Paul Colt's Blog, page 26
September 19, 2020
Rio Grande
Lieutenant Colonel Kirby Yourke (spelled with an ‘e’ in this film), played by John Wayne commands a fort in Texas, facing renegade Apaches, harassing settlers from sanctuaries across the border in Mexico. As the film opens Yourke’s command captures the renegade leader.
Under his authorized strength, Yourke receives new recruits, his son among them. Yourke hasn’t seen his son in fifteen years since his marriage to the boy’s mother ended. The son, Jeff has recently flunked out of West Point, only to enlist. Jeff expects no favors, serving in his father’s command for which he earns the respect of two veterans, Travis Tyree and Sandy Boone. Tyree is a fugitive ‘hiding out’ in the army. Jeff’s mother, Kathleen (Maureen O’Hara), arrives on post intent on buying out her son’s enlistment. Jeff refuses. Reunion with her estranged husband reopens old wounds. Still the confrontation over their son’s future reawakens old feelings.
Apache’s attack the fort. The attack in repulsed though the renegades succeed in freeing their leader. The long arm of the law catches up with Tyree, forcing him to flee on a stolen horse. Yourke’s commanding officer General Philip Sheridan arrives, ordering Yourke to cross the border into Mexico in pursuit of the Apache. Despite the risk of provoking an international incident and the attendant risk of court martial, Yourke accepts the assignment.
As Yourke moves against the Apache stronghold in Mexico, he learns a wagon load of children on their way to safe haven have been taken by Apache. The fugitive Tyree follows the Apache to their hideout and returns to report their whereabouts to Yourke. Yourke sends Jeff, Tyree and Boone into the Apache stronghold to rescue the kids in advance of his regimental attack. Yourke is wounded in the attack; but the kids are saved. Jeff and his pals are decorated heroes. Kathleen remembers why she fell in love with Yourke.
The story “travels a well rutted road”, according to a NYT review. Kathleen’s relationship with Sheridan is reminiscent of Libbie Custer. The film closes to a regimental review set to ‘Dixie’, a proxy for the regimental song Gerry Owen. Apaches in Texas? How about Comanche?
Next Week: Rio Bravo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Under his authorized strength, Yourke receives new recruits, his son among them. Yourke hasn’t seen his son in fifteen years since his marriage to the boy’s mother ended. The son, Jeff has recently flunked out of West Point, only to enlist. Jeff expects no favors, serving in his father’s command for which he earns the respect of two veterans, Travis Tyree and Sandy Boone. Tyree is a fugitive ‘hiding out’ in the army. Jeff’s mother, Kathleen (Maureen O’Hara), arrives on post intent on buying out her son’s enlistment. Jeff refuses. Reunion with her estranged husband reopens old wounds. Still the confrontation over their son’s future reawakens old feelings.
Apache’s attack the fort. The attack in repulsed though the renegades succeed in freeing their leader. The long arm of the law catches up with Tyree, forcing him to flee on a stolen horse. Yourke’s commanding officer General Philip Sheridan arrives, ordering Yourke to cross the border into Mexico in pursuit of the Apache. Despite the risk of provoking an international incident and the attendant risk of court martial, Yourke accepts the assignment.
As Yourke moves against the Apache stronghold in Mexico, he learns a wagon load of children on their way to safe haven have been taken by Apache. The fugitive Tyree follows the Apache to their hideout and returns to report their whereabouts to Yourke. Yourke sends Jeff, Tyree and Boone into the Apache stronghold to rescue the kids in advance of his regimental attack. Yourke is wounded in the attack; but the kids are saved. Jeff and his pals are decorated heroes. Kathleen remembers why she fell in love with Yourke.
The story “travels a well rutted road”, according to a NYT review. Kathleen’s relationship with Sheridan is reminiscent of Libbie Custer. The film closes to a regimental review set to ‘Dixie’, a proxy for the regimental song Gerry Owen. Apaches in Texas? How about Comanche?
Next Week: Rio Bravo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
September 12, 2020
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
John Ford did not want John Wayne to play the lead in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Wayne would be playing the part of a man twenty years older than he was at the time. Wayne’s Red River performance changed his mind. Ford said, “I didn’t know the big (s.o.b.) could act.” The role became one of Wayne’s personal favorites.
