LACUES

This well acted movie is better than many of the so-called "A" westerns of the period. It has humor, drama, good dialogue, and a good story. Unlike, "High Noon" to which it has been compared in a previous review, it is more believable and less melodramatic. Randolph Scott, as usual, is in peak form and Wayne Morris is very effective as the easy going deputy. He has always been a favorite of mine because of his pleasant personality and natural acting style.

The action is fast paced even though most of it take place within the town. Joe Sawyer and the other veteran stars are convincing and the story line is original. This a film that I can watch repeatedly because it really entertaining. I only wish that today's writers, and directors could or would turn out movies of this caliber with actors who act and look like real frontiersmen.

I recorded "The Big Boodle" when it played on TCM and expected to see a "train wreck" of a movie based on articles and books I have read. I was most pleasantly surprised to see a very entertaining film. I thought that Errol Flynn and the supporting cast were uniformly good. Errol again showed what a great star and actor he really was. The plot was plausible and the pace of the movie moved right along. I am surprised by the negative reviews. "The Big Boodle" is a more substantial film than many more critically acclaimed films... and,by that,I mean mainstream movies that are supposedly "A" quality. Errol brings a worldly weariness appropriate to his role. I was surprised to see how fit he appeared and how involved he was in his portrayal. I believe that he would have been magnificent as Rhett Butler in "Gone With The Wind" which he lost reportedly, due to Betty Davis' refusal to make that movie with him in the leading role. "The Big Boodle" shows what a serious and outstanding actor he was in even a modestly budgeted film

I am surprised that this film has such a low rating. I watched it for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. As noted previously, Douglas Fowley who usually plays the villain really is perfectly believable as the hero. He always has such an ingratiating persona that I find it difficult to dislike him even when he is the "bad guy". He was truly a fine actor who deserves more acclaim. Clem Bevans was truly humorous as the supposedly wealthy businessman. The story was suspenseful and funny. Although it would be considered a "B" movie, it has more entertainment value than many "A" films.

I think so highly of this movie that I am going to keep it as a dvr recording until I purchase it on VHS or DVD. This is a gem that deserves more show time on television. I rank it an 8.