Paul Colt's Blog, page 9
May 12, 2024
Westbound
Westbound is a testament to the importance of the Ranown Cycle. If Ranown weren’t important, one wonders if Boetticher ever would have made the film. He didn’t consider Westbound a Ranown Cycle film and would only discuss it if that point was clearly stated. Why? Boetticher didn’t like the film. Didn’t think it was particularly well done. Then why did he put his name on it? To save the Ranown collaboration with Randolph Scott. Scott had a lingering one film contractual obligation to Warner Brothers hanging over the Ranown productions. Westbound provided a low budget performance to close out the contract. Boetticher agreed to direct to save the Ranown brand.
Union army Captain John Hayes (Scott) is sent to Julesburg Colorado, his hometown, to take over eastbound Overland Stage operations and protect California gold shipments financing the union war effort. Hayes is assigned to replace Clay Putnam who resigned the position, secretly turning to aid the confederacy. He is assisted by an outlaw gunman known as Mace (Michael Pate) and his gang. In a further twist to the connection, Putnam is married to Hayes’s former sweetheart Norma (Virginia Mayo).
Mace has an easy answer to the new Overland Stage master. Kill him. Putnam is afraid of the union response, directing Mace to destroy Overland station and steal gold shipments. Hayes moves Overland operations to a farm owned by union veteran Rod Miller and his wife Jeannie (Karen Steele). Miller lost an arm in combat, making him an easy target for Mace and his men.
Things go bad when Mace drives a stage off a cliff, killing the passengers. Norma blames Putnam for the tragedy. She leaves him, threatening to see him hang if anything happens to Hayes. Mace takes matters into his own hands but mistakes Rod Miller for Hayes and kills him. Putnam, convinced Norma still has feelings for her old flame, confronts Mace in an attempt to stop him from killing Hayes. Mace kills Putnam for his trouble. Able to take care of himself, Hayes kills Mace. In the end it is Norma or Jeannie. You guessed it. Jeannie.
Critical reaction to Westbound may have taken a cue from Boetticher with terms like ‘subdued’ and ‘forgettable.’ With Scott’s obligation cleared it was time to return to the cycle.
Next Week: Comanche Station
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Ride easy,
Paul
Union army Captain John Hayes (Scott) is sent to Julesburg Colorado, his hometown, to take over eastbound Overland Stage operations and protect California gold shipments financing the union war effort. Hayes is assigned to replace Clay Putnam who resigned the position, secretly turning to aid the confederacy. He is assisted by an outlaw gunman known as Mace (Michael Pate) and his gang. In a further twist to the connection, Putnam is married to Hayes’s former sweetheart Norma (Virginia Mayo).
Mace has an easy answer to the new Overland Stage master. Kill him. Putnam is afraid of the union response, directing Mace to destroy Overland station and steal gold shipments. Hayes moves Overland operations to a farm owned by union veteran Rod Miller and his wife Jeannie (Karen Steele). Miller lost an arm in combat, making him an easy target for Mace and his men.
Things go bad when Mace drives a stage off a cliff, killing the passengers. Norma blames Putnam for the tragedy. She leaves him, threatening to see him hang if anything happens to Hayes. Mace takes matters into his own hands but mistakes Rod Miller for Hayes and kills him. Putnam, convinced Norma still has feelings for her old flame, confronts Mace in an attempt to stop him from killing Hayes. Mace kills Putnam for his trouble. Able to take care of himself, Hayes kills Mace. In the end it is Norma or Jeannie. You guessed it. Jeannie.
Critical reaction to Westbound may have taken a cue from Boetticher with terms like ‘subdued’ and ‘forgettable.’ With Scott’s obligation cleared it was time to return to the cycle.
Next Week: Comanche Station
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 5, 2024
Buchanan Rides Alone
Returning to Texas with money to buy his own ranch, Tom Buchanan (Randolph Scott) thinks he’s ‘just passing through’ Agry California when he encounters hot tempered dunk Roy Agry. The town has a family name for a reason. The dust-up ends with the bloodied kid threatening to kill Buchanan. Before Agry can make good his threat, Juan de la Vega rides into town, looking for Agry who assaulted his sister. Knowing what’s coming, Roy goes for his gun. De la Vega kills him. Whereupon Sheriff Lew Agry arrests Juan. When Buchanan objects, Agry arrests him as an accessory to his nephew’s murder.
Juan is taken before Judge Simon Agry, the victim’s aggrieved father, who sees opportunity to extort ransom for Juan’s release from his wealthy father. Juan is duly tried, found guilty and sentenced to hang. Sheriff Agry releases Tom, impounding his ranch money with orders to leave town. The sheriff sends two of his deputies to escort Tom out of town and kill him. One of the men, Pecos Hill turns against the murderous plot. Tom vows to return to Agry for his money with Pecos a partner in his ranch.