One of the most expensive westerns ever made at the time, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon budgeted at $1.6M. The title is based on a marching song used as a cadence call. Nineteenth century cavalry must have been better singers than the Jodi calls I remember . . . I had a good home and I left; you’re right; I had a good home and I left; you’re right; sound off, one two; sound off, three four . . . I digress.
Retiring Cavalry Captain Nathan Brittles (Wayne) is given one last assignment. Return renegade Cheyenne and Arapaho to the reservation. While you’re at it, deliver the post commander’s wife and daughter to an east bound stage, avoiding the aforesaid uprising. Brittles retirement arrives before the mission is accomplished. Leaving junior officers in the field to complete the mission, Brittles returns to the fort and processes out.
Faced with the prospect of more bloodshed, Brittles, now a civilian, decides to try to broker a peace with old friend Chief Pony That Walks. When Pony and his people fail to see reason, Brittles runs off their horse herd, forcing them to return to the reservation. Leave it to the Duke to accomplish a mission single-handedly a cavalry troop could not. For his fete, Brittles is recalled to service, named Chief of Scouts and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon returned $2.7M on its $1.6M cost. Shot on Ford’s favorite location, Monument Valley, the film received the 1950 Oscar for Best Color Cinematography.
Next Week: Rio Bravo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
One of the most expensive westerns ever made at the time, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon budgeted at $1.6M. The title is based on a marching song used as a cadence call. Nineteenth century cavalry must have been better singers than the Jodi calls I remember . . . I had a good home and I left; you’re right; I had a good home and I left; you’re right; sound off, one two; sound off, three four . . . I digress.
Retiring Cavalry Captain Nathan Brittles (Wayne) is given one last assignment. Return renegade Cheyenne and Arapaho to the reservation. While you’re at it, deliver the post commander’s wife and daughter to an east bound stage, avoiding the aforesaid uprising. Brittles retirement arrives before the mission is accomplished. Leaving junior officers in the field to complete the mission, Brittles returns to the fort and processes out.
Faced with the prospect of more bloodshed, Brittles, now a civilian, decides to try to broker a peace with old friend Chief Pony That Walks. When Pony and his people fail to see reason, Brittles runs off their horse herd, forcing them to return to the reservation. Leave it to the Duke to accomplish a mission single-handedly a cavalry troop could not. For his fete, Brittles is recalled to service, named Chief of Scouts and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon returned $2.7M on its $1.6M cost. Shot on Ford’s favorite location, Monument Valley, the film received the 1950 Oscar for Best Color Cinematography.
Next Week: Rio Bravo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
September 5, 2020
Fort Apache
Inspired by a 1947 James Warner Bellah short story “Massacre”, Fort Apache evokes historical echoes of Custer’s Last Stand and the Fetterman Fight. The critically acclaimed screen play and film are among the first to portray a balanced and sympathetic treatment of Native Americans.
Filmed in 1948, Fort Apache is a frontier outpost undergoing a change of command. To everyone’s surprise, regimental command is given to West Point graduate and Civil War General, Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda). The appointment passes over veteran regimental commander, Captain Kirby York (John Wayne). The arrogant Colonel Thursday is accompanied to his post by his daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple). She becomes attracted to a young officer, son of a Medal of Honor winner Sergeant Major. Thursday forbids his daughter to see a young man he believes beneath her station.
Unrest arises on the Apache reservation under Cochise due to the abuses of an unscrupulous Indian Agent. York urges the Colonel to intervene on behalf of the tribe. Thursday’s by the book regulation treats the Indian agent as a government representative entitled to protection. He has little regard for the Indian plight.
Cochise and his band jump the reservation. Thursday, with a Custer-like glint of glory in his eye, prepared to assault the Apache mountain stronghold. York warns Thursday the mission is suicidal. Thursday relieves York and with Fetterman-like arrogance launches his attack. Thursday’s command is nearly wiped. A few escape, Thursday among them; but others remain pinned down. Thursday returns to the remnant of his command and perishes with them. Cochise spares York and his detachment, believing York to be an honorable man.
Later Lieutenant Colonel Kirby York is preparing to lead a campaign to bring the Apache back to the reservation. A reporter asks if he has seen the painting of Thursday’s Charge. Kirby sets aside his opinion of Thursday’s fool hardy action, acknowledging the gallantry of the Colonel and his command will not be forgotten so long as the regiment serves. References to a painting and regimental history evoke Custer and his beloved Seventh Cavalry. All we need is a few bars of Gerry Owen.
