The familiar story of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday and the Clanton clan. Don't expect any historical accuracy here, but that was never the point.
The movie is a treasure of good black and white cinematography by John Ford, his second western of the sound era after The Stagecoach (the third if we count Drums Along the Mohawk). Great scenery, as usual with Ford's westerns. Henry Fonda is great as always, what a screen presence, and Victor Mature is fine as Doc Holiday, giving a suave interpretation. Great action scene with the duel at OK corral.
Despite all the positive things going for it, it is somewhat let down by the unfocused script, which doesn't do itself a favor by spending so much time on the romances of Doc Holiday. Linda Darnell is just a bit too much of a classic Hollywood diva to be convincing as a rugged saloon singer, while Cathy Downs is fine in a supporting role as the titular character.
An excellent movie that falls short of greatness.
The movie is a treasure of good black and white cinematography by John Ford, his second western of the sound era after The Stagecoach (the third if we count Drums Along the Mohawk). Great scenery, as usual with Ford's westerns. Henry Fonda is great as always, what a screen presence, and Victor Mature is fine as Doc Holiday, giving a suave interpretation. Great action scene with the duel at OK corral.
Despite all the positive things going for it, it is somewhat let down by the unfocused script, which doesn't do itself a favor by spending so much time on the romances of Doc Holiday. Linda Darnell is just a bit too much of a classic Hollywood diva to be convincing as a rugged saloon singer, while Cathy Downs is fine in a supporting role as the titular character.
An excellent movie that falls short of greatness.