La rivière de la poudre

I'm not really a fan of Rory Calhoun, but I enjoyed his character in this picture. It tells a story with a bit more depth and a few surprises, while still providing action, romance and some terrific western scenery. While Calhoun's character, Chino Bull, is still country-suave and in control, he doesn't convey the snide quality that was an undercurrent in his later television work. The story line carries some standard western baggage, but at the same time it veers away with unexpected plot developments that were a bit more sophisticated than the type of that era, presaging the so-called "adult westerns" that became the standard in the 1950s and '60s. The female characters, unfortunately, are given the usual supportive roles. Still, it's an interesting story against some beautiful backgrounds.

Louis King means squat to me as a director: the only other film of his that I saw was DANGEROUS MISSION! And I cannot remember it in any detail though I rated it 7/10.

Rory Calhoun rules the roost here: he blends Wyatt Earp and Destry, though at the start he is a humble, no nonsense gold digger who knows who killed his mining sidekick, wants to avenge that death, takes on the role of sheriff, and never wears a gun - very much like Jimmy Stewart in DESTRY RIDES AGAIN.

In turn, Cameron Mitchell plays Mitch Hardin, an ultra quick gun hand who, like Doc Holliday, boozes far more than good health requires. As if that were not disruptive enough, he also coughs and suffers from severe headaches that disable him every so often, at times right in the middle of a shootout. I found myself laughing at his plight, but Hardin - the name of a real and famous killer among gunfighters in the Old West - is loyal to Calhoun, even if their relationship does not get off to a wholesome start, as both have their eye on the same female. In the end, poor handsome Calhoun gets no girl but Hardin - who saves his girlfriend's life by removing a bullet from her chest, so he is a qualified but often inebriated medical doctor - sounds ever more like Doc Holliday.

Good cinematography, fair screenplay. Generally good fun. 7/10.

This Western has two good things going for it; dialogue by Daniel Mainwaring who wrote fiction under the name of Geoffrey Homes. For those who recall ' Out of the Past, ' or alternatively titled ' Build My Gallows High, ' he was responsible for the novel it was based on, and the dialogue in the film. Some say it is the greatest Film Noir and they could be right. Turned screenwriter he wrote the dialogue for this film and it is first rate; complex, snappy and full of energy. Out of the actors in the film Cameron Mitchell as a tormented man, threatened by death and afraid of it gives a first rate performance. The story itself is the usual one of stolen gold, and tracking down the killer of a man who was protecting it. No spoilers but Rory Calhoun gets to be the man to do that, and his performance is as slick and over polished as ever. However much he tries to portray a ' good man ' the fake smile shows up the opposite and spoils the illusion. Corinne Calvet plays a saloon girl in love with Mitchell. And she does her best to make you believe in her. As a Western it is good, but as usual the town is too clean for the period and the clothes too clean. Personally I like this decade of Western mythology, and the colour is excellent, and a shootout on a boat adrift and heading for the river's rapids is first rate. There is even a carriage on the boat which gives the scene a surreal touch. I give it a 7 for Cameron Mitchell and the dialogue.

Rory Calhoun was a staple hero in all kinds of films during the 50s. His performances were always great, abetted by his handsome, rugged looks and the ease into which he fit into a number of hero roles. In this one, a kind of standard western, he plays an ex-lawman who returns to the trade when his partner is killed. During the time he cleans up the town, defeats bad guys played by veteran character actors Carl Betz and John Dehner, gets his semi-revenge, on the antihero, played by Cameron Mitchell, wows the French bombshell, Corinne Calvert and, of course, gets the girl. It's great 50s entertainment with a total lack of CGI action, extensive blood and gore and good honest villains and good guys. (*sigh) They just don't make movies like this any more. Watch for it on the late show. There's no DVD or video listed. Calhoun was always worth the price of admission.

If you're thinking that you might have seen Powder River before you would be right. If you saw Frontier Marshal or My Darling Clementine and noted in Powder River's credits that it's derived from a book by Stuart Lake than you'll know the source. Rory Calhoun plays a Wyatt Earp like marshal who has quit law enforcement for prospecting.

But when his partner Frank Ferguson is bushwhacked and robbed of the gold they've panned, Calhoun takes on the marshal's job. He also makes the acquaintance of a pair of outlaw brothers Carl Betz and John Dehner. And a terminally ill and alcoholic doctor Cameron Mitchell who is lightning fast with a six gun.

There's also a bit of Destry Rides Again added to the mix with French speaking saloon owner Corinne Calvet. The good girl from back east who wants to bring Mitchell home to save his life is former Roy Rogers leading lady Penny Edwards.

The best part of Powder River is a nice action gunfight in a foiled stagecoach robbery with Calhoun and Mitchell joining forces. The guys and the stagecoach are on a river ferry with the outlaws firing on them from shore and the ferry cut loose is heading for the rapids. All nicely staged.

If you've seen My Darling Clementine or Frontier Marshal you know how this one comes out. Calhoun made several good westerns in the Fifties and Sixties. But it's Mitchell who has the best role, the Doc Holiday part is always the best one every time this story is retold.