Next Week: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Filmed in 1948, Fort Apache is a frontier outpost undergoing a change of command. To everyone’s surprise, regimental command is given to West Point graduate and Civil War General, Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda). The appointment passes over veteran regimental commander, Captain Kirby York (John Wayne). The arrogant Colonel Thursday is accompanied to his post by his daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple). She becomes attracted to a young officer, son of a Medal of Honor winner Sergeant Major. Thursday forbids his daughter to see a young man he believes beneath her station.
Unrest arises on the Apache reservation under Cochise due to the abuses of an unscrupulous Indian Agent. York urges the Colonel to intervene on behalf of the tribe. Thursday’s by the book regulation treats the Indian agent as a government representative entitled to protection. He has little regard for the Indian plight.
Cochise and his band jump the reservation. Thursday, with a Custer-like glint of glory in his eye, prepared to assault the Apache mountain stronghold. York warns Thursday the mission is suicidal. Thursday relieves York and with Fetterman-like arrogance launches his attack. Thursday’s command is nearly wiped. A few escape, Thursday among them; but others remain pinned down. Thursday returns to the remnant of his command and perishes with them. Cochise spares York and his detachment, believing York to be an honorable man.
Later Lieutenant Colonel Kirby York is preparing to lead a campaign to bring the Apache back to the reservation. A reporter asks if he has seen the painting of Thursday’s Charge. Kirby sets aside his opinion of Thursday’s fool hardy action, acknowledging the gallantry of the Colonel and his command will not be forgotten so long as the regiment serves. References to a painting and regimental history evoke Custer and his beloved Seventh Cavalry. All we need is a few bars of Gerry Owen.
Next Week: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
August 29, 2020
My Darling Clementine
This 1946 classic directed by John Ford, starred Henry Fonda (Wyatt Earp) and Victor Mature (Doc Holiday). The screen play is based on a dime novel ‘biography’ by Stuart Lake, Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal. Hollywood gets its hands on a fictional work and out comes a screen play casually related to historical events by a few common characters. Critics loved it.
The Earp brothers Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan and James drive a herd of cattle through Arizona bound for California. They camp near Tombstone. The three older brothers ride into town leaving young James to mind the herd. The brothers return to find James dead, the herd stolen.
Wyatt takes the marshal’s job in Tombstone determined to avenge James’ death. There he confronts a troublesome Doc Holiday and members of the Clanton gang. Doc’s long lost lover, Clementine Carter hit’s town. Doc’s current love, Chihuahua takes hot tempered exception. Doc doesn’t want Clem back and leaves town when she won’t. Angry Doc has run off, Chihuahua gets into a cat fight with Clem. Wyatt breaks it up. He notices Chihuahua wears a silver cross taken from James body. A vengeful Chihuahua claims Doc gave it to her.
Wyatt chases down Doc and confronts him. Doc draws. Wyatt shoots the gun out of his hand (cringe). They return to Tombstone, where Chihuahua admits she got the cross from Billy Clanton. Billy shoots Chihuahua through the saloon window and rides off. Wyatt sends Virgil after Billy who heads for home and dies. Old man Clanton shoots Virgil in the back. The Clantons ride into Tombstone, dump Virgil’s body in the street and send word to the Earps, they’ll be at the O.K. Corral. All the Clantons get killed along with Doc in the film.
Critics regard My Darling Clementine as one of John Ford best films. Henry Fonda considered it one of his best performances. It was legendary director Sam Peckinpah’s favorite western. It has its place in Library of Congress National Film Registry. You know there’s a ‘but’ coming.
With all the drama and depth of character in the actual historical events, why scramble the eggs with a Lake based script? We know the real story. To me, this one is a swing and a miss.
Next Week: Fort Apache
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
The Earp brothers Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan and James drive a herd of cattle through Arizona bound for California. They camp near Tombstone. The three older brothers ride into town leaving young James to mind the herd. The brothers return to find James dead, the herd stolen.
Wyatt takes the marshal’s job in Tombstone determined to avenge James’ death. There he confronts a troublesome Doc Holiday and members of the Clanton gang. Doc’s long lost lover, Clementine Carter hit’s town. Doc’s current love, Chihuahua takes hot tempered exception. Doc doesn’t want Clem back and leaves town when she won’t. Angry Doc has run off, Chihuahua gets into a cat fight with Clem. Wyatt breaks it up. He notices Chihuahua wears a silver cross taken from James body. A vengeful Chihuahua claims Doc gave it to her.
