3:10 to Yuma
In general if I’ve seen the movie, I don’t read the book and vice-versa. I broke the rule for the post series we did on True Grit, so it was easier to do it with a short story. The story was written by Elmore Leonard, a highly respected best-selling author. Imagine my surprise when I read the story and found myself incredulous. ‘This made it across the chasm . . . twice?’ Now I’m a poor one to be critical of a short story. I can’t write them. I’ve tried. I’m no good at it. I’m sorry, this one did nothing for me. I’d seen the movie remake. I enjoyed it, especially the fabulous sight gag in the last ten seconds or so; but how do you get that out of this story?
The Leonard story has deputy lawman Paul Scallon escorting outlaw Jim Kidd from Bisbee Arizona to Contention where he and his prisoner will board the 3:10 train to the penitentiary at Yuma. Scallon is on his own with the prisoner. Fearing Kid’s gang will try to free him on the way to Yuma, a heavily guarded decoy is sent by another route. Scallon hides his prisoner in a hotel room. They spend the day waiting for the train.
The Kid is confident his gang will break him out. He picks at Scallon’s nerves, urging the deputy to let him go before he ends up a dead man. In High Noon style the clock ticks down to a show down walk to the train.
The original film, stars Glen Ford as Ben Wade (Jim Kidd) and Van Heflin as Dan (Paul Scallon). The screen play was written by Halsted Welles and directed by Delmer Daves. Dan is a family man, citizen volunteer who needs the money to save his farm. He has a wife and two sons. The film begins with a stage robbery by Ben Wade and his gang. The gang divides the loot and separates. Wade is captured and the decoy transfer to Yuma is arranged. Curiously, no trial.
Welles screen play creates tension in the hotel wait scenes the original story did not. Glen Ford’s performance as the manipulative Ben Wade makes the story compelling. Van Heflin sweats his life or death with honor choice convincingly. In the showdown walk to the train, Wade becomes oddly cooperative with his captor. Dan survives a gun battle with Wade’s gang and succeeds in putting Wade on the train. The farm is saved. Wade claims he’s broken out of Yuma before.
Next Week: 3:10 Reprise
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Ride easy,
Paul
The Leonard story has deputy lawman Paul Scallon escorting outlaw Jim Kidd from Bisbee Arizona to Contention where he and his prisoner will board the 3:10 train to the penitentiary at Yuma. Scallon is on his own with the prisoner. Fearing Kid’s gang will try to free him on the way to Yuma, a heavily guarded decoy is sent by another route. Scallon hides his prisoner in a hotel room. They spend the day waiting for the train.
The Kid is confident his gang will break him out. He picks at Scallon’s nerves, urging the deputy to let him go before he ends up a dead man. In High Noon style the clock ticks down to a show down walk to the train.
The original film, stars Glen Ford as Ben Wade (Jim Kidd) and Van Heflin as Dan (Paul Scallon). The screen play was written by Halsted Welles and directed by Delmer Daves. Dan is a family man, citizen volunteer who needs the money to save his farm. He has a wife and two sons. The film begins with a stage robbery by Ben Wade and his gang. The gang divides the loot and separates. Wade is captured and the decoy transfer to Yuma is arranged. Curiously, no trial.
Welles screen play creates tension in the hotel wait scenes the original story did not. Glen Ford’s performance as the manipulative Ben Wade makes the story compelling. Van Heflin sweats his life or death with honor choice convincingly. In the showdown walk to the train, Wade becomes oddly cooperative with his captor. Dan survives a gun battle with Wade’s gang and succeeds in putting Wade on the train. The farm is saved. Wade claims he’s broken out of Yuma before.
Next Week: 3:10 Reprise
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
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