Judge Agry’s negotiation with Juan’s Father settles on $50,000, an amount too rich for Sheriff Agry to overlook. – can you imagine an Agry family reunion? Wait for it . . . The sheriff arranges to hide Juan in a shack, Tom and Pecos happen to be using. They overcome the sheriff’s men and spring Juan. Pecos and Juan head for the border while Tom returns to town for his money. The sheriff’s men get loose, kill Pecos and recapture Juan.
Back in Agry the ransom arrives. The Judges sends to the jail for Juan only to be met by his brother’s demand for the ransom. Tom gets the drop on the sheriff forcing him to return his money just in time for the deputies to return with the prisoner. Both Juan and Tom are locked up. The Judge goes to town looking for Juan and the money. The family reunion between judge and sheriff goes to gunplay killing both. Juan returns to Mexico with the ransom. Tom passes through Agry on his way to a ranch in Texas.
Next Week: Westbound
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Ride easy,
Paul
Juan is taken before Judge Simon Agry, the victim’s aggrieved father, who sees opportunity to extort ransom for Juan’s release from his wealthy father. Juan is duly tried, found guilty and sentenced to hang. Sheriff Agry releases Tom, impounding his ranch money with orders to leave town. The sheriff sends two of his deputies to escort Tom out of town and kill him. One of the men, Pecos Hill turns against the murderous plot. Tom vows to return to Agry for his money with Pecos a partner in his ranch.
Judge Agry’s negotiation with Juan’s Father settles on $50,000, an amount too rich for Sheriff Agry to overlook. – can you imagine an Agry family reunion? Wait for it . . . The sheriff arranges to hide Juan in a shack, Tom and Pecos happen to be using. They overcome the sheriff’s men and spring Juan. Pecos and Juan head for the border while Tom returns to town for his money. The sheriff’s men get loose, kill Pecos and recapture Juan.
Back in Agry the ransom arrives. The Judges sends to the jail for Juan only to be met by his brother’s demand for the ransom. Tom gets the drop on the sheriff forcing him to return his money just in time for the deputies to return with the prisoner. Both Juan and Tom are locked up. The Judge goes to town looking for Juan and the money. The family reunion between judge and sheriff goes to gunplay killing both. Juan returns to Mexico with the ransom. Tom passes through Agry on his way to a ranch in Texas.
Next Week: Westbound
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 28, 2024
Decision at Sundown
They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Even cold it is a dish often served at dear cost. Bart Allison (Randolph Scott) and his partner Sam (Noah Berry) ride into Sundown, a town under the thumb of Tate Kimbrough, a man Allison holds responsible for his wife Mary’s suicide. Responsible by seducing and abandoning her to the despair that took her life. He finds Kimbrough up to his womanizing ways about to solidify economic and political control of the town by marriage of convenience to Lucy Summerton’s (Karen Steele) prominent family.
Allison decides to object to the nuptials at the wedding. He’s not alone. Ruby James has a claim in Kimbrough’s casual affections and sees nothing convenient in the marriage. She makes herself prominently known in the front pew of the church to everyone’s discomfort. Kimbrough has more than a few detractors who quietly disapprove, notably the highly respected town doctor John Storrow, who is secretly in love with Lucy.
Allison succeeds in disrupting the sacramental union and survives the gun play that follows. He and Sam take cover in the livery stable where a standoff ensues with Kimbrough’s Sheriff Swede Hansen and his deputies. Storrow is allowed to enter the stable to treat one of Hansen’s deputies, a man named Spanish, who is wounded. Storrow and others in town, including rancher Morley Chase oppose Kimbrough and his oppression of the town.
Kimbrough grows impatient with the standoff. He offers Allison and Sam safe passage if they leave town. Allison sees through the offer and refuses. Meanwhile Lucy is reconsidering the prospect of marrying Kimbrough and his philandering ways. She goes to the livery to convince Allison; his wife may not have been faithful. Angered, Allison doesn’t believe her. Sam knows Lucy is right. Allison will hear none of it. Sam decides to take the safe passage offer. Spanish kills him. Cold blooded murder is enough to turn the townsfolk against Kimbrough. Chase, his men, and Storrow disarm Hansen’s men. Allison shoots Hansen but is wounded in the exchange. Kimbrough is left to face Allison. Ruby wounds him to save him from Allison. Ruby confirms Allison’s wife was never faithful. Allison accepts the truth and the tragedy Sam died in vain. Drunk and disconsolate, Allison rides out of town.
Boetticher was not fond of the film. He thought it “mediocre” by Ranown series standards.
Next Week: Buchanan Rides Alone
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Ride easy,
Paul
Allison decides to object to the nuptials at the wedding. He’s not alone. Ruby James has a claim in Kimbrough’s casual affections and sees nothing convenient in the marriage. She makes herself prominently known in the front pew of the church to everyone’s discomfort. Kimbrough has more than a few detractors who quietly disapprove, notably the highly respected town doctor John Storrow, who is secretly in love with Lucy.