Wyatt chases down Doc and confronts him. Doc draws. Wyatt shoots the gun out of his hand (cringe). They return to Tombstone, where Chihuahua admits she got the cross from Billy Clanton. Billy shoots Chihuahua through the saloon window and rides off. Wyatt sends Virgil after Billy who heads for home and dies. Old man Clanton shoots Virgil in the back. The Clantons ride into Tombstone, dump Virgil’s body in the street and send word to the Earps, they’ll be at the O.K. Corral. All the Clantons get killed along with Doc in the film.
Critics regard My Darling Clementine as one of John Ford best films. Henry Fonda considered it one of his best performances. It was legendary director Sam Peckinpah’s favorite western. It has its place in Library of Congress National Film Registry. You know there’s a ‘but’ coming.
With all the drama and depth of character in the actual historical events, why scramble the eggs with a Lake based script? We know the real story. To me, this one is a swing and a miss.
Next Week: Fort Apache
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
August 22, 2020
The Ox-Bow Incident
In research for my Great Western Detective League series based on actual cases of the Rocky Mountain Detective Association, I learned how common lynching was in the nineteenth century west. Seen in that light, the dramatic last lines of the film take on powerful effect.
Drifters Art Croft (Harry Morgan) and Gil Carter (Henry Fonda) ride into Bridger’s Wells Nevada. They tie-up at Darby’s saloon where the atmosphere is tense as a result of a recent rash of cattle-rustling. Strangers Art and Gil are greeted with suspicion. News arrives a local rancher named Kinkaid has been murdered. Rustlers are suspected. A sheriff’s deputy organizes a posse. Art and
Gil join to avoid suspicion.
The posse gets a tip, three men with a herd bearing Kinkaid’s brand have been seen near Ox-Bow Canyon. That night the men are apprehended in the canyon.
One of them, a young man named Martin (Dana Andrews), claims he bought the herd from Kinkaid; but does not have a bill of sale. A second man is recognized as gambler, Francisco Morez (Anthony Quinn). He is found in possession of Kinkaid’s gun. A vote is taken on returning the three to stand trial or hanging them in the morning. Art and Gil, along with a few others vote to take them in for trial. The vote is for hanging. Martin writes a letter to his wife and gives it to the only member of the posse he trusts.
Gil tries to stop the lynching; but is overpowered. After the hangings the posse rides back toward Bridger’s Wells. Along the way they meet the Sheriff returning to town. He informs them Kinkaid is alive and the men who shot him are under arrest. The posse returns to Darby’s saloon. Gil reads Martin’s letter. In it he expresses sorrow for posse members “Who will live with what they have done for the rest of their lives.”
The Ox-Bow Incident was one of Henry Fonda’s favorite films. Critics generally gave it favorable reviews despite a story Variety called a “Powerful preachment against mob lynching”. Nominated for Best Picture, The Ox-Bow Incident lost to Casablanca. Though a box office bust, the film is preserved in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Next Week: My Darling Clementine
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Drifters Art Croft (Harry Morgan) and Gil Carter (Henry Fonda) ride into Bridger’s Wells Nevada. They tie-up at Darby’s saloon where the atmosphere is tense as a result of a recent rash of cattle-rustling. Strangers Art and Gil are greeted with suspicion. News arrives a local rancher named Kinkaid has been murdered. Rustlers are suspected. A sheriff’s deputy organizes a posse. Art and
Gil join to avoid suspicion.
The posse gets a tip, three men with a herd bearing Kinkaid’s brand have been seen near Ox-Bow Canyon. That night the men are apprehended in the canyon.
One of them, a young man named Martin (Dana Andrews), claims he bought the herd from Kinkaid; but does not have a bill of sale. A second man is recognized as gambler, Francisco Morez (Anthony Quinn). He is found in possession of Kinkaid’s gun. A vote is taken on returning the three to stand trial or hanging them in the morning. Art and Gil, along with a few others vote to take them in for trial. The vote is for hanging. Martin writes a letter to his wife and gives it to the only member of the posse he trusts.
