Kit Carson

Well they just don't make them like this anymore. I for one would enjoy new releases of this calibre of the western genre. The original western cowboy and the officer and a gentleman vying for the heart of the classy lady who is travelling across the prairies heading for California to re-unite with her wealthy cattle rancher father. The only problem is there are hundreds of Indians behind the tall hills who do not want the Americans settling on the land that they already are sharing with the Mexicans who also have aspirations of taking the beautiful state of California land as their own.

The rugged frontiersman is a real life cowboy named Kit Carson (played by Jon Hall) who has teamed up with two of his best friends and loyal followers whose names appropriately are Ape (Ward Bond), and Lopez (Harold Huber). These three amigos agree to be the lead scouts for the wagon train that the unmarried damsel named Dolores Murphy (Lynn Bari) has secured their services for a wheel barrel full of cash. The wagon train also has a flank of American soldiers at their side led by Captain John C. Fremont (Dana Andrews).

What is different about this western/romance is that the two alpha males who are vying for Ms. Murphy's affections act more like the courteous animated chipmunks Chip and Dale then two adversaries. Both are true gentlemen and only want Ms. Murphy to be happy with her choice for her future husband.

This film is filled with action, light humor, cowboys and Indians, chivalry, romance and a pretty darn good ending for a black and white film released 78 years ago. I liked it a lot and I give it a sound 7 out of 10 rating.

It's really rewarding when you can find a gem where you weren't expecting to. I watched "Kit Carson" because it was raining and golf was cancelled, and I wanted to kill some time. What a surprise to see Jon Hall, of all people, in an action-packed story better than many with higher ratings. I figure it must have been the second feature paired with a more expensive picture, but this one held its own. It moves along at a good clip with some good second unit work on several fight scenes between the settlers and the Cavalry troop, led by Capt. Dana Andrews, chief scout Jon Hall and sidekick Ward Bond. One of the settlers wagons is driven by Clayton Moore - you can close your eyes when he talks and he becomes the Lone Ranger. Close your eyes again, and Jon Hall sounds like Randolph Scott, soft drawl and all.

See it when it's on again if you like surprises and action westerns, and overlook the plot holes. It's one of those pictures that is better the younger you are. I found it was nice to be young again.

Star rating is in the heading. The website no longer prints mine.

Aside from the novelty of seeing Jon Hall and Harold Huber in a western (as neither were the type to usually do westerns), there isn't a whole lot distinctive about this western. It's one of a billion (give or take 5) that are completely fictional stories about real life westerners. In this case, it's Kit Carson--an interesting guy but also someone where about 98% of what you read and see in movies about his is complete fiction. In this case, it's pretty much more of the same.

Kit (Jon Hall) and his friends (Harold Huber and Ward Bond) have just finished an adventure which includes the hilarious pastime of killing Indians and scalping them. So, when the cavalry officer (Dana Andrews) asks them to guide a wagon train west to California, Kit is not interested. However, when Kit gets a gander at a feisty lady, he completely changes his mind and leads the settlers. The problem is that an evil Spanish megalomaniac is planning on turning California into is own little fiefdom and plans on wiping out the settlers. Can Kit and the cavalry stop this nut-job and make America safe for more white folks wanting Indian scalps? Bad history but somewhat entertaining. Not a great film but a decent one if you adore the genre. Not much more I want to say about this rather forgettable film.

This Kit Carson doesn't run for historical truth, that's clear. But it's pure joyful entertainment with plenty twists and fast paced battles and a lot of surprising details (bath sequence). The tahitian Jon Hall is impressive as the leader of a convoy towards California braked by Shoshones helped by Mexican dictator Castro who wants to kill all Americans going to California. Carson is constantly determined to find quickly the right solutions to these constant dangers and it's fascinating. The triangle love story with Carson, his friend officer Frémont (a young but not yet great Dana Andrews) and beautiful Lynn Bari reminds me of some Howard Hawks movies, Carson and Frémont always being fair. I chose that DVD without knowing the director nor Jon Hall, but I saw a picture on the sleeve of the Monument Valley and that's how I decided to buy this DVD, and the Monument sequences are wonderful, I only regret it wasn't shot in colour. Anyway, a nice western that really reminds me of Howard Hawks.

Action-filled story peopled with many great characters, beautifully played by some excellent actors, all make this a very watchable movie.

It had been years since I saw Jon Hall and I understand why he was as popular as he was but don't understand why he's relatively unknown now.

Hall played the title character and Dana Andrews was an excellent John C. Fremont, both real historical people.

Ward Bond again showed why he was and is still popular: Great actor and very personable.

Harold Huber was another superb character actor, one of those Hollywood standbys without whom movies just couldn't be made. Here he puts on a quite good Spanish accent, and his character is a strong and necessary partner to the Carson character.

Lynn Bari was, as usual, lovely, but she too played a strong character.

There were just too many excellent players to name them all. For now, just know it will be worth your time to see this "Kit Carson," wherever you can find a copy. I found mine at Kanopy, a service of many public libraries.