Allison succeeds in disrupting the sacramental union and survives the gun play that follows. He and Sam take cover in the livery stable where a standoff ensues with Kimbrough’s Sheriff Swede Hansen and his deputies. Storrow is allowed to enter the stable to treat one of Hansen’s deputies, a man named Spanish, who is wounded. Storrow and others in town, including rancher Morley Chase oppose Kimbrough and his oppression of the town.
Kimbrough grows impatient with the standoff. He offers Allison and Sam safe passage if they leave town. Allison sees through the offer and refuses. Meanwhile Lucy is reconsidering the prospect of marrying Kimbrough and his philandering ways. She goes to the livery to convince Allison; his wife may not have been faithful. Angered, Allison doesn’t believe her. Sam knows Lucy is right. Allison will hear none of it. Sam decides to take the safe passage offer. Spanish kills him. Cold blooded murder is enough to turn the townsfolk against Kimbrough. Chase, his men, and Storrow disarm Hansen’s men. Allison shoots Hansen but is wounded in the exchange. Kimbrough is left to face Allison. Ruby wounds him to save him from Allison. Ruby confirms Allison’s wife was never faithful. Allison accepts the truth and the tragedy Sam died in vain. Drunk and disconsolate, Allison rides out of town.
Boetticher was not fond of the film. He thought it “mediocre” by Ranown series standards.
Next Week: Buchanan Rides Alone
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 21, 2024
The Tall T
Burt Kennedy’s screen play for The Tall T is based on an Elmore Leonard short story. I read the story 3:10 to Yuma was based on and couldn’t believe the drama the screenplay drew from it. Elmore must have had a knack I didn’t see, ‘cuz here we go again. Put Kennedy’s script in front of Bud Boetticher’s director’s chair and off we go on a film that found its way into the Library of Congress National Film Registry, launching Boetticher’s Ranown series.
Pat Brennan (Randolph Scott – who else?), loses his horse on a bull riding bet and has to walk home. Fortunately, he gets picked up by a passing stage driven by a friend. The stage is chartered to take wealthy mine owner’s daughter, Doretta (Maureen O’Sullivan) and her newlywed husband Willard off on their honeymoon. Unfortunately, Frank Usher (Richard Boone) and his cutthroat pals Chink and Billy Jack, mistake the stage for the one they planned to holdup. More to misfortune, Pat’s pal the driver is killed.
Terrified, the newly wed hub endears himself to his spouse and the gang leader, suggesting that ransoming his bride to her rich father might be more lucrative than the intended heist. Frank signs on, sending Billy Jack and Willard off to the unsuspecting father-in-law with a $50,000 ransom demand. They return with the news; dad is scraping up the cash. Frank sends the no longer useful Willard packing. Chink shoots him for target practice. Brennan gets it. He and Doretta are good as dead. He tells her to be ready. She is – more than.
Frank rides off to claim the ransom. Brennan convinces Chink, Frank may abscond with it all. Chink follows. Brennan lets Billy Jack know Doretta missed out on her wedding night. Billy tries to make it up to her. Brennan shots him for indiscretion. Hearing the shot Chink returns in time to meet his own bullet.
Frank returns with the money to find Brennan in control. He surrenders his gun and the loot. Betting Brennan won’t shoot him in the back he steps up on his horse with a rifle in the saddle boot. You just don’t draw on Randolph Scott at the end of a western even if you have gun and travel. The guy shoots ropes for pity sake. OK, enough tongue in cheek for this week. Brennan and Doretta walk off, arms around each other to a happily ever after “good day”.
Next Week: Decision at Sundown
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Ride easy,
Paul
Pat Brennan (Randolph Scott – who else?), loses his horse on a bull riding bet and has to walk home. Fortunately, he gets picked up by a passing stage driven by a friend. The stage is chartered to take wealthy mine owner’s daughter, Doretta (Maureen O’Sullivan) and her newlywed husband Willard off on their honeymoon. Unfortunately, Frank Usher (Richard Boone) and his cutthroat pals Chink and Billy Jack, mistake the stage for the one they planned to holdup. More to misfortune, Pat’s pal the driver is killed.
Terrified, the newly wed hub endears himself to his spouse and the gang leader, suggesting that ransoming his bride to her rich father might be more lucrative than the intended heist. Frank signs on, sending Billy Jack and Willard off to the unsuspecting father-in-law with a $50,000 ransom demand. They return with the news; dad is scraping up the cash. Frank sends the no longer useful Willard packing. Chink shoots him for target practice. Brennan gets it. He and Doretta are good as dead. He tells her to be ready. She is – more than.
