TRUE DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.
Thank you to the MOVIES TV Net for resurrecting this outstanding western slash drama, long in the shadow of the famous John Wayne film (of the same title). This got air play years ago on tv, then disappeared, due to countless film tributes to Wayne.
The 1936 version is more poignant, a la director Richard Boleslawski, his cup o' tea. Tall, dark and handsome 30s movie idol Chester Morris is the whole show. Usually Morris was cast in more romantic or detective features, even compared to comic strip hero DICK TRACY (later starring as BOSTON BLACKIE in the 40s), nevertheless he makes the most of his screen time, the part of a two fisted bank robber.
He and partners Lewis Stone and Walter Brennan hold up a desert town bank, only to confront a dying woman and her baby. She passes and the kid is all theirs -- in the middle of nowhere, requiring a trip back to the town they just ravaged? Outstanding on location work at Red Rock Canyon, California, bordering the treacherous Mojave desert, of all places. Boleslawski directed this masterfully for MGM and got just what he wanted from the stars.
Irene Hervey co-stars as Molly (with an eye for Morris, naturally), and look for pre-Charlie Chan Sidney Toler as the professor.
The ending will stay with you. A must see for Morris fans. Boleslawski next directed the comedy classic THEODORA GOES WILD with Irene Dunne. Remastered on dvd, and rightly so.
The 1936 version is more poignant, a la director Richard Boleslawski, his cup o' tea. Tall, dark and handsome 30s movie idol Chester Morris is the whole show. Usually Morris was cast in more romantic or detective features, even compared to comic strip hero DICK TRACY (later starring as BOSTON BLACKIE in the 40s), nevertheless he makes the most of his screen time, the part of a two fisted bank robber.
He and partners Lewis Stone and Walter Brennan hold up a desert town bank, only to confront a dying woman and her baby. She passes and the kid is all theirs -- in the middle of nowhere, requiring a trip back to the town they just ravaged? Outstanding on location work at Red Rock Canyon, California, bordering the treacherous Mojave desert, of all places. Boleslawski directed this masterfully for MGM and got just what he wanted from the stars.
Irene Hervey co-stars as Molly (with an eye for Morris, naturally), and look for pre-Charlie Chan Sidney Toler as the professor.
The ending will stay with you. A must see for Morris fans. Boleslawski next directed the comedy classic THEODORA GOES WILD with Irene Dunne. Remastered on dvd, and rightly so.
- tcchelsey
- 17 जून 2023