This one got shown on late-night Italian TV unheralded, after a proposed screening of Allan Dwan’s THE RIVER’S EDGE (1957) got barred by Fox! I’ve watched a few of John Wayne’s vehicles made between STAGECOACH (1939) and FORT APACHE (1948): while he was officially a star during this period, he wasn’t yet the screen legend everyone remembers and loves – consequently, most of the films he made in the interim tend to be overlooked. This is one of them and, I have to say, quite an underrated effort it is too!
Made at RKO, it features their customary shadowy lighting – and, while essentially modest in approach, the narrative is absolutely brimming with action, twists, romance (Wayne gets to choose between two gals) and even comedy (provided by The Duke’s frequent sidekick from his early years, George “Gabby” Hayes). Wayne is obviously in his element and, typically, his character has to go through a lot to fight for his rights (while he’s introduced as a ranch-hand, it transpires that he’s actually the heir to the property!), his own well-being (he’s not only provoked into several brawls or made the target of assassination, but is even framed for murder!) and, of course, true love (one girl is assertive and tempestuous, the other genteel and naive).
Ella Raines, best-known for her noir roles, looks great in cowboy gear as the former; when it seems she may lose Wayne to the latter – played by Audrey Long – it’s revealed that Wayne and Long’s characters are blood-related, thus conveniently solving the star’s emotional dilemma! The supporting cast includes Ward Bond (as the judge who tries to deceive both Wayne and Long out of their inheritance, he eventually engages in a violent fist-fight with Wayne which virtually turns his office into a shambles), Elizabeth Risdon (an insufferable and scheming old lady who’s domineering of charge Long and contemptuous of both Wayne and Hayes), Russell Wade (the young second lead of THE BODY SNATCHER [1945] appearing as Raines’ gambler brother), Paul Fix (like Bond, a long-time buddy of Wayne’s who here plays the part of an antagonist) and Frank Puglia (as Raines’ devoted Indian protector which causes an ambivalence towards Wayne).
Characterizations are well above-par for an ‘oater’; the end result is highly watchable and entertaining – if, ultimately, a notch below The Duke’s standards of a few years later. The film was nevertheless released on DVD by Warners as part of a 5-Disc John Wayne collection (of which I already own BLOOD ALLEY [1955], one I’ve yet to watch myself, and THE SEA CHASE [1955]) – and I wouldn’t mind adding it to my collection if the opportunity presented itself…
Made at RKO, it features their customary shadowy lighting – and, while essentially modest in approach, the narrative is absolutely brimming with action, twists, romance (Wayne gets to choose between two gals) and even comedy (provided by The Duke’s frequent sidekick from his early years, George “Gabby” Hayes). Wayne is obviously in his element and, typically, his character has to go through a lot to fight for his rights (while he’s introduced as a ranch-hand, it transpires that he’s actually the heir to the property!), his own well-being (he’s not only provoked into several brawls or made the target of assassination, but is even framed for murder!) and, of course, true love (one girl is assertive and tempestuous, the other genteel and naive).
Ella Raines, best-known for her noir roles, looks great in cowboy gear as the former; when it seems she may lose Wayne to the latter – played by Audrey Long – it’s revealed that Wayne and Long’s characters are blood-related, thus conveniently solving the star’s emotional dilemma! The supporting cast includes Ward Bond (as the judge who tries to deceive both Wayne and Long out of their inheritance, he eventually engages in a violent fist-fight with Wayne which virtually turns his office into a shambles), Elizabeth Risdon (an insufferable and scheming old lady who’s domineering of charge Long and contemptuous of both Wayne and Hayes), Russell Wade (the young second lead of THE BODY SNATCHER [1945] appearing as Raines’ gambler brother), Paul Fix (like Bond, a long-time buddy of Wayne’s who here plays the part of an antagonist) and Frank Puglia (as Raines’ devoted Indian protector which causes an ambivalence towards Wayne).
Characterizations are well above-par for an ‘oater’; the end result is highly watchable and entertaining – if, ultimately, a notch below The Duke’s standards of a few years later. The film was nevertheless released on DVD by Warners as part of a 5-Disc John Wayne collection (of which I already own BLOOD ALLEY [1955], one I’ve yet to watch myself, and THE SEA CHASE [1955]) – and I wouldn’t mind adding it to my collection if the opportunity presented itself…