Reviews

This is my first recollection of Lloyd Nolan. He played "Polkadot Sam", the buddy who went wrong while Fred MacMurray and Jack Oakie became lawmen. Jack Oakie was the wise-crackin' comedy relief. Nolan's nickname came from the polka-dotted neckerchief he always wore. Wouldn't ya know it, Fred MacMurray had to gun him down at the end, and as he cradled his fallen former buddy in his arms we were treated to one of the tear-jerkinest death scenes ever in a western, on a par with Gary Cooper and Richard Arlen in "The Virginian". A lot of ridin' and shootin' made it a Saturday afternoon well spent.

it's been so many years since i've seen this remarkable movie that most of it is forgotten. but its effect endures. that brick oven in almost every interior shot. the subtle verbal fencing between feather and ellen creed. the simple-minded amusements of her sisters. her panic near the end is so well conveyed, i still remember her face. ida lupino elaborated on her great acting in "the light that failed". she deserves to be remembered as one of the great female stars. the atmosphere of this film is very much like "night must fall", which featured a hatbox instead of a brick oven. louis hayward was a perfect foil for lupino, his insinuating, prying remarks bringing out her best (worst) emotions. i can't wait to see this gem of english intrigue another time.

this first demille color epic was a sensation in 1940, deep in the era of fitzpatrick traveltalks ("so as the sun sinks slowly behind the rugged rockies we bid a reluctant adieu to the friendly metis people of canada.") it surely has many fine moments. but the plot is somewhat convoluted and the hero keeps picking up different horses along the way. "the horse he rode in on" was 1500 miles from home (texas). we see a somewhat distorted map of canada at the opening. the pivotal town of batoche is situated too close to the US border, about where regina should be. regina isn't shown, despite continual reference to it throughout. demille isn't the best director for gary cooper, who was allowed to brandish his bizarre mannerisms in a duel to the finish with paulette goddard. the cool blonde madeleine carroll and stout fella preston foster were pleasant to see, but best acting was done by george bancroft as the heartless whiskey runner, jacques corbeau. best lines include one by montagu love as the mortally wounded inspector cabot: some fool at headquarters wants to change the uniform to green. stand up for the redcoats! it's a good color. and another colonialism from foster as sgt. brett to an indian chief: will big bear kneel to the queen and be chief of his people again? it was a valiant two hour fight, but the scenery won. bonus quote by lynne overman as scottish-indian todd macduff: do they have fast horses in texas, mr. rivers? i'm bettin' they can nae keep up wi' the men.

the 7 vote i gave the westerner was due to its welterweight content. the execution of it gets a 10. the hero was given a dirty face and stubble. southeast and chickenfoot deserve awards for improbability. paul hurst in dirty apron and derby is a priceless picture. the horse pete taking the witness stand; the threatened gunplay in the saloon; the windswept surrender of the precious lock of hair; the 'boudoir' morning after scene with cooper trying to find a clean spot on the continuous towel; the dusty brawl with jane ellen's boyfriend. every scene had a wonderful flavor that i've enjoyed over and again for fifty years, yet it's still fresh.