Lone Star (1952)

Very Cool!!!

Perfectly adorable

I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

This review contains a spoiler.Reviewers should proofread what they write before submitting it to IMDb- -case in point, the review that says "1945" instead of "1845." That said, the historical background for this film is so inaccurate as to be pointless. The facts are that Texas was a republic after its victory against Santa Anna at San Jacinto in 1836 and had its president, congress, ambassadors to other nations, and a navy for nine years.The film is set in 1845. Andrew Jackson died on June 8, 1845. But the U.S. Congress had already approved annexation on February 26, the Texas legislature approved annexation in July, Texas residents approved annexation in October, and Texas was officially made a part of the United States on December 29, 1845.So the film's plot about Texas becoming a republic makes no sense, since it already was for the past nine years. The business of a treaty between Texas and Mexico makes no sense either, because Mexico never recognized the independence of Texas. The official annexation of Texas may have heightened tensions between the United States and Mexico, but it did not in and of itself start the U.S.-Mexico War which began when U.S. and Mexican troops clashed in the area between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers in March 1846, and Congress declared war in April 1846.The end of this film strains credibility. After pro-annexation and anti-annexation forces spend considerable effort to kill each other, Sam Houston shows up escorted by Mescalero Apaches(!)and makes an impassioned speech that ignites super-patriotism among the conflicting groups, and the film ends with the former rivals, including Broderick Crawford doing a sudden and unbelievable about-face, off to fight Mexico. Presumably they are riding over the corpses that littered the streets during the battle.Gable, Gardner, and Crawford do what they can with this mess. At least we get to see some fine actors---Moroni Olsen, Beaulah Bondi, Russell Simpson, William Conrad, William Farnum--in supporting roles.

Starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Broderick Crawford, "Lone Star" is a rousing story of political intrigue based on the historical battle for The Republic of Texas. One side wanted annexation by the United States. The other wished to maintain the republic and set treaties with Mexico and other countries.The battle for the minds of Texans is an interesting one, involving many factions, including the native Americans of the territory. The year is 1845 and Andrew Jackson, who still wields tremendous influence from Nashville, advocates annexation. Andrew Johnson is against it. Sam Houston--a local hero--is a significant unknown entity who may sway the Texas government and Texas hearts. Gable plays Dev Burke, a Texas cattleman who agrees to represent Jackson's interests. Broderick Crawford plays Tom Craden, a significant influence around Austin, who has big plans for the republic. Ava Gardner plays Martha Ronda, editor of the Austin newspaper and "the woman" of Craden. Or is she?This historical drama contains a steamy love story that also involves principles. And like most westerns, the bullets and fists fly. I enjoyed this film, mostly due to its strongly drawn characters.

The MGM production gloss is in full swing here and Clark and Brod are the manly men doing' their thing. Ava's the love interest and she's less cocky and obnoxious than usual; Lionel Barrymore chews the scenery as Andy Jackson in his own inimitable way. The close in battle with the Indians that Gable and Crawford have near the beginning is INTENSE. WOW. The chase along the river and the final battle and duke-out between you know who is all pretty slam-bang as well. O.K. this is not history (that I've ever heard of) but it's great frontier stuff that any red-blooded guy should find entertaining. And like the other reviewer said- that sure is some map of Texas Brod keeps at home! It's comical and awe inspiring at the same time.

Greatly enjoyed this film which is not a documentary film on the history of Texas, but a very enjoyable film with great actors like Clark Gable. Clark Gable plays (Devereaux Burke),"Mogambo",'53, who wants Texas to become part of the Union and met with Lionel Barrymore,(Andrew Jackson),"Key Largo",'48, in Washington, and decided to find a very powerful Texan, named Thomas Craden,(Broderick Crawford),"Hightway Patrol",'55 TV Series, who was against Texas from joining the Union and wanted it to remain a LONE STAR STATE. Ava Gardner, (Martha Ronda),"The Snows of Kilimanjaro,",52, who was a very strong willed woman who ran a newspaper and was also a so called girl friend of Thomas Craden which caused great problems between Burke. This is a Hollywood story that is meant to entertain and the veteran actors in this film have created this film into a great black and white Classic.