Garland) runs away from home to save her dog from the biddy on a bicycle Elvira Gulch. Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) persuades her to go home. A tornado hits and the next thing you know, cue the color, Dorothy drops her house on the wicked witch’s sister. For this she collects a vengeful witch, a pair of ruby slippers, and a trip down a yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. On the way to the Emerald City, she collects a scare crow (Ray Bolger) in need of a brain, a tin woodsman (Jack Haley) in need of a heart, and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) in need of a backbone.
The Great and Powerful Oz challenges them to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West in return for granting all their wishes. This they manage to do by harrowing adventure and a bucket of water that turns her wickedness into a steamy green puddle. Oz of course turns out to be a fraud – we know patent medicine purveyors are. Enter the ruby slippers, returning Dorothy to Liberal Kansas and a reunion with the cast members of her dream, just in time for the cast party.
The Wizard of Oz broke even at the box office but gained critical acclaim. It became an annual classic when released to the small screen. Western enough for this series.
Next Week: Ride Clear of Diablo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
The Wizard of Oz is set in the west, at least for takeoff and reentry purposes. You know – “There’s no place like home.” According to Western Writers of America, literature set in the west is western. Kansas is in the west, which makes this classic western enough for me; and I write these posts. Besides, it is a fun story with millions and millions of fans.
Need more proof The Wizard is a western? Professor Marvel (a.k.a. The Wizard) had a traveling medicine show. We did a whole post series on patent medicines and traveling medicine shows in the west. The Wicked Witch of the West rode a hobby horse. OK it was a broom but how many of us have pretended a broom was a horse? She wore a black hat too. The good witch Glinda’s hat was white, though it might have been a crown.
We know the story. Dorothy (Judy Garland) runs away from home to save her dog from the biddy on a bicycle Elvira Gulch. Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) persuades her to go home. A tornado hits and the next thing you know, cue the color, Dorothy drops her house on the wicked witch’s sister. For this she collects a vengeful witch, a pair of ruby slippers, and a trip down a yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. On the way to the Emerald City, she collects a scare crow (Ray Bolger) in need of a brain, a tin woodsman (Jack Haley) in need of a heart, and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) in need of a backbone.
The Great and Powerful Oz challenges them to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West in return for granting all their wishes. This they manage to do by harrowing adventure and a bucket of water that turns her wickedness into a steamy green puddle. Oz of course turns out to be a fraud – we know patent medicine purveyors are. Enter the ruby slippers, returning Dorothy to Liberal Kansas and a reunion with the cast members of her dream, just in time for the cast party.
The Wizard of Oz broke even at the box office but gained critical acclaim. It became an annual classic when released to the small screen. Western enough for this series.
Next Week: Ride Clear of Diablo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
December 10, 2022
The Kid
Hollywood treatments of Billy the Kid range from historically rooted (Young Guns) to fanciful (too numerous to mention). In The Kid we have a historical snippet salad dressing a fictional story. In the fictional story, young Rio Cutler (not going to name actors I never heard of in this one), kills his alcoholic father for beating his mother to death. His uncle Grant attacks Rio in reprisal for murdering his brother. Rio stabs him for his trouble. He and his sister, Sara, escape on a stolen horse. They head for Santa Fe and a friend of their mother.
They encounter Billy the Kid and his gang who are also on the run from Sheriff Pat Garrett. This is where the snippet salad begins. What do I mean by snippet salad? I know Billy the Kid’s historical story. My Bounty trilogy tells it, admittedly with a little fictional glue of its own, but historically accurate for the most part when it comes to the Kid. This film throws in snippets of Kid history seemingly at random. Ride along. You’ll see.
Garrett traps captures the Kid and his gang in a shack along with Rio and Sara. (This snippet rings of Garrett capturing Billy at Stinking Springs.) Garrett agrees to help Rio and Sara reach Santa Fe, though he suspects Rio is hiding something. The posse and prisoners stop at a Mexican ranch where Billy’s lover lives. (If this sounds like Paulita Maxwell – it should.) At dinner, Rio passes Billy the butter, allowing him to slip his shackles in a bid to escape. (The Kid could slip shackles, no butter required. A trick he used to breakout of the Lincoln County Jail.)
