Blu Ray review: Second 3-film set of Western Classics from Kino Lorber

Some of the most exciting and anticipated blu ray releases from Kino Lorber are its classic westerns from Paramount and Universal studios. For their second three-film set, Western Classics II, Kino’s classics division offers another trio of colorful and exciting westerns from the 1950s. Each of the films in this set will be reviewed separately.

THE REDHEAD FROM WYOMING (1953)

Maureen O’Hara was under contract with Universal studios when she was cast in a film version of Polly Bishop’s story Cattle Kate. Her co-star was going to be Hugh O’Brien, but he went into another project and was replaced by Alex Nicol. When filming began in May of 1953, its title was changed to The Redhead From Wyoming. The cast is rounded out by veterans like William Bishop and Robert Strauss. O’Hara is a cattle woman who gets mixed up with crooked cattlemen through her fiancée, played by William Bishop. Alex Nicol is the sheriff, The story is compelling, and the movie is filled with action, from fistfights to cattle stampedes. Perhaps most interestingly, The Redhead From Wyoming was directed by Lee “Roll ‘Em” Sholem, whose prolific, record-holding career in movies and TV including more than 1300 projects over 40 years, none of which went over budget. Typically exceptional commentary by Samm Deighan is a special feature.

PILLARS OF THE SKY (1956)

A fine cast headed by Jeff Chandler, Dorothy Malone, Ward Bond, and Michael Ansara, veteran director George Marshall, and location shooting in Oregon all add up to a striking and powerful western drama about the cowboy-and-Indian conflict. Chandler is a rugged cavalry man who has gained the trust of several Indian tribes. However, when he and his Indian scouts ride into a mission headed by a Colonel whose troop movements have angered the tribes, tension and conflict disrupt his attempts to reach federal territory. There are some interesting statements made within the context of the narrative about the conflict between white settlers and Native Americans. Absorbing and exciting. Excellent commentary track by western movie expert Toby Roan.

GUN FOR A COWARD (1957)

A film of nuance and conflict as well as color and action, Jeffrey Hunter starts as the pampered youngest son whose mother babies after the death of her husband. He is protected by his brothers, especially the oldest and toughest (played by Fred MacMurray). Eventually the oldest and youngest brothers have a conflict with a lady who they both love. There are a lot of layers to the narrative, and to each character, but the film never seems convoluted. Direction is by Abner Biberman, who is notable for his early work as an actor, often playing a slimy villain in Warner Brothers gangster pictures of the 1930s with the likes of James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. The commentary track by Lee Gambin is brilliant as usual.

Each of these three westerns represent solid releases in the genre from Universal studios. Sharp visuals and striking color cinematography enhances each of them. The set can be purchased here: Western 2