Gil tries to stop the lynching; but is overpowered. After the hangings the posse rides back toward Bridger’s Wells. Along the way they meet the Sheriff returning to town. He informs them Kinkaid is alive and the men who shot him are under arrest. The posse returns to Darby’s saloon. Gil reads Martin’s letter. In it he expresses sorrow for posse members “Who will live with what they have done for the rest of their lives.”
The Ox-Bow Incident was one of Henry Fonda’s favorite films. Critics generally gave it favorable reviews despite a story Variety called a “Powerful preachment against mob lynching”. Nominated for Best Picture, The Ox-Bow Incident lost to Casablanca. Though a box office bust, the film is preserved in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Next Week: My Darling Clementine
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
August 15, 2020
They Died with Their Boots On
Historians marvel at George Armstrong Custer’s heroic image. All owed to the burnished biographies an adorning Libbie Custer commissioned after her husband’s death; but let Hollywood get hold of the story and you get a tragic end to a legendary hero.
The film opens with Custer’s (Flynn) undistinguished West Point career. He managed to achieve last in his class when civil war called him to service. He finds his way to the cavalry courtesy of Gen. Winfield Scott (according to the film). Later events attributed to Gen. Scott actually belong to Gen. Phillip Sheridan. Custer’s daring in battle, gains rapid promotion to Brigadier General.
He courts Libbie (de Haviland) and manages to win her hand after the war over her father’s objection. He grows bored with civilian life. Libbie persuades Gen. Scott to give him a regimental command. Custer is recommissioned Lt. Colonel and posted to the 7th cavalry in Dakota Territory. This is as far as history goes. The rest of the film is revisionist fiction.
Custer arrives at Fort Lincoln in time to shut down a crooked suttler running the trading-post, selling repeating rifles to the Lakota. He cleans up his regiment to the tune of Garryowen in time to do battle with Crazy Horse (Anthony Quinn). Custer and Crazy Horse make peace to protect the Black Hills, land sacred to the Lakota.
Meanwhile the suttler, with his trading–post business ruined and aided by a crooked Indian agent, spreads rumors of gold in the Black Hills. His aim is a gold rush and the customers that come with it. Outraged at the treaty violation, Custer gets himself relieved of command. He goes to Washington and presents his case to a congress less interested in treaties than gold. Custer takes his plea to fellow soldier, President Grant. Grant reinstates Custer.
Custer returns to Fort Abraham Lincoln to find the Black Hills overrun with illegal prospectors and Crazy Horse on the warpath. After an emotional farewell with Libbie, Custer and the gallant men of the 7th ride off to meet tragic fate that awaits.
My book, Grasshoppers in Summer, recounts the actual history. This film is a Hollywood hoot.
Next Week: The Ox-Bow Incident
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
The film opens with Custer’s (Flynn) undistinguished West Point career. He managed to achieve last in his class when civil war called him to service. He finds his way to the cavalry courtesy of Gen. Winfield Scott (according to the film). Later events attributed to Gen. Scott actually belong to Gen. Phillip Sheridan. Custer’s daring in battle, gains rapid promotion to Brigadier General.
He courts Libbie (de Haviland) and manages to win her hand after the war over her father’s objection. He grows bored with civilian life. Libbie persuades Gen. Scott to give him a regimental command. Custer is recommissioned Lt. Colonel and posted to the 7th cavalry in Dakota Territory. This is as far as history goes. The rest of the film is revisionist fiction.
Custer arrives at Fort Lincoln in time to shut down a crooked suttler running the trading-post, selling repeating rifles to the Lakota. He cleans up his regiment to the tune of Garryowen in time to do battle with Crazy Horse (Anthony Quinn). Custer and Crazy Horse make peace to protect the Black Hills, land sacred to the Lakota.
Meanwhile the suttler, with his trading–post business ruined and aided by a crooked Indian agent, spreads rumors of gold in the Black Hills. His aim is a gold rush and the customers that come with it. Outraged at the treaty violation, Custer gets himself relieved of command. He goes to Washington and presents his case to a congress less interested in treaties than gold. Custer takes his plea to fellow soldier, President Grant. Grant reinstates Custer.
Custer returns to Fort Abraham Lincoln to find the Black Hills overrun with illegal prospectors and Crazy Horse on the warpath. After an emotional farewell with Libbie, Custer and the gallant men of the 7th ride off to meet tragic fate that awaits.
