This surprisingly enjoyable Western clearly uses the shootout near the OK Corral as both inspiration and springboard for creating a character very reminiscent of Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday from Tombstone. Rory Calhoun's Bret Wade is clearly a cinematic ancestor of Kilmer's Doc, deadly but sophisticated, playing Moonlight Sonata on a tinny saloon piano. The shootout at the stockyard (stand-in for the OK Corral in this film) is a launching pad for a series of events that showcase the drama between the well-drawn characters. Calhoun is terrific as Wade, David Brian is effectively oily and vindictive, and Piper Laurie is not only breathtakingly lovely, but also wistful, empathic, and sensitive. This film is so much better than the run of the mill B oater that one might expect from the time it was made. Just goes to show that, given good material to work with, the cast of usually supporting actors can give excellent performances. 9 out of 10 for this gem of a film.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Dawn at Socorro
(1954)
A REFRESHINGLY LITERATE FILM, TWO CUTS ABOVE THE USUAL WESTERN
29 January 2021
Colt .45
(1950)
Worth watching because of Randolph Scott
30 June 2010
I have one major problem with this film. Set in the late 1840's or early 1850s, it highlights the introduction of the "Colt .45 revolver". Actually, the gun depicted in the film is a Colt's DRAGOON .44 cap & ball sixgun. I don't know why the title, "Colt .45" is stuck on this film, when "Colt .44" would have been just as sexy-sounding, and would have been historically accurate, as well. The introduction of a reliable, durable and accurate revolving pistol did really revolutionize things in the Old West, as depicted in the film but still, the name of the gun is wrong. I guess the film maker either didn't know or didn't care about the inaccuracy. All that being said, This is still a film worth watching. The reason is Randolph Scott, of course. I have been a huge fan since viewing "Ride the High Country" about 25 years ago. Over time I have seen most of his Westerns and while the films themselves vary in quality, the performance of Mr. Scott is almost always excellent. This is a lesser offering, granted, but the presence of Mr. Scott makes it worth the time. I'd rate it a 7.
Hopalong Cassidy Returns
(1936)
An Outstanding Episode in the Adventures of Hopalong Cassidy
19 July 2008
I have lately been revisiting these black and white B-Westerns, for a variety of reasons. For one thing, the story of William Boyd, and how he made the character of Hopalong Cassidy his own (not to mention how the Hoppy role changed Boyd) is more interesting to me now as an adult than when I first watched these films in the 1950s. Second, I've been reacquainting myself with a broad spectrum of retro/nostalgic film/TV/radio media generally, and these films are excellent examples. Also, Watching the B-Western films of John Wayne (especially the Republic/Lone Star films), the early work of Roy Rogers, and the Hoppy films themselves all have a common element in the sidekick persona of George "Gabby" Hayes, one of the character actors who defined the sidekick role. This particular Hoppy story features some unusual elements, like Hoppy's kid brother Buddy, an apple-chomping villain, a wheelchair-bound good guy, but especially a "woman gone wrong" who falls for Hoppy in a big way, even to the point of letting her feelings endanger the criminal empire she's built for herself. Excellent acting performances also make this film above average for the Hopalong Cassidy body of work. I guess I'd have to say I like them all, but I love this one.
Bad Girls
(1994)
Start with a ridiculous premise, add a cliché-ridden script and bad acting,
19 January 2008
And you will end up with this nonsensical mish-mash excuse for a film. Individually, I like the actresses who portray the "Bad Girls", but they are totally wasted in this steaming pile of horse $**t. The concept of making a western that expands and amplifies the contributions of women in the Old West has merit, but this kind of "girl-power" fantasy is a disservice to that concept. "Sarah, Plain and Tall", "Thousand Pieces of Gold" or even the classic "Stagecoach" (1939 version) take that concept and run with it, but this so-called movie instead erects a totally fictitious framework of... empowering prostitutes(?) to try and make some kind of bogus feminist point (whoring for success, I guess). Avoid this film. There are better films for those who like eye candy, better feminist/oppressive men movies (try "Thelma and Louise), and Heaven knows, better Westerns. I liked "The Daughters of Joshua Cabe" a hundred times more than this road muffin.
Return to Lonesome Dove
(1993)
Worth watching in it's own right
11 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Let me begin by saying that there is no bigger fan of the original "Lonesome Dove" than I. Both the Pulitzer Prize-winning book and the towering mini-series adapted from it stand alone in my experience as moving, dramatic, believable, and engrossing works. There is no comparison between "Lonesome Dove" and any Western film- at least not since the legendary collaborations of John Ford and John Wayne. It was with real reservations that I sat down to watch this new mini-series, what with McMurtry's non-participation, and the missing original cast members. After watching the first episode it was clear that this is no "Lonesome Dove". In almost every measurable way this sequel falls short of the original. But so what? I wasn't expecting it to measure up. Taken as an effort of it's own this film is engaging, entertaining and of a very good quality. If it were done as a new story, not as a sequel to "Lonesome Dove", there is no question in my mind that it would not have received as many negative ratings. Jon Voight did a creditable job as Call, Barbara Hershey was a terrific Clara, and the new characters like Gideon Walker and Agostina Vega were well rendered and believable. Louis Gossett jr. deserves special mention as the horse wrangler Isom Pickett. The film made me care about the characters, and I don't ask any more than that from an actor. it is unfortunate that this worthy effort stands in the shadow of it's predecessor- it is worth viewing in it's own right.
Lonesome Dove
(1989)
An epic, giant portrayal of the American West!!!!!!
5 July 2007
This film ranks with "The Searchers". "Red River", "The Outlaw Josey Wales," and any other of the greatest Western films of all time. No need to repeat all the superlatives that have been rightly heaped upon this film, except to say it deserves them all. The only reason I gave it 10 stars is because I can't give it 20. The acting performances are top-notch throughout the production, the clothing, sets, weapons, and dialog are all near-perfect. One of the major reasons I believe it turned out so well is because it started with first rate material- the towering, unbelievably fine, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Larry McMurtry. By sticking so very close to the original storyline, situations and characters, they began with a much higher standard of material than is often the case with a mini-series. My profound thanks to all associated with the creation of this timeless masterpiece.
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