Colorado Saloon

Skip Homeier is a young Texan with a temper. He and brother John Payne can't stay in one place for long before Homeier gets them in trouble. This time, he's in jail. Payne busts him out, and they asquatulate and part ways. Payne winds up in a town where he's working for ambitious businessman Ray Middleton, who has a pretty daughter who can cook in Mona Freeman. Along comes Homeier, who goes to work for the town's saloon owner and general no-goodnik Lee J Cobb. How long before the two brothers clash over money or jobs or Miss Freeman, and who will come out on top.

It's a very ahndsome shaky A western under the direction of the always reliable Joseph Kane. Kane doesn't waste much time in subtlety or subtext,but he does have his performers indulge in small business that lets you know he understands how to underline what's going on. Instead he tells his story, and it's a good one, performed by top actors.

Several reasons to comment on this entertaining but otherwise pretty routine Western. Scope out the saloon at the beginning. It may be the only Western watering hole I've seen with actual pink accents for inside and outside decor. How the heck did that happen in a macho horse opera. Maybe Republic had a few gallons left over from a Vera Hruba Ralston flick. Also, note how those early scenes along the sagebrush trails resemble the wistful Frederick Remington paintings of the early West. They're subdued pastels and in my book, quite striking, especially with the light snow cover unusual for any Western. Then there's Skip Homeier creating another of his cocky young punk characters he was so expert at. Working at lowly Republic would never get you an Oscar in snooty Hollywood. But in my book, Homeier was as good at etching memorable characters as any of the higher-priced talent. Too bad he eventually matured out of these roles, but here he's near his peak as the hot- headed young Sam Mayhew.

The movie starts off fast, but sags somewhat in the middle—probably to accommodate the stagey skills of Broadway heavyweight Lee J. Cobb. (Notice that he has no outdoor scenes, holding forth instead from his saloon headquarters. That was probably in his contract so he wouldn't have to travel to Utah locations.) I was really impressed with the screen presence of Ray Middleton as the limping John Sutton. He's such a quietly imposing character that exudes integrity and strength. He certainly qualifies for a bigger career. Much of the movie's appeal comes from the cast, even Mona Freeman as the sweet young thing. She may be miscast, snuggling up with 43-year old Payne, but she does have a winning personality. All in all, it's a worthwhile little Western with a positive message of the sort that unfortunately they don't make anymore.

Bill Mayhew is growing tired of bailing out his hot headed younger brother, Sam. After breaking him loose from a Texas jail he decides enough is enough and tells Sam they must go their separate ways. He heads towards Denver and sets up in Central City where he lands a job (and soon to be partnership) with kindly gent John Sutton, he also starts to fall for Sutton's pretty daughter Elizabeth. However it soon becomes apparent that the towns money mad crook, Jim Donovan has issues with Sutton's dealings, and after enlisting into his fold the newly arrived in town, Sam, sets up the scenario of the brothers being on opposing sides.

Simple yet executed with no little style, The Road To Denver is a hugely enjoyable Western. It's directed by Western specialist Joe Kane and stars John Payne (Bill Mayhew), Mona Freeman (Elizabeth Sutton), Lee J. Cobb (Jim Donovan), Ray Middleton (John Sutton), Skip Homeier (Sam Mayhew) & Lee Van Cleef (Pecos Larry). The tale of sibling rivalry amongst the fabulous Snow Canyon location is highly watchable stuff, where even though the sense of the inevitable is hard to get away from, a number of sequences delight and fully form the story. Homeier is particularly good at playing the loose cannon role of Sam, and the best scenes tend to land with him, but Lee J Cobb is always a solid performer, and when given a bad guy role such as here, he positively delivers with sneer in full effect.

One of Kane's better efforts in the genre, and certainly one that is either under seen or undervalued on internet sites, so if you get the chance have a look, because it's a very tidy little piece. 7/10

"The Road to Denver" is a film from Republic Pictures which was filmed, like many of their movies, in Trucolor. Now, despite its name, Trucolor was not exactly top quality color filmstock. Its big advantage was that it was about half the price of Technicolor...about the same price as black & white filmstock. However, its colors weren't that good compared to Technicolor and the films made in Trucolor tend to be more sepia toned than in true color over time...which isn't so bad for this film since it's set in Utah*. None of this is a complaint so much as an explanation of the color you see when you watch the movie. For Trucolor it actually looks pretty decent.

For a Republic film, this one has a pretty decent cast. Generally, Republic was a second (or third) tier studio but here the lineup is better than usual. John Payne stars but he's amply helped by Mona Freeman, Lee J. Cobb, Glenn Strange, Andy Clyde, Skip Homeier, and Lee Van Cleef.

The film begins with a cattle drive. Sam Mayhew (Skip Homeier), as usual, is having a fight with someone. This time, however, the local sheriff has had enough...sentencing Sam to a month in jail. Inexplicably, his brother, Bill (John Payne), breaks him out of jail...but he was only supposed to serve a month. Now, the pair head to new country...and with new names. Will things get any better with Sam or is he destined for trouble once again? Take a guess? And, soon the two part ways...though you know sooner or later they'll cross paths.

The notion of two brothers going opposite directions with the law is a VERY familiar story in westerns. Off the top of my head, I remember several westerns starring big name actors with the same sort of plot: "Saddle the Wind" (1958), "Bandolero!" (1968), and "Horizons West" (1952). So, "The Road to Denver" isn't 100% unique. That doesn't mean it's bad...just a subject matter that's been used quite a few times.

Overall, the film is made well and it is enjoyable despite being awfully familiar.

*When the story begins, it says the movie was filmed in Utah. However, all the locations listed on IMDB are in Arizona. What gives?

Well, I expected more from this Republic western with seemingly more budget than usual and a good cast too: John Payne, Lee J Cobb, Skip Homeier, Lee Van Cleef; this sounds better than the usual Republic cast: Rod Cameron, Forrest Tucker, John Russell.... And I don't even speak of the Horace McCoy's script !!!! But the result is a bit flat for me, predictable. Good score though but that doesn't save the whole. It remains however an above average Republic Pictures western, don't misunderstand my review, I only showed my own opinion. This western has a good reputation anywway but I prefered MAVERICK QUEEN from the same Jo Kane.