My book, Grasshoppers in Summer, recounts the actual history. This film is a Hollywood hoot.
Next Week: The Ox-Bow Incident
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
August 8, 2020
The Westerner
The Westerner stars Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan. When Cooper learned Brennan was cast as Judge Roy Bean, he tried to beg out of the film, thinking his role would be totally upstaged by the talented Brennan. Samuel Goldwyn held Cooper to his contract.
Historically accurate in some respects, the film is set in 1882 Vinegaroon, Texas, a town run by the self-appointed ‘Only law west of the Pecos’, ‘Hanging Judge’ Roy Bean (Brennan). Bean has a good gig going between fines and land seizures all run out of a kangaroo-like court held in his Jersey Lilly Saloon. ‘Jersey Lilly’ is named for the actress Lilly Langtry, with whom the judge was deeply infatuated. So much so, Vinegaroon would be mercifully renamed Langtry. We probably have the writing of Stuart Lake to thank for that bit of historical accuracy; but that’s about as far as the accuracy goes.
Cole Harden (Cooper) is a drifter charged with horse theft. He is a prime candidate for one of Bean’s “Suspended sentences” at the end of a rope. Knowing Bean’s affection for Langtry, the clever Harden convinces the judge he knows the actress well and has a lock of her hair among his possessions in El Paso. He promises the lock to the judge if he suspends sentence long enough for it to arrive. Bean takes a liking to Harden and plays along, though the relationship becomes stained when Harden sides with the beautiful romantic interest who leads a group of homesteaders in opposition to Bean and his cattle-ranching constituents.
Bean learns that none other than Lilly Langtry herself is scheduled to appear in a nearby town. Bean buys out all the tickets for her performance and along with an entourage of his pals takes himself off to the show. There he finds newly deputized sheriff, Harden waiting to arrest him. The obligatory show down gunfight breaks out and Bean is mortally wounded. In a final act of friendship, Harden carries the judge backstage where he meets the love of his life in death.
In a postscript to Cooper’s apprehension about appearing with Brennan, the two worked so well together they went on to make five more films together.
Next Week: They Died With Their Boots On
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
Historically accurate in some respects, the film is set in 1882 Vinegaroon, Texas, a town run by the self-appointed ‘Only law west of the Pecos’, ‘Hanging Judge’ Roy Bean (Brennan). Bean has a good gig going between fines and land seizures all run out of a kangaroo-like court held in his Jersey Lilly Saloon. ‘Jersey Lilly’ is named for the actress Lilly Langtry, with whom the judge was deeply infatuated. So much so, Vinegaroon would be mercifully renamed Langtry. We probably have the writing of Stuart Lake to thank for that bit of historical accuracy; but that’s about as far as the accuracy goes.
Cole Harden (Cooper) is a drifter charged with horse theft. He is a prime candidate for one of Bean’s “Suspended sentences” at the end of a rope. Knowing Bean’s affection for Langtry, the clever Harden convinces the judge he knows the actress well and has a lock of her hair among his possessions in El Paso. He promises the lock to the judge if he suspends sentence long enough for it to arrive. Bean takes a liking to Harden and plays along, though the relationship becomes stained when Harden sides with the beautiful romantic interest who leads a group of homesteaders in opposition to Bean and his cattle-ranching constituents.
Bean learns that none other than Lilly Langtry herself is scheduled to appear in a nearby town. Bean buys out all the tickets for her performance and along with an entourage of his pals takes himself off to the show. There he finds newly deputized sheriff, Harden waiting to arrest him. The obligatory show down gunfight breaks out and Bean is mortally wounded. In a final act of friendship, Harden carries the judge backstage where he meets the love of his life in death.
In a postscript to Cooper’s apprehension about appearing with Brennan, the two worked so well together they went on to make five more films together.
Next Week: They Died With Their Boots On
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
August 1, 2020
Dodge City
Arrival of the railroad and the Great Western Cattle Trail turned Dodge City into the king of the cow-towns. That’s the historical backdrop to the film. Hollywood takes it from there. Wade Hatton (Errol Flynn) along with trusted sidekicks Rusty and Tex, lead a band of settlers bound for Dodge, among them the lovely Abbie Irving (Olivia de Havilland). Upon arriving in Dodge, they find a town terrorized by its outlaw element, led by the Surrett gang. Hatton is asked to pin on a sheriff’s badge and tame the town. He declines.
