There was one reason I decided to watch this film
Dana Andrews. He was a wonderful actor despite being a relatively unknown actor today. His easy-going manner and natural way of acting make him one of my favorites. As it was a western (not even close to my favorite genre), I doubt if I would have watched it otherwise.
The film also stars Brian Donlevy and Susan Hayward. Despite Donevy being cast as Andrews' friend, I automatically assumed Donlevy was evil. After all, he often played shifty and larcenous sorts—and rarely anyone heroic. You'll have to watch the film to see if this is again the case. An odd supporting character was played by a mandolin-playing wondering minstrel . Not only was this sort of person odd to see in a western, but it was played by Hoagy Carmichael—a guy you'd usually expect to see playing a piano in a jazz or nightclub. His outfit was a hoot, as he was dressed almost exactly like W.C. Fields in "My Little Chickadee" (or, conversely, the TV pitchman, W. C. Fritos). Also, in a very small role is a young Lloyd Bridges before he became a star.
The film finds Andrews escorting Hayward to her fiancé, Donlevy, into the wilderness. However, given the chemistry between Andrews and Hayward, it sure seems as if they are destined to become a couple—even when Andrews becomes engaged to another lady.
As for the plot, it's not just another western with the typically clichéd plot. No, it's quite different—and rather hard to explain—suffice to say that most of the usual themes you'd expect in such a film are oddly absent. I liked this, as most westerns are simply variations on one about a half dozen different themes. Good acting, a different story and a gorgeous location shoot in Technicolor make this one worth seeing.
By the way, Andrews has a fight with huge Ward Bond in the film. In true leading man fashion, he wins—though in real life, Bond would have destroyed Andrews—as Bond was a burly ex-college football star and outweighed Andrews considerably. Also, at least according to this movie, American-Indian women wore bikinis when they went swimming!
By the way, Andy Devine's sons in the film were his actual kids in real life!
The film also stars Brian Donlevy and Susan Hayward. Despite Donevy being cast as Andrews' friend, I automatically assumed Donlevy was evil. After all, he often played shifty and larcenous sorts—and rarely anyone heroic. You'll have to watch the film to see if this is again the case. An odd supporting character was played by a mandolin-playing wondering minstrel . Not only was this sort of person odd to see in a western, but it was played by Hoagy Carmichael—a guy you'd usually expect to see playing a piano in a jazz or nightclub. His outfit was a hoot, as he was dressed almost exactly like W.C. Fields in "My Little Chickadee" (or, conversely, the TV pitchman, W. C. Fritos). Also, in a very small role is a young Lloyd Bridges before he became a star.
The film finds Andrews escorting Hayward to her fiancé, Donlevy, into the wilderness. However, given the chemistry between Andrews and Hayward, it sure seems as if they are destined to become a couple—even when Andrews becomes engaged to another lady.
As for the plot, it's not just another western with the typically clichéd plot. No, it's quite different—and rather hard to explain—suffice to say that most of the usual themes you'd expect in such a film are oddly absent. I liked this, as most westerns are simply variations on one about a half dozen different themes. Good acting, a different story and a gorgeous location shoot in Technicolor make this one worth seeing.
By the way, Andrews has a fight with huge Ward Bond in the film. In true leading man fashion, he wins—though in real life, Bond would have destroyed Andrews—as Bond was a burly ex-college football star and outweighed Andrews considerably. Also, at least according to this movie, American-Indian women wore bikinis when they went swimming!
By the way, Andy Devine's sons in the film were his actual kids in real life!