Movie Review: The Lucky Texan

I am an unapologetic fan of western movies - of course only the ones in which the conflict is between White people and I totally abhor those films in which Native Americans are portrayed as wild, cruel and uncultured people. Anyway when one thinks of western movies the first name that comes up is undoubtedly John Wayne. I have watched several of his movies including Big Jake, The Red River, among others.

The Lucky Texan is a movie that deals with the gold rush and how unscrupulous businessmen tried to usurp property of gullible individuals in the recent past in the United States. The protagonists in this movie are Jerry Mason effectively played by John Wayne and Jake Benson (George Gabby Hayes) who are partners in the gold mining operation. They have been able to keep their mining site a secret from everyone in the town. They want to extract as much gold as possible before they stake a claim on the mine so the area remains a secret.

Then there are two businessmen in the town who also have an eye on Jake Benson's ranch and are interested in knowing where the gold strike has happened. Meanwhile Jake's grand daughter comes to live with him from New York and life begins to get complicated. The businessmen follow Jake and try to kill him and steal his gold and then use some fraudulent documents to claim the ranch. Things take an ugly turn from here on but the end is funny court scene which has to be watched.

This movie is not one of the best of John Wayne's but it is definitely one that cemented his acting career. He is at his formative years as an actor and definitely has an appealing screen presence. It is available free to watch on Youtube, go ahead and enjoy it.

Tall in the Saddle - Movie Review

I am a big aficionado of John Wayne movies. I try and watch every movie I get hold of starring John Wayne. His imposing screen presence, smart dialogue delivery and rough demeanor make it highly entertaining. I have enjoyed his performances in Big Jake, Red River, and a whole list of others. I stumbled upon Tall in the Saddle on youtube and decided to watch this 1944 monochrome flick.

As expected the movie is all about the land, inheritance, treachery, gun men, swindling and of course horse riding. The movie is set in an era when there were no automobiles, the only mode of transport was horses and carriages. The movie starts with the arrival of Rocklin (Wayne) along with a beautiful young woman Clara Cardell along with her domineering aunt. Rocklin has come to work at the Cardell Ranch while Clara has come to claim her inheritance. Old man Cardell who promised employment to Rocklin is dead.

Rocklin has a run in with Arly Haroldy, the young and beautiful owner of the Topaz Ranch that adjoins the Cardell ranch. After being shamed Arly wants to take revenge and hires Rocklin as a foreman in her ranch. Things start getting nasty at this point, there is an attempt on Rocklin's life and he soon comes to know that some unscruplus elements are trying to cheat Clara off her property. Rocklin returns to town to settle scores and there ensures lots of fist fights and few gun fights before the movie draws to a close with a totally unexpected twist.

What I like about this movie is it is short and fast paced. There is no unnecessary conversation, and drama. The best part of the movie I'd say is not the gunfight or the fist fight but the smart one liners delivered effectively by John Wayne and the amazingly hilarious facial expressions and kinesthetics by the drunk carriage driver.

Thoroughly enjoyable I'd recommend this to anyone interested in western movies.