Rio and Sara reach Santa Fe. Garrett reaches Lincoln with Billy. Kid gang member Dave Rudabaugh, about to be hanged in Santa Fe tells Rio Billy is about to be hanged in Lincoln. (If this sounds like Dirty Dave Rudabaugh – it should.) Rio steels a horse and a gun and rides to Lincoln to see Billy. He is turned away.
Billy has a plan to escape jail. He does, jumping his guard, Garrett deputy, Bob Olinger on the way to the outhouse. (He did kill Olinger, though the deputy he killed on the way back from the outhouse was J.W. Bell when the Kid slipped his shackles – sound familiar?) Garett catches up with Billy at his pregnant lover’s ranch and kills him.
Rio kills his uncle in a showdown that saves Garrett’s life. Hollywood da-da-da Hollywood . . .
Next Week: Wizard of Oz
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Ride easy,
Paul
They encounter Billy the Kid and his gang who are also on the run from Sheriff Pat Garrett. This is where the snippet salad begins. What do I mean by snippet salad? I know Billy the Kid’s historical story. My Bounty trilogy tells it, admittedly with a little fictional glue of its own, but historically accurate for the most part when it comes to the Kid. This film throws in snippets of Kid history seemingly at random. Ride along. You’ll see.
Garrett traps captures the Kid and his gang in a shack along with Rio and Sara. (This snippet rings of Garrett capturing Billy at Stinking Springs.) Garrett agrees to help Rio and Sara reach Santa Fe, though he suspects Rio is hiding something. The posse and prisoners stop at a Mexican ranch where Billy’s lover lives. (If this sounds like Paulita Maxwell – it should.) At dinner, Rio passes Billy the butter, allowing him to slip his shackles in a bid to escape. (The Kid could slip shackles, no butter required. A trick he used to breakout of the Lincoln County Jail.)
Rio and Sara reach Santa Fe. Garrett reaches Lincoln with Billy. Kid gang member Dave Rudabaugh, about to be hanged in Santa Fe tells Rio Billy is about to be hanged in Lincoln. (If this sounds like Dirty Dave Rudabaugh – it should.) Rio steels a horse and a gun and rides to Lincoln to see Billy. He is turned away.
Billy has a plan to escape jail. He does, jumping his guard, Garrett deputy, Bob Olinger on the way to the outhouse. (He did kill Olinger, though the deputy he killed on the way back from the outhouse was J.W. Bell when the Kid slipped his shackles – sound familiar?) Garett catches up with Billy at his pregnant lover’s ranch and kills him.
Rio kills his uncle in a showdown that saves Garrett’s life. Hollywood da-da-da Hollywood . . .
Next Week: Wizard of Oz
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Ride easy,
Paul
December 3, 2022
Gold of the Seven Saints
Warner Brothers went back to the Clint Walker well with Gold of the Seven Sisters, betting another stack of chips on their popular TV series lead.
Fur trader Jim Rainbolt (Walker) and his partner Shaun Garrett (Roger Moore) find a stash of gold on the trail. A gang of outlaws led by a man named McCracken are hot on the trail of their ill-gotten gains. Rainbolt hides the gold near a large rock. Shaun is wounded in a fight with the McCracken gang. Doc Gates (Chill Wills) happens on the scene to patch him up. The partners cut him in for a share.
They hide out at Amos Gondora’s ranch. Gondora is an old friend of Rainbolt. McCracken and his men stampede Gondora’s herd, creating a diversion to get Rainbolt and the rancher away from the ranch house. The gang raids the ranch, taking Doc and Shaun prisoner. When Doc cannot lead them to the gold he is killed. McCracken tortures Shaun who does not know the location of the gold.
