Cowboy

I think that this is one of Glenn Ford's best performances. He plays against type cast as a tough rancher with not much heart. Jack Lemmon provides the heart for the film. The film is realistic in it's portrayal of western life in the ninteenth century and is based on the Writer Frank Harris's real story. Frank Harris was a hotel clerk who wanted to be a cowboy so bad that he gave his own money to buy a piece of the stock from Glen Ford's ranch with the condition that he could ride the trail. Glen Ford loses his money gambling and has to take Harris(Lemmon's) deal in order to buy more cattle. Along the trail Lemmon finds the work hard and the men that he associates with harder. Harris becomes tough but learns a lesson and in the end teaches something to Glen Ford along the way. The only problem with the dvd version is that it is in pan and scan format and it should be in wide screen as this is an epic western that needs the wide screen. I recommend that the viewer who really wants to see this in widescreen request it on turner classic movies as that is the only place where you can see it that way. Enjoy this movie any way you can see it however. It is like a good novel.

Circumstances force a tough trail boss (Ford) to take on a former hotel bellboy (Lemmon) as his partner in a trail drive, on condition that Lemmon can go along on the drive. Along the way he finds out that a cowboy's life isn't as glamorous or romantic as he thought it would be, and a whole lot more dangerous besides. This is a vastly entertaining film, mainly because Lemmon and Ford work so well together. Lemmon knew exactly how far to go in showing boyish enthusiasm and excitement without making it seem childish or juvenile, and he stays right on that fine line here. Ford's character is a weary cattleman who's seen and done it all, and knows what Lemmon is in for, tries to tell him and gets annoyed when he won't listen, and the two complement each other perfectly. A top-notch supporting cast helps things immensely, and Delmer Daves' directs smoothly, interspersing drama and humor in just the right amounts. A very, very enjoyable film.

Jack Lemmon's second dramatic role and his only western was this bowdlerised version of Frank Harris' unreliable memoirs 'My Life Out West' which represented a further step in the move by Delmer Daves - a director incapable of making a dull film - from rugged outdoor fare to romantic melodramas when he took Lemmon out of his accustomed urban environment and teamed him with Glenn Ford; who later the same year himself made a memorable venture into comedy with 'The Sheepman'.

As might be expected much of the humour derives from Lemmon looking incongruous in a stetson, while in a supporting role Brian Donlevy is permitted rather more depth than usual.

Formidable Western full of action , ironic touches , fascinating drama , Mexican fiesta , cattle round-up , romantic episodes and fabulous performances . Fine and classic Western by Delmer Daves with a magnificent Jack Lemmon and a restrained Glenn Ford . It's a wonderful adventure film format "western" itinerant, full of amusing events , danger and life lessons . In the 1870s a Chicago hotel clerk named Frank Harris (a notoriously mendacious Jack Lemmon in his usual role ) dreams of life as a cowboy , and the tenderfoot gets his opportunity when , jilted by the dad of the girl (Anna Kashfi) he wishes , he unites forces with Tom Reece (Glenn Ford) and his cattle-driving team (Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and Brian Donlevy) . Soon after, though, the ex-clerk finds out existence on the range is neither what he expected nor what he's been wishing . The brave clerk agrees to covenant with Tom a 2.000 mile cattle drive from Chicago until arrive their destination in the Rio Grande , overcoming several risks , avoiding Indian attacks , cattle stampede and several other things .

This first-rate Western draws its riveting tale and power from the interaction of finely drawn roles as well as adventure and action . Good adult Western with exciting battle of wits between an obstinate clerk and an expert cowboy . Interesting and likable screenplay based on own reminiscences by novelist Frank Harris and well adapted by the notorious Edmund H. North and the black-listed Dalton Trumbo . Delmer Daves does a good work , an energetic and exciting movie , pitting two antagonist characters against the rugged toughness forced a vast natural environment throughout the trail . Highlight the exemplary value of the landscape as essential dramatic figure, and the narrative takes a brisk pace but not fast, a dash dense but not cumbersome. Glenn Ford as stern boss does an excellent interpretation along with a great cast that appears beautiful Anna Kashfi and other nice secondaries as Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and special appearance by veteran Brian Donlevy. Striking cinematography by Charles Lawton Jr who reflects masterfully the spectacular outdoors . Atmospheric and stirring musical score by George Duning , well conducted by habitual Morris Stoloff . The motion picture is well directed by Delmer Daves - including his characteristic use of landscape- , a Western expert as proved in ¨The hanging tree¨ , ¨3:10 to Yuma¨, ¨The last wagon¨, Jubal , ¨Drum beat¨, ¨Return of the Texan¨, and the notorious ¨Broken arrow¨ . And of course ¨Cowboy¨ that turns out to be stylish, fast paced , solid, meticulous and with enjoyable look . This well acted movie is gripping every step of the way . An unjustly forgotten film results to be a good western and remains consistently agreeable . Rating : Above average , worthwhile watching .

As one of the other reviewers pointed out, this whole film is based on a few lines of an autobiography where the protagonist Frank Harris joins a group of cattle RUSTLERS for a spell. So in fact that as tough as Glenn Ford and his crew are, at least they're on the right side of the law.

Also Frank Harris is probably best known for the first definitive life of Oscar Wilde. And Harris like Wilde was born in Ireland. Might have been nice if Jack Lemmon had played him with a brogue.

Another reviewer pointed out that Jack Lemmon did not fit into the western film. True enough, but in fact this is the story of a tenderfoot who goes on a cattle drive and has quite the adventure.

Still and all Cowboy is a pretty good realistic western about life on a cattle drive. These drovers aren't any kind of heroic, but they do the job that has to be done. Jack Lemmon's ideas about cowboys are taken from the dime novels of the period. He gets rid of his romantic notions, but fast.

Among the supporting cast Brian Donlevy comes off best as the world weary former town marshal who joins the drive to get away from his job and meets a tragic end.

Cowboy came out in 1958 which was the height of Glenn Ford's career. Ford did some of the best westerns of the 1950s and Cowboy ranks right up there.