Frank rides off to claim the ransom. Brennan convinces Chink, Frank may abscond with it all. Chink follows. Brennan lets Billy Jack know Doretta missed out on her wedding night. Billy tries to make it up to her. Brennan shots him for indiscretion. Hearing the shot Chink returns in time to meet his own bullet.
Frank returns with the money to find Brennan in control. He surrenders his gun and the loot. Betting Brennan won’t shoot him in the back he steps up on his horse with a rifle in the saddle boot. You just don’t draw on Randolph Scott at the end of a western even if you have gun and travel. The guy shoots ropes for pity sake. OK, enough tongue in cheek for this week. Brennan and Doretta walk off, arms around each other to a happily ever after “good day”.
Next Week: Decision at Sundown
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 14, 2024
7 Men from Now
John Wayne’s production company purchased screen writer Burt Kennedy’s debut screen play 7 Men from Now when Wayne learned Robert Mitchum was interested. Wayne would have starred if John Ford hadn’t had him committed to star in The Searchers, a film many regard as the best western film of all time. Wayne suggested Randolph Scott in the lead role. Scott insisted Budd Boettcher direct, first of seven Ranown films, starring Scott.
Ben Stride (Scott) is on the trail of seven men who held up a Wells Fargo office where Stride’s wife was killed in the holdup. A storm forces him to take cover in a cave where he meets John and Annie Greer, traveling by wagon to Flora Vista on their way to California. Stride too is headed that way and accompanies them.
They meet Bill Masters (Lee Marvin) and his partner Clete at a stage station stop. Masters tells Greer Stride is the former sheriff in Silver Springs. Stride is determined to avenge his wife’s death which he blames on himself for refusing a deputy sheriff’s job when no longer sheriff. Masters and his sidekick Clete, plan to follow Stride and take the twenty-thousand-dollars in Wells Fargo gold when he recovers it.
Masters and Clete ride ahead to Flora Vista where the bandits await delivery of the stolen gold. Masters tells outlaw leader Payte Bodeen Stride is coming for them. Bodeen sends two of his men after Stride. Stride leaves the plodding wagon and rides ahead alone. Bodeen’s men ambush Stride. He kills both but is knocked unconscious by a fall from his horse. He returns to the Greer camp on foot and overhears John tell Annie the Wells Fargo gold is in the wagon. He’s been paid to deliver it to Flora Vista. Stride takes charge of the gold using it to bait a trap for the robbers.
John and Annie reach Flora Vista. John tells Bodeen Stride has the gold. Bodeen kills Greer. He and the other remaining bandit Clint ride out for the gold. Masters and Clete follow along. In the showdown, Stride kills Clint, Masters kills Bodeen and in a fit of greed, kills Clete. Masters faces off against Stride who kills him.
The gold is returned to Wells Fargo. Stride puts Annie on a stage for California, telling her he is going back to Silver Springs as deputy sheriff. Annie gets off the stage.
Next Week: The Tall T
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Ride easy,
Paul
Ben Stride (Scott) is on the trail of seven men who held up a Wells Fargo office where Stride’s wife was killed in the holdup. A storm forces him to take cover in a cave where he meets John and Annie Greer, traveling by wagon to Flora Vista on their way to California. Stride too is headed that way and accompanies them.
They meet Bill Masters (Lee Marvin) and his partner Clete at a stage station stop. Masters tells Greer Stride is the former sheriff in Silver Springs. Stride is determined to avenge his wife’s death which he blames on himself for refusing a deputy sheriff’s job when no longer sheriff. Masters and his sidekick Clete, plan to follow Stride and take the twenty-thousand-dollars in Wells Fargo gold when he recovers it.
Masters and Clete ride ahead to Flora Vista where the bandits await delivery of the stolen gold. Masters tells outlaw leader Payte Bodeen Stride is coming for them. Bodeen sends two of his men after Stride. Stride leaves the plodding wagon and rides ahead alone. Bodeen’s men ambush Stride. He kills both but is knocked unconscious by a fall from his horse. He returns to the Greer camp on foot and overhears John tell Annie the Wells Fargo gold is in the wagon. He’s been paid to deliver it to Flora Vista. Stride takes charge of the gold using it to bait a trap for the robbers.
John and Annie reach Flora Vista. John tells Bodeen Stride has the gold. Bodeen kills Greer. He and the other remaining bandit Clint ride out for the gold. Masters and Clete follow along. In the showdown, Stride kills Clint, Masters kills Bodeen and in a fit of greed, kills Clete. Masters faces off against Stride who kills him.
The gold is returned to Wells Fargo. Stride puts Annie on a stage for California, telling her he is going back to Silver Springs as deputy sheriff. Annie gets off the stage.
Next Week: The Tall T
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Paul
April 7, 2024
Ride Lonesome
Ride Lonesome is the fifth film in Budd Boetticher’s seven film “Ranown cycle”. Why start there? Kirk Ellis, Emmy Award winning screen writer with creds to know calls Ride Lonesome a “turning point” in western film genre. Strong stuff for a low budget film. Budget is not solely determinative of artistic success. Cast, screenplay, and direction count for more.
