Ramona

Spanish Loretta Young (!) was raised by a wealthy family. The family's son loves Loretta but she loves Indian Don Ameche (oh boy). Then she finds out that she's also half-Indian, which makes her happy as she can marry Ameche. It's one of those movies, folks. When Ameche rides into view and you realize he's gone full Tonto for this picture, you basically have two choices: turn it off or soldier on, knowing full well this is going to be a little hard to swallow.

The early Technicolor is nice and makes the beautiful scenery pop. Young is lovely, even with the jet black hair that doesn't suit her. Speaking of lovely, Katherine DeMille appears in this and her beauty is also enhanced by the color. Good support from Jane Darwell, J. Carrol Naish, and Pauline Frederick. John Carradine has a small part. It's a well-intentioned bit of hokum. Amusing at times but depressing if you take it seriously.

While Loretta Young and Don Ameche get top billing, there is no question that the real star of "Ramona" is the "new perfected technicolor" as the film's poster declared in 1936. The film was the 4th to be shot in the "perfected" 3-strip color process.

"Ramona" does looks beautiful. Its the slow-moving plot that really does the film in. I've seen travelogues from the period that have more to hold a viewer's attention. Basically, the story revolves around a taboo romance between Young (a beautiful Spanish girl) and Ameche (the friendly Indian). The most interesting aspect of the plot is the fact that the white settlers are portrayed as the villains, grabbing the land and possessions of the peaceful Indians...an unusually politically correct position for a mid 1930's movie.

If you're a fan of Loretta Young, Don Ameche, or beautiful technicolor, "Ramona" is worth a look...at least once. Repeat viewings could be painful.

Ramona (1936)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

A young half Indian woman (Loretta Young) marries an Indian (Don Ameche) but their lives take a turn for the worse when white folks run them off their land. This is an extremely depressing and somewhat shocking film that actually shows the Indians as the good people and the white's as savages, which wasn't common back in the day. The two stars do their usual great work but the direction is all over the place. The Indians aren't well written considering most are talking with Spanish accents. John Carradine has a small role. From what I gathered, this was the forth feature to use 3-strip Technicolor.

I was surprised to find that the song Ramona made so famous as the theme in the 1927 silent that gave Dolores Del Rio her most notable part in silent films was not included. It was such a very big hit, but I suppose there were copyright problems. In any event Alfred Newman's score for this version of Ramona is one of many things to recommend it.

Another is the stunning color cinematography, this version of Ramona is the first western to be in technicolor. And apparently the color has held up well or the film had a good restoration. The cast is led by Loretta Young in the title role and Don Ameche in his breakout role as Alessandro the Indian who falls for Ramona and she him.

Young who is a mixed race girl who has been raised at Pauline Frederick's hacienda in California of the 1870s has finds out about herself and confesses love for Ameche who is a top hand around the place. That earns her and Ameche banishment, but they go and start a farm of their own. But it's only the beginning of their troubles from newly arriving American settlers. Indians were specifically exempted from the Homestead Act and I'll say no more.

Standing out in the supporting cast is Jane Darwell who is doing her part as the kindly pioneer woman who takes in Ameche and Young as a dress rehearsal for Ma Joad. She has her standards, but since Ameche and Young are Christians they're welcome in her house. In fact the three of them are the most 'Christian' characters in the film.

One part that makes no sense to me is Kent Taylor as Frederick's son and soon to be patron of the hacienda. He's rather insipid and poorly defined as a character.

Henry King is a director who should be given more study. Because he was studio contract director as opposed to an independent like Ford or Hitchcock he's given short shrift. Look down the list of his credits and you'll see some great classics. Other than Taylor and not his or Taylor's fault since the character is poorly defined he got great performances from his cast.

Interracial love was one daring topic for 1936 or 1927 or even in silent versions before that. Ramona is a fine film of social significance and a great tragic romantic love story.

Back in the 1930s and 40s, Hollywood was extremely insensitive (and stupid) about casting folks for minority roles. However, that was the time and you just need to keep your politically correct instincts in check when you watch this one! Imagine.....Loretta Young playing a woman who is half American Indian and half Mexican! While this sounds dumb, understand that the likes of Rock Hudson played Indians in films--or Don Ameche cast as a full-blooded native like he is in "Ramona"!! As for J. Carrol Naish--like Anthony Quinn, he played just about everything (except blacks) in films--so it isn't surprising he's in this one playing a Mexican. Plus, frankly, he's played so many nationalities, most everyone at the time had no idea what his heritage really is!! But Loretta Young and Don Ameche--with their lovely American diction (especially Ameche, who is practically the epitome of politeness and class)!!! What were the executives thinking (or smoking)?! "Ramona" must have been a prestige picture for 20th Century-Fox, as it is filmed in beautiful 1930s-style Three-Strip Technicolor--a HUGE expense at the time and something reserved only for the best films. In fact, it was the first such film made by the studio.

When the film begins, Ramona is in love with a cultured man from a very good family. So does she....or so she thinks. Eventually the truth is discovered--she's a half-breed! And she's forced to leave her home by some real jerk-faces. But before she goes, her native friend (Ameche) tells her that he's loved her--and she is thrilled, as she loves him, too. So, they run away together and get married. However, their life is tough, as folks are quite prejudiced towards them--throwing them off their farm. Can they somehow find a place that will accept the strangely cultured couple--and their new baby?! Overall, I'd say the writing isn't bad (but it is a bit schmaltzy) and the film manages to be watchable in spite of some terrible casting.

By the way, if you want to see other films with equally ridiculous casting, try finding "The Conquerer" (with John Wayne as Genghis Khan and red-headed Susan Hayward as his bride, Bortai)--or most any Charlie Chan film.