Cowboy (1958)

Wonderful character development!

A Brilliant Conflict

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Much praised by professional critics in its day, this movie seems to have disappeared. I've never seen it on TV and if there was a DVD release, it was certainly not stocked by any of my local stores. So here is an update of my original review: The screenplay has something to say, and says it well. Here's the real West where men were real men and buddies only occasionally ride to the rescue. The action spots are solidly handled and the shots of rugged, picturesque landscapes stay in the mind, along with such memorable episodes as the rattler thrown into the camp. Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon share all the highlights, with Richard Jaeckel backing them up on a couple of memorable occasions. Ultra-publicized Anna Kashfi – in her third of only four movies – has little to do except to look sorrowful (which she does rather well). The movie also has a highly appropriate music score by George Duning. The action scenes still come across with a high degree of power, despite the very obvious use of doubles. In all, the movie is extremely well produced by Julian Blaustein. He also handled Broken Arrow and Cowboy.

Cowboy is directed by Delmer Daves and adapted to screenplay by Edmund H. North and Dalton Trumbo from Frank Harris' book My Reminiscences as a Cowboy. It stars Glenn Ford, Jack Lemmon, Víctor Manuel Mendoza, Anna Kashfi, Dick York, King Donovan, Brian Donlevy and Richard Jaeckel. Music is by George Duning and cinematography by Charles Lawton Junior.Based on Frank Harris' memoir, the story finds Lemmon as Harris, a Chicago hotel clerk who in an attempt to prove he is a man and impress the girl he loves, wrangles his way onto a cattle drive being led by rough and tough cowpoke Tom Reece (Ford). He soon finds that out there on the range, in amongst the dust, beef and perils of the west, that life is far from glamorous.Once you buy into Lemmon as a Western character, accepting his transference from utter greenhorn into a man of the drive, it really becomes a very good film. It's a sort of debunking of the cowpoke myths whilst playing out as a character study of two men, who are polar opposites, as they build an understanding and ultimately help each other to grow and learn. Along the way, from Chicago to the Rio Grande, there is fights, death, stampedes and tests of loyalties and manhood. The great Delmer Daves directs it without fuss or filler (how nice that the romantic arc is rightly a side issue and doesn't get in the way) and Lawton's photography brings the sprawling landscapes to life. Lead cast members are excellent, with Ford once again providing rich characterisation by way of layered acting, and Lemmon rises up to the challenge of genre work outside of what he would be known for. In support Donlevy is his usual excellent self, making what could have been a clichéd character (aging gunfighter wants to leave his past behind) interesting with emotional depth, and Mendoza as the Ramrod is good foil for Ford. There's some quibbles, such as Dick York hard to take seriously, Jaeckel and Strother Martin (uncredited) wasted and some of the humour doesn't come off. But this is a very enjoyable film, one that thrives on having some character depth and actually something worthy to say. 7.5/10

