DVD Review: Western Classics from Paramount released by Kino Lorber

Kino Lorber has released an excellent three-disc blu ray set called Western Classics I, the first in a proposed series. This one features three Paramount releases, two in Technicolor, that effectively represent some of the better post-war western releases. Each of the films is a strong effort in and of itself.

THE VIRGINIAN (1946)

This is the third filming of Owen Wister's story (the first was in 1914 with Dustin Farnum, followed by an early talkie in 1929 featuring Gary Cooper). This lavish Technicolor production features Joel McCrea and makes great use of the location scenery with bright cinematography. It also gathers a number of the western clichés, including the line "when you call me that, smile!" And among the poker games, cattle drives, fist-fights, and shootouts, there are alternate sub-plots regarding the necessity of hanging a pal who goes wrong, outlaws who stare and bristle, and the distraction of a pretty schoolteacher. These elements are all positives in the context of this old story, as director Stuart Gilmore rigidly follows the basic western structure with equal dollops of humor and tension that blend rather than clash. Along with McCrea, welcome veterans like Barbara Britton, Brian Donlevy, Sonny Tufts, Fay Bainter, and Marc Lawrence fill in the other roles with experienced portrayals. The commentary by the always interesting Lee Gambin and Rutanya Alda is included in Kino Lorber's blu ray as a special features.

WHISPERING SMITH (1948)

Shot and copyrighted in 1947, not released until 1949, "Whispering Smith" is always listed as a 1948 film. In any case, it is immediately significant as Alan Ladd's first western as he would do some of his best work in the genre, including the classic "Shane." It was also his first movie in color. Ladd has the title role, a railroad agent investigating a murder. There is a sub-plot regarding an old friend who is foreman of the railroad's wrecking crew, and his wife who was once connected to Smith. Robert Preston chews the scenery with gusto as the wrecker, and Brenda Marshall, returning to movies after a four year absence, as the wife. Alan Ladd anchors the proceedings with his character's taut, quiet manner (hence the nickname). The film is immediately compelling and consistently exciting with a supporting cast that includes William Demarest, Frank Faylen, and an interestingly cast Donald Crisp, who usually plays genial types, but this time is an effective villain. Paramount spent 70,000 bucks to create a western town on five acres of their backlot, including railroad track. This set would be used for TV westerns through the 1960s. Kino Lorber's blu ray includes a commentary track by Simon Abrams that is informative and enlightening.

WHEN THE DALTONS RODE

Probably the best film in the set is this George Marshall-directed western that boasts a cast headed by Randolph Scott and including Brian Donlevy, Broderick Crawford, Stuart Erwin, George Bancroft, Andy Devine, Frank Albertson and Kay Francis. Scott is Tod Jackson the good guy lawyer who shows up in his old hometown and reconnects with childhood friends the Daltons, who are in danger of losing their land to crooks. They end up turning outlaw as a reaction, and are quite successful, leaving Jackson conflicted as to his adherence to the law and affection for his old friends. A romantic conflict between Kay Francis, Randolph Scott, and Broderick Crawford is sometimes distracting but not enough to disrupt the movie's rhythm. The Kino Lorber blu ray offers an excellent commentary by western movie expert Toby Roan.

The complete blu ray set is available here: Western Classics I