THE PALEFACE (Released to Theaters USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Paleface—cute—pairs Bob Hope and Jane Russell for a little dance with comedy and romance. The movie has good presentation,  story, portrayal, and acting. This is a fun romp and worth a family's   one time watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Calamity Jane can earn a government pardon from jail time if she accepts a government assignment.      Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Norman Z. McLeod for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Robert L. Welch for making the film possible. Cast includes Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Robert Armstrong, Iris Adrian, Bobby Watson, Jackie Searl, Joseph Vitale, Charles Trowbridge, Clem Bevens, and Jeff York.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie allows a full swing at comedy and serves as a light, feel good film.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (Released to Theaters USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Treasure of the Sierra Madre—simple story—has great  acting that accesses the skills of Walter Huston (father of John Huston), Tim Holt, and Humphrey Bogart. This is a sit down and watch film that relies on simple southwestern scenery. Wait for the terrific, unexpected concluding scenes.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  Two men, trying to make a dollar, meet an old timer who dreams of wealth from mining gold and knows where to find it.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director John Huston for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jack L. Warner, and Producer Henry Blanke, for making the film possible. Cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt, Bruce Bennett, Barton MacLane, Alfonso Bedoya, Arturo Soto Rangel, Manuel Dondé, and José Torvay.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch and tells a simple story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALBUQUERQUE (Released to Theaters USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Albuquerque—Randolph Scott—works like a cookie cutter movie. While it serves as an afternoon, easy-on-the-mind western themed movie, it is interesting enough to finish due to its story which is strong enough to follow. Without the presence of Gabby Hayes the film could have some bland parts. Randolph Scott is stronger and better than he was in Canadian Pacific, and plays a good part for the lead actor. The movie is no worse or better than other B-grade films.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline   Cole Armin travels by stage to work in his uncle's mining business. He soon finds that his uncle is corrupt and changes positions.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ray Enright for directing effort. Thank you to Producers William H. Pine, and William C. Thomas, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Lon Chaney Jr., Russell Hayden, Catherine Craig, George Cleavland, Irving Bacon, and Bernard Nedell.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, it's a simple watch that does not tax emotion or mental effort to watch and provides a view of early western movie stars to include George 'Gabby' Hayes, a very nice addition to this film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RED RIVER (Theatrical Release USA 1948)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Red River can be a little campy, archaic, and weak in presentation at times. But there is an art in the movie that cannot be denied…almost like a Picasso painting where everything does not fit together perfectly but overall is likable in its uniqueness. John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, and Walter Brennan capture a certain spirit of the age that refreshingly does not apologize for its goals and how it gets those goals accomplished. Directors Howard Hawks and Arthur Rosson establish the movement of the movie. The movie could be almost called a cult classic. The film has a good, light conclusion. It is worth an afternoon watch…maybe a couple of afternoons because it is over a 2-hour entertainment piece. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man starts up a new Texas cattle ranch and moves the marketable cattle along the Chisholm Trail. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Howard Hawks for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Howard Hawks for making the film possible. Cast includes: John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Joanne Dru, Walter Brennan, Coleen Grey, Harry Carey, John Ireland, Noah Beery Jr. Harry Carey Jr. Chief Yowlackie, Paul Fix, Hank Worden, Mickey Kuhn, and Ray Hyke. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie shows its age both in scripting and presentation. It’s an interesting study in vintage film-ology and is a good picture to use if studying Walter Brennan, the Chisholm Trail, or John Wayne films. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers