Comment

Jan 03, 2016Monolith rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This Howard Hawks production, as a response to screenwriter Carl Foreman's "High Noon" with Gary Cooper, (labeled as an "un-American" film by Wayne), is the epitome of The Duke's films. The definitive John Wayne Western, for me. 'Sheriff John T. Chance' is in full swagger... with a tremendous supporting cast. The late, great crooner Dino, as his suffering, sober sidekick 'Dude' (or 'Borachón'/Drunk); baby-faced (and kinda dorky) 18 year old (teenage heartthrob at the time) Ricky Nelson as young gun 'Colorado'; 'John T's' seductive, chatterbox love interest Angie Dickinson as 'Feathers' (who was almost half Wayne's age); Pedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez as 'Carlos', the hilarious Mexican innkeeper with high blood pressure... Ah, but then there's 'Stumpy'. Where would this film be without cackling, hooting, shotgun shooting Stumpy? Walter Brennan was a gem, and he cracks me up every time I watch this. I absolutely treasure this '59 classic. FIVE STARS.