329. Man of the West

Man of the West
1958
Directed by Anthony Mann

Well, I suppose it is back to business with Man of the West.  On first glance, it seems like this is just the typical western.  Gary Cooper is a reluctant hero in an Anthony Mann western (Mann makes some fun westerns but they are never exactly original).  However, this movie was extremely different from what I was expecting and after getting used to formulaic 50s westerns, I was quite scandalized.

Gary Cooper goes on a train to try to find a school teacher for his town.  The train is robbed and he is left stranded with a tough broad and a kooky old-timer.  They walk until they reach a farmhouse, which is occupied from a gang from Gary Cooper's past.  Will he revert to his old villainous ways?  Will he become the hero that is inside him?  Will I continue to annoyingly ask you questions in this cheesy manner?  Watch the film to find out A and B!

Now, the above plot summary does not seem very outrageous.  However, there are several undressing scenes that are quite disturbing.  And, like it any western, men shoot each other, beat each other up, and spit a lot.  In this film, though, there was a lot of focus on the innocent victims of stupid men, whose only real power lies in their guns.  Anything else I say would be considered a spoiler, so I will stop there.

I do have a couple of problems with the movie.  I think Gary Cooper was getting just a little too old to be starring in this movie.  I am not saying older men don't have a place in the movies, but Cooper was fifty-six when he shot this movie.  He not only was playing the love interest of a woman who was twenty-five years younger than him, but was also physically besting men who were twenty years younger than him.  I do like him as an actor but maybe this role just wasn't for him.

I also wish the ending was different but again, there are no spoilers here.

Overall, still worth a watch but definitely not one of my favorites.  I can see, though, how this could have been an influence on Leone or Clintwood westerns.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

James Stewart wanted the lead role but because he had a fight with Mann, he did not get it.

295. The Man From Laramie

The Man From Laramie
1955
Directed by Anthony Mann

I did not take a whole lot away from this movie so it is hard for me to write a decent review of it.  This is the third Mann-Stewart film that we have had on the list and I am afraid that we peaked a bit too early with The Naked Spur.  There was nothing particularly wrong with the movie, but it brought absolutely nothing new to the table.

This story is pretty typical for a Western.  James Stewart wants to avenge his brother's death.  His brother was killed by Apaches (naturally) so he tries to figure out who is selling supplies to the Apache.  Along the way, he locks horns with some of the locals.

Off the top of my head, I could name about ten westerns that are all slight variations on this theme.  Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with this story, besides the blatant racism.  My favorite western is The Searchers, which also deals with revenge and those damn Injuns.  However, many westerns have done this kind of story better.  As is, this movie is slightly dull and very predictable.

Still, Jimmy Stewart is a great actor so the movie automatically gets points for that.  But this is an entirely dispensable western and I would recommend skipping it.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

As of last weekend, I have seen all of the Best Picture winners.  WOOHOO!  A lot of those movies were really dull, particularly the older ones, so if you are going to follow a list, I would recommend the 1001 list.  You know, if you are willing to watch around 920 more movies than you originally planned.

Considered to be the western version of King Lear.

Last of the Mann-Stewart westerns.

Trailer:

260. The Naked Spur

The Naked Spur
1953
Directed by Anthony Mann

By now on the list, we have seen at least 30 westerns.  So we have the same problem we did with film noir.  I enjoy the genres but they tend to blur together.  To stand out, the film has to be exceptional.  Unfortunately, this one wasn't.

That is not to say it is bad.  I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.  Jimmy Stewart is always a treat.  It was also fun seeing Janet Leigh in a movie other than Psycho.  And, of course, seeing the Rockies in Technicolor is pretty amazing. And I guess Jimmy Stewart's back story is a bit more interesting than usual, although I guess revealing that would count as a spoiler.

Still, you have to have some sort of hook or else it is just like every other western Hollywood makes.  And unfortunately, this film didn't have one.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Nominated for Best Screenplay.  Pretty weird for a western.

Millard Mitchell's last film before he died of lung cancer.

226. Winchester 73

Winchester 73
1950
Directed by Anthony Mann

On the surface, this looks a really cliche western.  You got James Stewart as a reluctant hero, the flat bad guys, and the blond dame that is tougher than she looks.  However, this is actually a deeper movie that I thought it was going to be.  Which is good news for me because that means a longer blog post and more procrastination!

So this movie is basically about a gun.  The film follows the gun as it changes hands many times.  Kind of like the Ring of Power.  Everybody wants it, but only Frodo will be able to handle its power and bring it to Mount Doom.  Ahem.  I meant James Stewart.

It goes without saying that the acting is excellent.  The directing is pretty inspired too; of course, Ford will always be the champion Western director, but Anthony Mann does a good job too.  Wow, that sounded way more condescending than I wanted it to be.  He's good, all right?  Let's just move on.

Anyway, like I said at the beginning, there are plenty of cliches in this film.  However, cliches in westerns are part of the charm of the genre.  There are really great characters in this film.  This review sucks but watch it anyway.  What can I say?  I'm tired!

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Jimmy Stewart took a percentage of the profits from the film instead of the regular acting fee.  He was one of the first actors to do this and started a trend that would ultimately end the studio-actor relationship.

Saved Jimmy Stewart's career as he was worried he was being typecast as a wimp.