When a young boy is accidentally killed in an outburst of outlaw violence, Hatton reconsiders assisted by deputies Rusty and Tex. Hatton and Abbie are befriended by newspaper editor, Joe Clemens. Together they uncover enough evidence on Surrett and his gang to bring a case against them to court. Clemens prepares an editorial expose; but is shot in the back by Yancy, one of Surrett’s gunmen.
Hatton persuades Abbie to leave Dodge for her safety and arrests Yancy (Victor Jory) for Clemens’ murder. Awaiting trial, the town turns on the accused, threatening lynch-mob justice. Hatton and Rusty smuggle Yancy out of jail in a hearse. They take him to the depot, hoping for safe passage out of town on the train Abbie is leaving on. Surrett and his gang are waiting for them. A gun fight breaks out, along with a fire in the baggage car. Surrett uses Abbie as a shield to obtain Yancy’s release. He locks Hatton, Abbie and Rusty in the burning rail car. The trio escape the burning car. Hatton and Rusty take down Surrett and his gang as they flee.
With order restored in Dodge, Hatton is asked to take on another tough town, Virginia City Nevada. Hatton and Abbie accept the ‘happily-ever-after’ ending. The film grossed $2.532M on a budget of $1.06M. A good return by depression standards.
Next Week: The Westerner
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
When a young boy is accidentally killed in an outburst of outlaw violence, Hatton reconsiders assisted by deputies Rusty and Tex. Hatton and Abbie are befriended by newspaper editor, Joe Clemens. Together they uncover enough evidence on Surrett and his gang to bring a case against them to court. Clemens prepares an editorial expose; but is shot in the back by Yancy, one of Surrett’s gunmen.
Hatton persuades Abbie to leave Dodge for her safety and arrests Yancy (Victor Jory) for Clemens’ murder. Awaiting trial, the town turns on the accused, threatening lynch-mob justice. Hatton and Rusty smuggle Yancy out of jail in a hearse. They take him to the depot, hoping for safe passage out of town on the train Abbie is leaving on. Surrett and his gang are waiting for them. A gun fight breaks out, along with a fire in the baggage car. Surrett uses Abbie as a shield to obtain Yancy’s release. He locks Hatton, Abbie and Rusty in the burning rail car. The trio escape the burning car. Hatton and Rusty take down Surrett and his gang as they flee.
With order restored in Dodge, Hatton is asked to take on another tough town, Virginia City Nevada. Hatton and Abbie accept the ‘happily-ever-after’ ending. The film grossed $2.532M on a budget of $1.06M. A good return by depression standards.
Next Week: The Westerner
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
July 25, 2020
Stagecoach ('66)
What must John Wayne have thought when they remade John Ford’s 1939 black and white classic in color with little known Alex Cord in his role as The Ringo Kid? I’ll guess the Duke took it in stride. Wayne was a big star by then, no small thanks to John Ford and the Stagecoach that launched his ‘A’ list career.
The remake followed the story line of the original screen play, other than moving the setting from Arizona/New Mexico to a Wyoming run from Dry Fork to Cheyenne. Most notably the remake featured a star-powered cast with box office appeal. We knew John Wayne and Andy Divine from the original cast with a vague recollection of Claire Trevor and John Carradine. The remake cast Red Buttons as the Whiskey Drummer Preacher, Bing Crosby as the alcoholic Doc, Van Heflin as Marshall Wilcox, Slim Pickens for Divine’s Driver, Stefanie Powers as the expectant mother and Keenan Wynn as the killer Luke Plummer. Buttons and Crosby added touches of humor to their character interpretations.
With all that going for the film you’d figure you had a winner. If you did, you figured wrong. Critics panned the retake. Despite all the star-power, the original was judged so superior as to render the reprise poor porridge. The box office seemed to agree, returning a modest $4.0M on a $3.5M budget, a tad over 14% ROI. Not the stuff Academy Awards are made of.