Rainbolt tracks down the gang, killing all of them except McCracken. McCracken forces Rainbolt to surrender, holding a gun to Shaun’s head. Rainbolt is then forced to lead the outlaw to the gold. Rainbolt tells McCracken he cannot move the rock where the gold is hidden alone. He needs McCracken to help. When McCracken puts his shoulder to the rock, Rainbolt rolls a second rock into McCracken’s leg pinning him against the rock he is attempting to move
Rainbolt and Garrett collect the gold, intending to leave McCracken to his fate. Gondora and his men arrive. Having thought over his friendship with Rainbolt, he decides he’d rather have the gold. Jim and Shaun make a run for it. They cross a raging river, losing the bags of gold for their trouble. The boys have an ‘easy come easy go’ laugh at the loss, on the way to returning to fur trading.
The Gold of the Seven Saints also went missing . . . at the box office.
Next Week: The Kid
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Ride easy,
Paul
Fur trader Jim Rainbolt (Walker) and his partner Shaun Garrett (Roger Moore) find a stash of gold on the trail. A gang of outlaws led by a man named McCracken are hot on the trail of their ill-gotten gains. Rainbolt hides the gold near a large rock. Shaun is wounded in a fight with the McCracken gang. Doc Gates (Chill Wills) happens on the scene to patch him up. The partners cut him in for a share.
They hide out at Amos Gondora’s ranch. Gondora is an old friend of Rainbolt. McCracken and his men stampede Gondora’s herd, creating a diversion to get Rainbolt and the rancher away from the ranch house. The gang raids the ranch, taking Doc and Shaun prisoner. When Doc cannot lead them to the gold he is killed. McCracken tortures Shaun who does not know the location of the gold.
Rainbolt tracks down the gang, killing all of them except McCracken. McCracken forces Rainbolt to surrender, holding a gun to Shaun’s head. Rainbolt is then forced to lead the outlaw to the gold. Rainbolt tells McCracken he cannot move the rock where the gold is hidden alone. He needs McCracken to help. When McCracken puts his shoulder to the rock, Rainbolt rolls a second rock into McCracken’s leg pinning him against the rock he is attempting to move
Rainbolt and Garrett collect the gold, intending to leave McCracken to his fate. Gondora and his men arrive. Having thought over his friendship with Rainbolt, he decides he’d rather have the gold. Jim and Shaun make a run for it. They cross a raging river, losing the bags of gold for their trouble. The boys have an ‘easy come easy go’ laugh at the loss, on the way to returning to fur trading.
The Gold of the Seven Saints also went missing . . . at the box office.
Next Week: The Kid
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
November 26, 2022
Yellowstone Kelly
When John Wayne and John Ford turned down the Yellowstone Kelly script, Warner Brothers turned to its successful TV stable of talent. They took Clint Walker from Cheyenne, (Is there a pattern here?), John Russell from The Lawman, and Edd “Kookie” 'lend-me-your-comb' Byrnes from 77 Sunset Strip and the next thing you know, 'crazy-daddy-o', you have a cast.
Trapper Yellowstone Kelly (Walker) and his partner Anse Harper (Byrnes) find a sick Arapaho woman. Wahleeh belongs to Sioux War Chief Gall, who’s nephew, Sayapi covets her for his own. Kelly promises Gall he will care for her over the winter and return her to him in spring. Gall agrees. Sayapi plans to kill Kelly and take his bride.
Over the winter, Kelly cures Wahleeh while they fall in love. Sayapi attacks Kelly’s cabin while he is away trapping. Sayapi takes Wahleeh, leaving Harper for dead. Kelly returns to find his cabin in flames. Harper tells him what happened with his dying breath. Kelly tracks down Sayapi and his band, killing them in a gunfight. Intending to return Wahleeh to Gall in keeping his word they encounter a cavalry troop recently attacked by Gall.
Gall and his warriors return for a second attack on the troops. Gall tells Kelly he will let him go if he gives up Walheeh. Kelly asks Gall to spare the troops. He refuses. Walheeh makes a run for Gall hoping to save Kelly. Her horse falls. Gall and Kelly rush to her side. Each realizing how much the other cares for her. Further bloodshed is avoided when Gall and his men ride away, leaving Walheeh with Kelly.