Bounty hunter Ben Brigade (Randolph Scott) captures outlaw Billy John who is wanted for murder. On the way to Santa Cruz and the bounty on Billy’s head, members of his gang attempt to free him. Brigade holds them off with the threat of killing Billy. The gang takes word of Billy’s plight to the boy’s brother Frank.
Brigade and his prisoner make it to a stage stop where they encounter Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts) and his partner Whit (James Coburn in his debut performance), who have designs on relieving Brigade of his prisoner not for bounty but in exchange for amnesty for their own crimes. All four are greeted by rifle wielding Carrie Lane (Karen Steele), wife of the station master who is off in search of horses run off by Indians.
Indians attack the station. The chief comes forward to parlay. He offers Brigade a horse for Carrie. Brigade convinces her to play along. Fancy talk even for Scott. The horse turns out to be her husband’s. Hysterical, Carrie refuses the trade. Brigade and his party attempt to escape. The Apache attack is broken when Carrie kills the chief with a rifle shot. On the way to Santa Cruz Boone explains the prospect of amnesty and offers to pay the bounty on Billy. Brigade refuses.
Meanwhile Billy’s brother Frank and his gang are on the boy’s trail. Frank is puzzled. Brigade has made no attempt to cover his tracks. Not far from Santa Cruz Brigade pauses to camp beside a hanging tree. He knows Frank is following. Billy is bait for his trap. Brigade tells Carrie as sheriff in Santa Cruz, he arrested Frank who later abducted Brigade’s wife and hung her from the tree. He strings Billy up mounted on a horse. When Frank and his men attack, the horse bolts. Billy is saved when Brigade shoots the rope. Boone and Wit take him in. Brigade burns the tree.
Shot in seventeen days, including the rope, at a budget less than five hundred thousand, Ellis calls Boetticher and Kennedy’s film “a masterpiece of artistic achievement” in Western film.
Next Week: 7 Men from Now
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Ride easy,
Paul
Bounty hunter Ben Brigade (Randolph Scott) captures outlaw Billy John who is wanted for murder. On the way to Santa Cruz and the bounty on Billy’s head, members of his gang attempt to free him. Brigade holds them off with the threat of killing Billy. The gang takes word of Billy’s plight to the boy’s brother Frank.
Brigade and his prisoner make it to a stage stop where they encounter Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts) and his partner Whit (James Coburn in his debut performance), who have designs on relieving Brigade of his prisoner not for bounty but in exchange for amnesty for their own crimes. All four are greeted by rifle wielding Carrie Lane (Karen Steele), wife of the station master who is off in search of horses run off by Indians.
Indians attack the station. The chief comes forward to parlay. He offers Brigade a horse for Carrie. Brigade convinces her to play along. Fancy talk even for Scott. The horse turns out to be her husband’s. Hysterical, Carrie refuses the trade. Brigade and his party attempt to escape. The Apache attack is broken when Carrie kills the chief with a rifle shot. On the way to Santa Cruz Boone explains the prospect of amnesty and offers to pay the bounty on Billy. Brigade refuses.
Meanwhile Billy’s brother Frank and his gang are on the boy’s trail. Frank is puzzled. Brigade has made no attempt to cover his tracks. Not far from Santa Cruz Brigade pauses to camp beside a hanging tree. He knows Frank is following. Billy is bait for his trap. Brigade tells Carrie as sheriff in Santa Cruz, he arrested Frank who later abducted Brigade’s wife and hung her from the tree. He strings Billy up mounted on a horse. When Frank and his men attack, the horse bolts. Billy is saved when Brigade shoots the rope. Boone and Wit take him in. Brigade burns the tree.
Shot in seventeen days, including the rope, at a budget less than five hundred thousand, Ellis calls Boetticher and Kennedy’s film “a masterpiece of artistic achievement” in Western film.
Next Week: 7 Men from Now
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 24, 2024
Budd Boetticher
Whatever happened to Randolph Scott? Budd Boetticher knows. Actually, western film director Budd Boetticher is likely the reason the Statler Brothers ever bothered to ask the iconic question in song. When this post series came to research western film director Budd Boetticher, we hit something of a wall. I recalled my friend screenwriter and western film authority Kirk Ellis, having written something on Boetticher. To my plea for help he replied, “You’re right – there’s next to nothing out there on Budd.” He’s right. Nary so much as a picture. Kirk remedied that with his book Ride Lonesome, a tribute to the cinematic talents of director Boetticher, screenwriter Burt Kennedy and Randolph Scott who together created a genre defining body of western film known as the ‘Ranown Cycle’. Kirk builds his tribute on the fifth film in the series, Ride Lonesome. Highly recommended for all you serious western film fans.