Next Week: Dodge City
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Ride easy,
Paul
The remake followed the story line of the original screen play, other than moving the setting from Arizona/New Mexico to a Wyoming run from Dry Fork to Cheyenne. Most notably the remake featured a star-powered cast with box office appeal. We knew John Wayne and Andy Divine from the original cast with a vague recollection of Claire Trevor and John Carradine. The remake cast Red Buttons as the Whiskey Drummer Preacher, Bing Crosby as the alcoholic Doc, Van Heflin as Marshall Wilcox, Slim Pickens for Divine’s Driver, Stefanie Powers as the expectant mother and Keenan Wynn as the killer Luke Plummer. Buttons and Crosby added touches of humor to their character interpretations.
With all that going for the film you’d figure you had a winner. If you did, you figured wrong. Critics panned the retake. Despite all the star-power, the original was judged so superior as to render the reprise poor porridge. The box office seemed to agree, returning a modest $4.0M on a $3.5M budget, a tad over 14% ROI. Not the stuff Academy Awards are made of.
Next Week: Dodge City
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Ride easy,
Paul
July 18, 2020
Stagecoach ('39)
In 1937 John Ford optioned rights to Ernest Haycox’ short story The Stage to Lordsburg. Ford saw the potential for a powerful film with the perfect actor to lead it, a virtually unknown B western actor, John Wayne. Ford shopped the project; but couldn’t sell it with Wayne in the lead. Ford wouldn’t have it any other way. Persistence paid off with a shoe-string budget from a small production company.
The story throws a troupe of travelers together on a stage bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico Territory. Each of them brings their own story and in some cases secrets to the journey. Wayne plays The Ringo Kid, an escaped convict bent on avenging his father’s and brother’s murders, who finds himself in the custody of his friend, Marshal Curly Wilcox. Wayne plays opposite romantic lead Claire Trevor as Dallas, a prostitute. Others in the cast include a whiskey salesman posing as a preacher, a gambler, a banker wanted for embezzlement, an expectant mother, an alcoholic doctor and of course a stage driver, played by Andy Devine. Add a little Apache warpath to the mix and you’ve got the makin’s of a story.
Along the way, a promised cavalry escort misses the stage. The travelers vote to continue on their way. The pregnant army wife goes into labor with the sobered-up Doc delivering her bundle of joy, assisted by the prostitute. Ringo and Dallas fall in love. Ringo proposes. Eventually Dallas accepts, agreeing to meet him at a ranch he owns in Mexico. Ringo escapes, only to return at the sight of smoke sign signaling Apache attack. The Apache attack, a harrowing chase ensues racing to dark climax, saved by the cavalry. Arriving in Lordsburg, Ringo shoots it out with his father and brother’s killers. Marshal Wilcox looks the other way as Ringo and Dallas escape into Mexico.
Stagecoach (’39) is listed in the Library of Congress, National Film Registry for its cultural and historic importance. Cultural significance notwithstanding, the film comes in for criticism for its portrayal of Native Americans. These days we can find an ‘ism’ for everything.
Next Week: Stagecoach (’66)
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
The story throws a troupe of travelers together on a stage bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico Territory. Each of them brings their own story and in some cases secrets to the journey. Wayne plays The Ringo Kid, an escaped convict bent on avenging his father’s and brother’s murders, who finds himself in the custody of his friend, Marshal Curly Wilcox. Wayne plays opposite romantic lead Claire Trevor as Dallas, a prostitute. Others in the cast include a whiskey salesman posing as a preacher, a gambler, a banker wanted for embezzlement, an expectant mother, an alcoholic doctor and of course a stage driver, played by Andy Devine. Add a little Apache warpath to the mix and you’ve got the makin’s of a story.
Along the way, a promised cavalry escort misses the stage. The travelers vote to continue on their way. The pregnant army wife goes into labor with the sobered-up Doc delivering her bundle of joy, assisted by the prostitute. Ringo and Dallas fall in love. Ringo proposes. Eventually Dallas accepts, agreeing to meet him at a ranch he owns in Mexico. Ringo escapes, only to return at the sight of smoke sign signaling Apache attack. The Apache attack, a harrowing chase ensues racing to dark climax, saved by the cavalry. Arriving in Lordsburg, Ringo shoots it out with his father and brother’s killers. Marshal Wilcox looks the other way as Ringo and Dallas escape into Mexico.
Stagecoach (’39) is listed in the Library of Congress, National Film Registry for its cultural and historic importance. Cultural significance notwithstanding, the film comes in for criticism for its portrayal of Native Americans. These days we can find an ‘ism’ for everything.
Next Week: Stagecoach (’66)
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
