sonomabeets

At the end of the movie, while the band is playing "Dixie", J. Carroll Naish, who is credited with playing Gen. Philip Sheridan, throws a thumb over his shoulder towards Maureen O'Hara and says "Sheridan". Why would he be crediting Sheridan with the playing of that song in honor of O'Hara's southern roots, if he was Sheridan himself ? This is yet another movie for which John Wayne has been given little credit for the range of his abilities. His love for his estranged wife (Maureen O"Hara) is so plain, and yet so painful......after such a long separation, it almost seems like it's their first date ! Now, who but a really great actor can do that ? By now I figure you can guess, this is one of my all-time favorite movies.....

This movie was terrific in it's view of what police work was like at that time, before the handcuffs were put on the police more than they were on the criminals. Bumper Morgan was the kind of cop I trained under, and each of them, and he, were real characters. The most memorable line to me was, when Morgan (William Holden) told the State's Attorney, after screwing up in court and being asked why "Because I'm 50 lousy years old, and I just can't cut it anymore!" Only people who have been in law enforcement can understand the truth in that admission...... This is a wonderful movie on many levels. It shows how police work used to be done in another era, it may make some people realize that maybe it was better done that way, it may scare some people, and it truly sheds light on the dilemma that faces a man in the twilight of his chosen career. A stellar performance by Holden, who was in his twilight at the time it was filmed. Perhaps he brought more to the role than even he realized. His personal decline was mirrored in his portrayal of the kind of cop we all want when we are the victim, but never, ever want to face as the offender. Darkly brilliant !