Randolph Scott is the star of this diverting Western, playing the sheriff of a small town. His old friend Cheyenne Rogers, alias Bill Smith (Glenn Ford), is an outlaw who's newly arrived in town. Cheyenne was hired to rob a bank...that has already been robbed! Cheyennes' reputation dictates that he will fall under suspicion, despite his best efforts to go straight.
There's much to enjoy here, in this, Columbia Pictures' first Technicolor Western. The color photography is lovely, and helps the movie to feel more modern than many other Westerns of the era. Robert Carson wrote the screenplay, based on an original story by Max Brand, and it's quite easy to follow and involving every step of the way. The script has its fair share of quotable lines, a number of them spoken by scene stealer Edgar Buchanan, playing "Uncle" Willie McLeod, a mildly villainous but still likable character. There's a romantic triangle between Sheriff Steve, Cheyenne, and local gal Allison (pretty Evelyn Keyes), the daughter of Willie. Best of all, director Charles Vidor maintains a wonderful balancing act of drama and some genuinely funny comedy, including a show stopping barroom brawl (one of the classic tropes of this genre). The cast features some delightfully colorful characters, brought to life by a very fine cast.
Mr. Scott is engaging as the easygoing lead, a man who will do right by his old friend, even it means not adhering to the strict letter of the law. However, "The Desperadoes" often functions more as a vehicle for the excellent Ford, as the plot tends to revolve a little more around Cheyenne. In addition to Buchanan, another performer who regularly dominates his scenes is lively Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as an outlaw nicknamed 'Nitro' for his preferred tool of his trade. Bernard Nedell is appropriately odious as a lowlife named Jack Lester, Raymond Walburn is hilarious as a doddering old judge, Porter Hall is good as dubious banker Stanley Clanton, and a glamorous Claire Trevor makes the most of her role as The Countess, with whom Cheyenne associated as a child.
First rate action - such as a climactic stampede - helps to make this solid entertainment for 87 minutes.
Seven out of 10.
There's much to enjoy here, in this, Columbia Pictures' first Technicolor Western. The color photography is lovely, and helps the movie to feel more modern than many other Westerns of the era. Robert Carson wrote the screenplay, based on an original story by Max Brand, and it's quite easy to follow and involving every step of the way. The script has its fair share of quotable lines, a number of them spoken by scene stealer Edgar Buchanan, playing "Uncle" Willie McLeod, a mildly villainous but still likable character. There's a romantic triangle between Sheriff Steve, Cheyenne, and local gal Allison (pretty Evelyn Keyes), the daughter of Willie. Best of all, director Charles Vidor maintains a wonderful balancing act of drama and some genuinely funny comedy, including a show stopping barroom brawl (one of the classic tropes of this genre). The cast features some delightfully colorful characters, brought to life by a very fine cast.
Mr. Scott is engaging as the easygoing lead, a man who will do right by his old friend, even it means not adhering to the strict letter of the law. However, "The Desperadoes" often functions more as a vehicle for the excellent Ford, as the plot tends to revolve a little more around Cheyenne. In addition to Buchanan, another performer who regularly dominates his scenes is lively Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as an outlaw nicknamed 'Nitro' for his preferred tool of his trade. Bernard Nedell is appropriately odious as a lowlife named Jack Lester, Raymond Walburn is hilarious as a doddering old judge, Porter Hall is good as dubious banker Stanley Clanton, and a glamorous Claire Trevor makes the most of her role as The Countess, with whom Cheyenne associated as a child.
First rate action - such as a climactic stampede - helps to make this solid entertainment for 87 minutes.
Seven out of 10.