Next Week: Gold of the Seven Saints
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Ride easy,
Paul
Trapper Yellowstone Kelly (Walker) and his partner Anse Harper (Byrnes) find a sick Arapaho woman. Wahleeh belongs to Sioux War Chief Gall, who’s nephew, Sayapi covets her for his own. Kelly promises Gall he will care for her over the winter and return her to him in spring. Gall agrees. Sayapi plans to kill Kelly and take his bride.
Over the winter, Kelly cures Wahleeh while they fall in love. Sayapi attacks Kelly’s cabin while he is away trapping. Sayapi takes Wahleeh, leaving Harper for dead. Kelly returns to find his cabin in flames. Harper tells him what happened with his dying breath. Kelly tracks down Sayapi and his band, killing them in a gunfight. Intending to return Wahleeh to Gall in keeping his word they encounter a cavalry troop recently attacked by Gall.
Gall and his warriors return for a second attack on the troops. Gall tells Kelly he will let him go if he gives up Walheeh. Kelly asks Gall to spare the troops. He refuses. Walheeh makes a run for Gall hoping to save Kelly. Her horse falls. Gall and Kelly rush to her side. Each realizing how much the other cares for her. Further bloodshed is avoided when Gall and his men ride away, leaving Walheeh with Kelly.
Next Week: Gold of the Seven Saints
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Ride easy,
Paul
November 19, 2022
Fort Dobbs
Gar Davis (Clint Walker) is wanted for a murder he didn’t commit. He is pursued by a posse out of the town of Largo. He comes upon a man killed by Comanche. He changes coats with the dead man and rolls the body off a cliff in hopes the posse will think he is dead.
Gar finds his way to the home of widow Celia Grey (Virginia Mayo). He is wounded by her young son Chad who thinks he is trying to steal a horse. The widow tends the wound. Renegade Comanche attack the house. Gar and the Greys drive them off and make a run for Fort Dobbs on horseback. The Comanche lay an ambush, thwarted when gun runner Clett (Brian Keith) arrives, saving Gar’s life.
On the way to Fort Dobbs, Clett attempts to assault Celia. Gar puts a stop to it, running Clett off. Celia no longer trusts Gar for having discovered the dead man’s jacket which belonged to her husband. Gar and the Grey’s safely reach the fort, leaving them there. Celia and Chad find all the soldiers dead. Gar comes on the people of Largo fleeing the Comanche on the way to Fort Dobbs. He helps them reach the fort and rides out to find help. He comes across Clett and kills him, taking his rifles back to defend the fort. There he explains to Celia how he came to possess her husband’s jacket, much to her romantic relief.
The film opened to mixed reviews and a disappointing box office. Did Walker’s small screen success translate to the big screen? Not on this one. More to come.
Next Week: Yellowstone Kelly
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Ride easy,
Paul
Gar finds his way to the home of widow Celia Grey (Virginia Mayo). He is wounded by her young son Chad who thinks he is trying to steal a horse. The widow tends the wound. Renegade Comanche attack the house. Gar and the Greys drive them off and make a run for Fort Dobbs on horseback. The Comanche lay an ambush, thwarted when gun runner Clett (Brian Keith) arrives, saving Gar’s life.
On the way to Fort Dobbs, Clett attempts to assault Celia. Gar puts a stop to it, running Clett off. Celia no longer trusts Gar for having discovered the dead man’s jacket which belonged to her husband. Gar and the Grey’s safely reach the fort, leaving them there. Celia and Chad find all the soldiers dead. Gar comes on the people of Largo fleeing the Comanche on the way to Fort Dobbs. He helps them reach the fort and rides out to find help. He comes across Clett and kills him, taking his rifles back to defend the fort. There he explains to Celia how he came to possess her husband’s jacket, much to her romantic relief.
The film opened to mixed reviews and a disappointing box office. Did Walker’s small screen success translate to the big screen? Not on this one. More to come.
Next Week: Yellowstone Kelly
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Ride easy,
Paul
