'The Oklahoma Kid' is competent but slightly disappointing star western memorable for the clash in this guise of its protagonists, more usually seen as gangsters
The film is generally far more to the living of the Western traditionalists, and it never once allows its size to create an atmosphere of self-importance Nevertheless it maintains a pleasant tongue-in-cheek approach which makes the occasional tragic moments stand out in even greater relief
But even with two such big names on hand, 'The Oklahoma Kid' moves tediously against the colorful backgrounds of a colorful era Cagneywho makes his own law with his fast draw brings his cheeky personality to the West without making the slightest change in his standard characterization Bogart plays it without even the mordant sense of humor that he usually brings to his gangster roles As a sinister figure all in black, he gives an equally unconvincing performance as an outlaw gang leader who deceitfully obtains saloon and gambling rights in return for letting Cagney's father and brother have rights to a site on which they plan to build a town
The film is generally far more to the living of the Western traditionalists, and it never once allows its size to create an atmosphere of self-importance Nevertheless it maintains a pleasant tongue-in-cheek approach which makes the occasional tragic moments stand out in even greater relief
But even with two such big names on hand, 'The Oklahoma Kid' moves tediously against the colorful backgrounds of a colorful era Cagneywho makes his own law with his fast draw brings his cheeky personality to the West without making the slightest change in his standard characterization Bogart plays it without even the mordant sense of humor that he usually brings to his gangster roles As a sinister figure all in black, he gives an equally unconvincing performance as an outlaw gang leader who deceitfully obtains saloon and gambling rights in return for letting Cagney's father and brother have rights to a site on which they plan to build a town