Budd Boetticher was orphaned early in life which may account for some of his anonymity. He was raised in Evanston Indianna by adoptive parents, making an eventual connection to Hollywood by high school friendship with Hal Roach Jr. Gofer jobs at Hal Roach studios led to more substantive assignments at Columbia Pictures and eventually to the director’s chair. His big break came in 1956 when he teamed up with Kennedy and Scott to do Seven Men from Now. It was to be the first of seven films making up the Ranown Cycle. We will endeavor to fill in the blanks in Budd Boetticher’s story with the legacy of this filmography.
Beyond film, Boetticher worked in television’s golden age of western drama, directing episodes of Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater, Death Valley Days, The Rifleman, and Maverick. Those credits aside, Boetticher truly made his mark with the Ranown Cycle films. In discussing his book, Kirk describes Ride Lonesome “the best and most representative of the (Ranown) series.” He characterizes the film as “the most remarkable convergence of artistic achievement in the history of low-budget moviemaking.” High praise from a man who took home Emmy honors for the HBO Miniseries John Adams. A “masterpiece of cinematic minimalism,” Ride Lonesome was filmed in seventeen days on a budget less than a half million dollars.
Next Week: Ride Lonesome
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Ride easy,
Paul
Budd Boetticher was orphaned early in life which may account for some of his anonymity. He was raised in Evanston Indianna by adoptive parents, making an eventual connection to Hollywood by high school friendship with Hal Roach Jr. Gofer jobs at Hal Roach studios led to more substantive assignments at Columbia Pictures and eventually to the director’s chair. His big break came in 1956 when he teamed up with Kennedy and Scott to do Seven Men from Now. It was to be the first of seven films making up the Ranown Cycle. We will endeavor to fill in the blanks in Budd Boetticher’s story with the legacy of this filmography.
Beyond film, Boetticher worked in television’s golden age of western drama, directing episodes of Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater, Death Valley Days, The Rifleman, and Maverick. Those credits aside, Boetticher truly made his mark with the Ranown Cycle films. In discussing his book, Kirk describes Ride Lonesome “the best and most representative of the (Ranown) series.” He characterizes the film as “the most remarkable convergence of artistic achievement in the history of low-budget moviemaking.” High praise from a man who took home Emmy honors for the HBO Miniseries John Adams. A “masterpiece of cinematic minimalism,” Ride Lonesome was filmed in seventeen days on a budget less than a half million dollars.
Next Week: Ride Lonesome
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 17, 2024
Bandolaro
When a sheriff’s posse pursues a gang of escaped bank robbers into Mexican territory controlled by vicious banditos, the shootout you get is worthy of a spaghetti western. The only thing missing . . . a guy with no name. Instead, you get Dee Biship (Dean Martin) and his gang of would be bank robbers. Would be because they all get caught by Val Verde Shariff July Johnson (George Kennedy). Name sound familiar? It should. July Johnson, not Kennedy.
Bishop’s brother Mace (Jimmy Stewart) gets wind of Dee’s plight from the hangman on his way to do business with Dee and his gang. Mace takes over for the hangman thinking to save his brother. Mace the hangman impersonator convinces July to disarm townsfolk to assure the hanging will be safe and efficient. True to his assurances, the hanging is safe for all, including Dee and his men who escape. Sheriff Johnson raises a posse and departs in pursuit. With everyone otherwise occupied, Mace robs the bank for himself.
Making his escape Dee collects a hostage, Maria Stoner (Raquel Welch – how does Martin get these parts?), recently widowed of a loveless marriage by one of Dee’s men in the aborted bank robbery. Crossing into Mexico, Maria warns Dee, the sheriff will follow because he has taken the one thing the sheriff has always wanted – guess who?
The gang takes refuge in an abandoned town where Mace joins them in time for the sheriff to arrive and rearrest them all. No sooner has the sheriff secured his prisoners and rescued the hostage, who by now isn’t sure she wants to be rescued (how does Martin get these parts?), when bandoleros lay siege to the town. July releases his prisoners to fight for their lives. Nearly everyone dies including what is left of the gang. Dee is mortally knifed by the bandit leader Angel for interrupting his advances on Maria. She obliges by turning Dee’s guns on the bandit. Dee dies in her arms. Mace too is killed, returning the bank’s money to July with his dying breath. Nothing is left but to bury the dead and ride back to Val Verde.
About those names – July Johnson, his deputy Roscoe and outlaw Dee with the romantic lead? Larry McMurtry is ‘credited’ with paying ‘tribute’ to Bandolero with characters in Lonesome Dove. I guess it’s ‘tribute’. Plagiarism if it was me. Raquel thought her role a step up from her sex symbol typecast. Stewart, ever understated said, “I think she’s going to stack up alright.”
