Aguas sangrientas

Stalwart western hero Randolph Scott is at his stalwart best in "Coroner Creek" - and it wasn't directed by the overrated Budd Boetticher. Scott is a man of action as he attempts to avenge the killing of his fiancée at the hands of George MacReady in one of his most villainous roles. As mentioned, the emphasis is on action; the exasperating Boetticher often put one of Hollywood's best cowboy stars in complex psychological situations while forgoing Scott's long suit.

In "Coroner Creek", Scott is surrounded by three women who manage to slow down the story by their presence; Marguerite Chapman as a moralizing hotel owner, Sally Eilers as a widowed ranch owner, and Barbara Read as Macready's dipso wife. But the storyline is so good that you can overlook these interruptions and await his next confrontation with baddies. There are gunfights and fistfights enough to satisfy the most avid action fan, including a left-handed fist fight with Forrest Tucker (you'll have to watch it for more info). I liked this one enough to rate it an eight.

"Coroner Creek" is a Randolph Scott film that combines two typical western themes--revenge and the evil power-grabbing boss. It begins with a stage coach being attacked by Indians. However, these Indians are only working for the evil unknown white man. During this attack, the folks on the coach were murdered and one of them is Chris Danning's fiancé. Scott plays Chris Danning--a man determined to exact justice. After a montage showing Chris going town to town looking for a blond man with a scar, his trail leads to Coroner Creek---and to an evil boss-man named Younger Miles (George Macready). But, like a typical western baddie, Miles has hired a bunch of thugs (including Forrest Tucker and Joe Sawyer) and Chris is going to have to go through all this guys before his ultimate showdown with Younger. In the process, will Chris be able to hold on to his humanity? As I mentioned in the summary, this film, though reminiscent of other movies, handles it all very well. Scott managed to make it all seem very realistic and was at his best here. Well worth seeing.

With his square-jawed determination, Scott (Danning) makes a riveting screen presence. So, by golly, he's going to get whoever is responsible for his fiancé's death and nothing's going to stand in his way. Not even the comely Chapman (Kate) or the Big Guy in the Sky. But he's got a tough bunch to deal with, especially blond bruiser Tucker (Ernie), who would rather grind hands than seeds. That fist-fight with Danning may be a stretch, but it's sure imaginative. Then there's that arch baddie Macready (Miles) and veteran sneer merchant Douglas Fowley (Stew). So Danning's got his work cut out for him.

You gotta love those red rock Sedona AZ locations. They turn up in so many horse operas of the time. Speaking of turning up and lending color—yes indeed, there he is, old gravel- voiced grouch Edgar Buchanan as the sheriff. No western of the day worth its salt was without his particular brand of character color. And, guys, there's not just the usual one good-looking woman in the movie. There're three, so which one will Scott end up with.

Can't help noticing that Harry Joe Brown produced this film along with Scott's later The Tall T (1957). Then too, the plot here is similar to many of the Scott-Buddy Boetticher classics of a decade later. But then, Scott was so good at grim determination, it's hard not to make him a revenge-seeker. Anyway, better than most six-gun directors, Enright knows where to put the camera, helping to make this one of Scott's more memorable westerns that even non-fans may enjoy.

Director Enright is an unknown to me but he does a competent directing job in CORONER CREEK. Photography is above average, dialogue sharp, action believable and well edited, and the cherry on the cake is Randy Scott's performance, possibly his finest after RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY, SEVEN MEN FROM NOW and RIDE LONESOME.

First class performances too from slightly deranged, wholly evil, top villain George Macready, laughing heavy Forrest Tucker and doting daddy Edgar Buchanan.

Great punch-up between Scott and Tucker, with head butts and revenge thrown in all in the same bout. Unfortunately, Scott delivers the first heavy punch with the damaged hand and only feels the pain with the second punch, thereafter he uses the other hand. That goof aside, it is a credible and well staged sequence.

CORONER CREEK is one of the most unassuming yet gripping Westerns I have ever watched. 8/10.

Spectacular scenery highlights this Randolph Scott movie. Scott was 50 yers old when this was made and he never looked better. He is a man out to avenge his fiance's death caused by veteran bad guy, George MacReady. Lots of action and great fun watching Scott do his thing.