What a thrill it is for me to be able to say that I experienced the tremendous presence of John Wayne on the big screen.I was but a lad of 7 when I was taken to a local theater to see this, one of the last performances of one of the biggest stars ever. This is without question the ultimate boys-to-men story.Duke (in the character of Wil Anderson) is faced with a dilemma. There is cattle to drive and no available men in town due to an epidemic of gold fever.There's no one left but a classroom full of boys aged 15 and younger.He seems insulted at first at the notion of taking them on,but left with no choice,he does. Any young child, such as I was at the time,almost wished he could come along for the ride.By the end of the film,they may still be boys in body,but they have the spirit of young men. Excellent casting here,with Bruce Dern as one of the most effective screen villains ever,and the memorable performance of Roscoe Lee Browne as worldly and intelligent Jebediah Nightlinger.As a grown man viewing this film today,I can honestly say that the Duke is still my hero.
4/12/2007 R.I.P. Roscoe Lee Browne (1925-2007)
4/12/2007 R.I.P. Roscoe Lee Browne (1925-2007)