This John Wayne western, was released in 1944. It is today considered a mini classic. It starred Duke, with Ella Raines, Ward Bond and Gabby Hayes. The file was co-written by Paul Fix, one of Duke’s best friends. Fix also had a role in the film.
Robert Fellows was the producer and later became Duke’s partner in Wayne-Fellows Productions which made several of Wayne’s movies in the 50′s. Edwin Marin was the director.
The film has Wayne as a women hating cowhand, who comes to town work for his uncle. When Duke learns of the mystery surrounding the death of his uncle, he keeps the relationship quiet. Ward Bond plays the corrupt lawyer Judge Garvey who is conspiring with the apparent heirs (Duke’s female cousin in the film)aunt to steal the ranch.
Ella Raines is great as a true western cowgirl, dressed in pants and shotgun chaps. Raines tries to win Duke’s heart in the film. There are some good scenes between the two, including where she shoots at Duke to keep him from walking away from her. Hayes plays his usual role as a sidekick to Duke.
There are a couple of noteworthy scenes in the movie. The best is the fight between Duke and Bond. It is one of the better fights in Wayne’s films. There is another scene where Duke and Ella must ride togather. During the filming, a bell was rung to start the scene. Raines’s horse a former horse racer would take off running at the sound of the bell, which would ruin the scene, because there was supposed to be dialogue between Duke and Ella while they were riding. They finally stopped ringing the bell so Ella’s horse wouldn’t think it was a race!
This was a very good movie, that not many people remember.