Talking to a friend recently about up coming sales soon to be taking place in the post-Holiday season,I was surprised to hear that HMV were planning to hold a 25% off sale in the next week or so.With having heard for a number of months about HMV being on pretty "shaky" ground,I decided that this would be the best time for me to cash in the £2 which I had gathered in credit on their loyalty card.Walking past the aisles filled with clunky,cheap plastic looking headphones,I originally hoped to pick up Walter Hill's Southern Comfort,but quickly found out that this batch of southern hospitality was no where in sight in the store.Being in the mood of watching a Western very soon,I was pleased to find,in amongst the vastly overpriced other titles ( £10 for a 1 disc edition of The Searchers!) a Western co-starring an actor from the TV show Bewitched!,which,with a little bit of help from my money off points,I could pick up for a wallet breaking £2.The plot:Feeling down after being ordered by his boss to empty the room where his secret love's family has been staying, (who give Frank Harris a special bonus,by telling him that he can not go near their daughter again,after Maria Vidal's dad finds out that Harris has secretly been writing poetry to her) due to one of the most wealthiest cowboys coming to stay in the hotel with his gang,Frank Harris decides to take the first opportunity that arrives,when he discovers that "wealthy" cowboy Tom Reece is planning to leave the hotel after one night,due to having lost all his cash gambling with his buddies. Convincing Tom to stay at the hotel,Frank gives Harris every penny of his savings,so that he can rebuild his reputation at the gambling table.Going back to the table with a new sense of vigour,Reece quickly wipes the floor with his opponents and regains all of the cash that he had previously lost.Thanking Harris for his generously,Tom decides to meet Frank the next day,so that he can give him back his savings,and also give him a "personal" thank you,by including all of the extra cash that he won the previous night with Harris's money.To Tom's complete surprise,Frank tells him that he does not want any of the money to be given back,but to instead be given something that money could never buy:become one of Reece's cowboys.Astonished by getting an offer of his turned down for the first time ever,Reece grudgingly agrees to Harris becoming a cowboy,when his gang tells him,that if Frank is willing to show this much daring to get into the saddle,he should be a perfect fit for their huge upcoming task of safely transferring cattle across a vast distance.Originally expecting to find his new job as a cowboy to be one filled with camaraderie and thrilling adventures,Harris soon finds out that there is a much darker side to being a cowboy than he ever could have expected.View on the film:Opening with a dazzling,stylised title sequence by Saul Bass,director Delmer Daves uses Tecnicolour in the first half to brilliantly put the viewer in the bright red cheeks world of Frank Harris,where every object in the hotel is covered in spilling colours and the opportunity to become a cowboy is connected to a strong sense of wonderment and awe of discovering "the great outdoors" for the first time.Showing the excitement in Franks life,Daves contrasts the shining colours in the first half by giving the film an atmospheric,moody downcast appearance,which shows that Franks dreams are far from the bitter reality,which instead of being filled with shootouts and riding into sunsets,has Harris starting to relies that he is only part of a machine,and also witnessing death at the most unexpected moments.Along with expertly creating two contrasting atmospheres,Daves also makes each of the movies excellent action scenes ones that feel very realistic,with a particular highlight of the film being a scene which involves playing a "game" with a bull,that is intensely shoot close so as to make the viewer feel that the bull could kill the "player" at any moment.Whilst his work on this adaptation of Frank Harris's autobiography would sadly be kept hidden for years,due to being blacklisted at the time (which led to fellow writer/actor Edmund H. North "fronting" as the writer of the movie) the screenplay by Dalton Trumbo gradually shows Harris's changing personality in an expertly handled subtle manner.Making Franks initially encounters with Reece ones that feature a light Comedy touch,Trumbo shows the wide open arm way that Harris's initially treats Frank and his fellow cowboys to harden,as Harris finds all his fantasy crushed,to instead be replaced by a world packed with bitter,mean and cold hearted people.Although the wonderful supporting cast (which includes a charming Dick York and a cute,future Mrs Marlan Brando Anna Kashfi) are disappointingly given half sketch roles,Jack Lemon and Glenn Ford both give mesmerising performances,with Lemon showing the smirk which had hidden behind Harris's innocent smile,and Ford showing Reece's sudden fear that Frank might be transforming into him.

Formidable Western full of action , ironic touches , fascinating drama , Mexican fiesta , cattle round-up , romantic episodes and fabulous performances . Fine and classic Western by Delmer Daves with a magnificent Jack Lemmon and a restrained Glenn Ford . It's a wonderful adventure film format "western" itinerant, full of amusing events , danger and life lessons . In the 1870s a Chicago hotel clerk named Frank Harris (a notoriously mendacious Jack Lemmon in his usual role ) dreams of life as a cowboy , and the tenderfoot gets his opportunity when , jilted by the dad of the girl (Anna Kashfi) he wishes , he unites forces with Tom Reece (Glenn Ford) and his cattle-driving team (Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and Brian Donlevy) . Soon after, though, the ex-clerk finds out existence on the range is neither what he expected nor what he's been wishing . The brave clerk agrees to covenant with Tom a 2.000 mile cattle drive from Chicago until arrive their destination in the Rio Grande , overcoming several risks , avoiding Indian attacks , cattle stampede and several other things .This first-rate Western draws its riveting tale and power from the interaction of finely drawn roles as well as adventure and action . Good adult Western with exciting battle of wits between an obstinate clerk and an expert cowboy . Interesting and likable screenplay based on own reminiscences by novelist Frank Harris and well adapted by the notorious Edmund H. North and the black-listed Dalton Trumbo . Delmer Daves does a good work , an energetic and exciting movie , pitting two antagonist characters against the rugged toughness forced a vast natural environment throughout the trail . Highlight the exemplary value of the landscape as essential dramatic figure, and the narrative takes a brisk pace but not fast, a dash dense but not cumbersome. Glenn Ford as stern boss does an excellent interpretation along with a great cast that appears beautiful Anna Kashfi and other nice secondaries as Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and special appearance by veteran Brian Donlevy. Striking cinematography by Charles Lawton Jr who reflects masterfully the spectacular outdoors . Atmospheric and stirring musical score by George Duning , well conducted by habitual Morris Stoloff . The motion picture is well directed by Delmer Daves - including his characteristic use of landscape- , a Western expert as proved in ¨The hanging tree¨ , ¨3:10 to Yuma¨, ¨The last wagon¨, Jubal , ¨Drum beat¨, ¨Return of the Texan¨, and the notorious ¨Broken arrow¨ . And of course ¨Cowboy¨ that turns out to be stylish, fast paced , solid, meticulous and with enjoyable look . This well acted movie is gripping every step of the way . An unjustly forgotten film results to be a good western and remains consistently agreeable . Rating : Above average , worthwhile watching .