(1950) Dallas
WESTERN
Westerns are definitely not like what they're used to anymore, and this is a prime example of it. Watching this movie is like reading a great Western novel, for there's so many things happening that it may require a second viewing. Stars Gary Cooper as an ex-confederate major Blayde Hollister, who's just escaped from a pointless hanging, with the help of an old friend who's just retiring, by the name of Wild Bill Hickok. Along with this little so-called act, is a less than experienced sheriff, recruited from Boston by the name of Martin Weatherby (Leif Erickson). Because Martin is new to the area of Dallas, and is also not a very good gun shooter, Blayde Hollister decides to pose as him, while Martin would go as his brother. Blayde's only objective for doing this is to settle an old score. There's also a subplot involving carpetbaggers, and underhanded scrupulous real estate developers involving the Marlow brothers. What I love about this movie is that there's always one exciting thing happening after another, that there were times I was unable to keep up with it. And the action sequences are well photographed and performed which we are not accustomed in seeing in Western films these days when all they do is talk, using a measly budget. And Gary Cooper performance is just as strong and commanding as he ever was.
Westerns are definitely not like what they're used to anymore, and this is a prime example of it. Watching this movie is like reading a great Western novel, for there's so many things happening that it may require a second viewing. Stars Gary Cooper as an ex-confederate major Blayde Hollister, who's just escaped from a pointless hanging, with the help of an old friend who's just retiring, by the name of Wild Bill Hickok. Along with this little so-called act, is a less than experienced sheriff, recruited from Boston by the name of Martin Weatherby (Leif Erickson). Because Martin is new to the area of Dallas, and is also not a very good gun shooter, Blayde Hollister decides to pose as him, while Martin would go as his brother. Blayde's only objective for doing this is to settle an old score. There's also a subplot involving carpetbaggers, and underhanded scrupulous real estate developers involving the Marlow brothers. What I love about this movie is that there's always one exciting thing happening after another, that there were times I was unable to keep up with it. And the action sequences are well photographed and performed which we are not accustomed in seeing in Western films these days when all they do is talk, using a measly budget. And Gary Cooper performance is just as strong and commanding as he ever was.