whitec-3

(2012-04-25 23:09:39)

Robust Western with good small production values

Any film with Richard Dix is worth a chance not only because he's alikable and powerful figure but he seemed to bounce around the edges ofthe studio system so that his films vary standard formulas inunpredictable ways. The Kansan's saloon sets are excellent, forinstance, and the crowds well directed--other posts mention theremarkably modern dance number (with perspectival backdrops) and theextended brawl with well-choreographed sequences and characterhighlights. Outdoor cinematography at the toll-bridge across whichseveral incidents of the plot transpire featured impressive depth andangle.A big stable of acting talent also raises this film's quality, but I'lllet other posters provide those kudos.My only difference with other posters is their near-blanketcondemnation of the Bones character played by the terrific WilliamBest. Certainly most of the film's racial dynamics are regrettablystereotypical, but Dix and Best interact as two smart guys recognizingeach other. The film's single best moment for me was when the Jorycharacter enters Best's servant quarters at the Sager Hotel. When Jorywalks in, the Bones character is READING, which suggests that not justWillie Best but his character knows that Bones's minstrel persona is anact. Further, when Jory leaves the room, the door swings shut to reveala portrait of Lincoln.

Mike-764

(2012-04-25 01:52:55)

Excellent Dix Vehicle

In Broken Lance, Kansas, John Bonniwell averts the Jesse James gang fromholding up the town bank, but is severely wounded in the process. When heawakes in the hospital, he finds that he has been elected town marshall,with high recommendations from the bank owner and leading citizen, SteveBarat. Bonniwell accepts the job (especially after getting an eyeful of thehotel owner Eleanor Sager) even though he knows that he was only appointedto become a pawn in Barat's scheme to bleed Broken Lance, and the Kansas,dry. Bonniwell's position is put to the test when Barat sues Bonniwell'sfriend Waggoner for running his cattle without paying the $1 a head tollenforced by Barat. When he sees that Bonniwell isn't going to be controlledso easily, Barat has Bonniwell's enemies go after him followed by an attemptby Barat's gambling brother, Jeff (who seems to be playing both sides of thestandoff, while in love with Eleanor). Bonniwell then starts to rid BrokenLance of Barat's influence without losing his life, or anyone else's, in theprocess. Very good western with an excellent script, direction,characterization, and performances by everyone. Dix is right at home asBonniwell, even though he seems awkward at times. Jory gives one of his bestperformances as Jeff, and his characterization is very surprising anddifferent from others in the genre. The movie also contains one of thebiggest barroom free for alls in any western, with everyone getting into thefracas. Only flaw was the climax was not as action packed as other sequencesin the movie, but still a winner all the way. Rating, based on B westerns(this may count as a B+ however), 9.