Next Week: Bud Boetticher
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Ride easy,
Paul
Bishop’s brother Mace (Jimmy Stewart) gets wind of Dee’s plight from the hangman on his way to do business with Dee and his gang. Mace takes over for the hangman thinking to save his brother. Mace the hangman impersonator convinces July to disarm townsfolk to assure the hanging will be safe and efficient. True to his assurances, the hanging is safe for all, including Dee and his men who escape. Sheriff Johnson raises a posse and departs in pursuit. With everyone otherwise occupied, Mace robs the bank for himself.
Making his escape Dee collects a hostage, Maria Stoner (Raquel Welch – how does Martin get these parts?), recently widowed of a loveless marriage by one of Dee’s men in the aborted bank robbery. Crossing into Mexico, Maria warns Dee, the sheriff will follow because he has taken the one thing the sheriff has always wanted – guess who?
The gang takes refuge in an abandoned town where Mace joins them in time for the sheriff to arrive and rearrest them all. No sooner has the sheriff secured his prisoners and rescued the hostage, who by now isn’t sure she wants to be rescued (how does Martin get these parts?), when bandoleros lay siege to the town. July releases his prisoners to fight for their lives. Nearly everyone dies including what is left of the gang. Dee is mortally knifed by the bandit leader Angel for interrupting his advances on Maria. She obliges by turning Dee’s guns on the bandit. Dee dies in her arms. Mace too is killed, returning the bank’s money to July with his dying breath. Nothing is left but to bury the dead and ride back to Val Verde.
About those names – July Johnson, his deputy Roscoe and outlaw Dee with the romantic lead? Larry McMurtry is ‘credited’ with paying ‘tribute’ to Bandolero with characters in Lonesome Dove. I guess it’s ‘tribute’. Plagiarism if it was me. Raquel thought her role a step up from her sex symbol typecast. Stewart, ever understated said, “I think she’s going to stack up alright.”
Next Week: Bud Boetticher
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 10, 2024
The Sons of Katie Elder
The Sons of Katie Elder is based on a story written by screenwriter and playwright Talbot Jennings. The film is said to be ‘l o o s e l y’ based Kate Elder a.k.a. Big Nose Kate, Doc Holliday’s on again off again love. Knowing something of Kate from having researched and written the just released Lunger: The Doc Holliday Story, I can safely say any similarity between Doc’s Kate and the film stops with the use of her name. Kate had no sons (she claimed) let alone four, though given her ‘professional’ calling, one might suppose the possibility here or there.
Talbot’s story might give us a clue as to how director Henry Hathaway got from Kate to The Sons of, but research tells us the story is lost to the mists of history, title, and all. Talbot was a writer of some renown with graduate degrees from Harvard and Yale back when those degrees meant more than participation trophies hung on a wall.
So, we are left with a film staring, John Wayne, Dean Martin, Michael Anderson, and Earl Holliman. Katie Elder is dead. Her sons, gunfighter John (Wayne), gambler Tom (Martin), shopkeeper Matt (Holliman), and college-boy wannabe gunman Bud (Anderson) return home for her funeral. Katie, who lived in poor circumstances, is loved nonetheless by the townsfolk. The sons who neglected her are not John and Tom in particular.
Morgan Hastings claims to have won the Elder ranch from the boys’ father in a card game the night the old man was mysteriously murdered. The boys are suspicious, so is the sheriff. Hastings hires a gunman to have his back. Pressed by the sheriff’s questions, Hastings kills him, making it look like the Elders did it. The boys are arrested, prompting lynch mob retribution for the beloved sheriff. The judge sends the boys to Laredo for safekeeping. Hasting arranges an ambush, foiled by the sheriff’s deputy. Hastings gunman dynamites a bridge killing Matt.
Tom suspects Hastings’ son knows the truth of the old man’s death. He abducts the youth but is shot by Hastings who shoots his own son to keep him quiet. The boy tells all before the judge with his dying breaths, clearing the Elders. John pursues Hastings to his firearms factory. In a showdown gunfight, John blows a powder keg and the factory with Hastings in it.
More than you bargain for from a short story with no title.
Next Week: Bandolero
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Talbot’s story might give us a clue as to how director Henry Hathaway got from Kate to The Sons of, but research tells us the story is lost to the mists of history, title, and all. Talbot was a writer of some renown with graduate degrees from Harvard and Yale back when those degrees meant more than participation trophies hung on a wall.
So, we are left with a film staring, John Wayne, Dean Martin, Michael Anderson, and Earl Holliman. Katie Elder is dead. Her sons, gunfighter John (Wayne), gambler Tom (Martin), shopkeeper Matt (Holliman), and college-boy wannabe gunman Bud (Anderson) return home for her funeral. Katie, who lived in poor circumstances, is loved nonetheless by the townsfolk. The sons who neglected her are not John and Tom in particular.
Morgan Hastings claims to have won the Elder ranch from the boys’ father in a card game the night the old man was mysteriously murdered. The boys are suspicious, so is the sheriff. Hastings hires a gunman to have his back. Pressed by the sheriff’s questions, Hastings kills him, making it look like the Elders did it. The boys are arrested, prompting lynch mob retribution for the beloved sheriff. The judge sends the boys to Laredo for safekeeping. Hasting arranges an ambush, foiled by the sheriff’s deputy. Hastings gunman dynamites a bridge killing Matt.
Tom suspects Hastings’ son knows the truth of the old man’s death. He abducts the youth but is shot by Hastings who shoots his own son to keep him quiet. The boy tells all before the judge with his dying breaths, clearing the Elders. John pursues Hastings to his firearms factory. In a showdown gunfight, John blows a powder keg and the factory with Hastings in it.
More than you bargain for from a short story with no title.
Next Week: Bandolero
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
March 3, 2024
Sam Whiskey
Laura Breckenridge (Angie Dickinson), wealthy widow of a prominent Oklahoma political family has a problem. Her deceased husband, Congressman Philip Breckenridge managed to pilfer $250,000 in gold bullion from the Denver Mint while on a congressional VIP tour. The gold is now at the bottom of the Platte River aboard a sunken paddle wheeler. She knows the missing gold will be discovered as soon as the mint resumes stamping coins. She fears she will be charged an accomplice. Who comes to rescue her from distress? None other than the roguishly handsome soldier of good fortune, Sam Whiskey (Burt Reynolds). Laura turns on her siren charms as only Angie can. Sam is enthralled. With $20,000 thrown in for good measure it’s Sam to the escapade. Did I mention this is a comedy western?
Sam recruits blacksmith Jedidiah Hooker (Ossie Davis) and unlikely inventor O.W. Bandy (Clint Walker) to assist. They locate the gold; unaware they are being followed by outlaw Fat Henry and his gang. Bandy turns a bucket and bellows into a diving bell Sam can use to recover the gold. Thinking Sam has drowned, Fatty and the boys move in taking Bandy and Hooker captive. Sam hides in the riverboat’s partially submerged smokestack to run off Fatty and friends with another Bandy invention, the machine gun.
Gold recovered the trio heads for the mint. Sam gets in posing as a government inspector. He damages a gold covered bronze bust they take to a smithy to repair. Hooker makes a mold, they cast to smuggle the gold back into the mint posing as a bust. Got that? Bandy and Hooker enter the mint as plumbers. Under cover of night Sam and the boys smelt the bust back into gold bars while Fatty and his gang steal the bronze bust from the blacksmith shop, thinking its gold. With order restored, Sam divvies the $20,000 with the boys, adding Laura to his share.
The film features Sam singing the bawdy ditty Whiskey and Gin, recounting the amorous escapades of one Mary McCarty who loves . . . Whiskey and Gin. The script called for a scene in which Laura appears . . . altogether. Dickinson reluctantly agreed to do the scene, though the director refocused the shot when confronted with the prospect of an ‘R’ in the newly instituted decency ratings. Critical reviews ran from “Clumsy charm” to “Cornball antics” to “Uninspired . . . mediocrity.” What else do you get with . . . whiskey and gin.
Next Week: The Sons of Katie Elder
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Sam recruits blacksmith Jedidiah Hooker (Ossie Davis) and unlikely inventor O.W. Bandy (Clint Walker) to assist. They locate the gold; unaware they are being followed by outlaw Fat Henry and his gang. Bandy turns a bucket and bellows into a diving bell Sam can use to recover the gold. Thinking Sam has drowned, Fatty and the boys move in taking Bandy and Hooker captive. Sam hides in the riverboat’s partially submerged smokestack to run off Fatty and friends with another Bandy invention, the machine gun.
Gold recovered the trio heads for the mint. Sam gets in posing as a government inspector. He damages a gold covered bronze bust they take to a smithy to repair. Hooker makes a mold, they cast to smuggle the gold back into the mint posing as a bust. Got that? Bandy and Hooker enter the mint as plumbers. Under cover of night Sam and the boys smelt the bust back into gold bars while Fatty and his gang steal the bronze bust from the blacksmith shop, thinking its gold. With order restored, Sam divvies the $20,000 with the boys, adding Laura to his share.
The film features Sam singing the bawdy ditty Whiskey and Gin, recounting the amorous escapades of one Mary McCarty who loves . . . Whiskey and Gin. The script called for a scene in which Laura appears . . . altogether. Dickinson reluctantly agreed to do the scene, though the director refocused the shot when confronted with the prospect of an ‘R’ in the newly instituted decency ratings. Critical reviews ran from “Clumsy charm” to “Cornball antics” to “Uninspired . . . mediocrity.” What else do you get with . . . whiskey and gin.
Next Week: The Sons of Katie Elder
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
