KIT CARSON

US, 1940, 97 minutes, Black and white.
Jon Hall, Lynn Bari, Dana Andrews, Ward Bond.
Directed by George B. Seitz.

Kit Carson is a typical western of the early '40s. While always interesting, and well-made, it is nevertheless standard in its presentation of the West, its characters, the pioneering and opening up of California and the encounters with the Indians.

Jon Hall is pleasantly routine as Kit Carson. Lynn Bari is a strong heroine. Dana Andrews, at the beginning of his career, shows his potential as General John Fremont. There is a strong supporting cast. The black and white photography and location work is quite striking.

1. An entertaining western of the '40s? Homage to Kit Carson and the -pioneers of California?

2. Black and white photography, location work? The songs and the rousing musical score?

3. The focus on such western heroes as Kit Carson? The reality, the history, the myths? The folklore about the opening up of the West? John Fremont and his military background, his establishing of California?

4. The heroics of the American West? The scouts, the wagon train leaders, the military? The ordinary men who worked on the wagon trains, as scouts? Tough, with ingenuity, knowledge of the terrain?

5. The women who pioneered the West? The strong heroines? The older women with their sense of humour and toughness? How well illustrated in this film?

6. The confrontations with the Indians? The battles? Attitude towards the Indians? Friendship, betrayal?

7. The role of the military, the letter of the law, the sense of responsibility? The reliance on scouts?. The clashes with the letter of the law and the intuitions of the scouts? The bending of the military to reality?

8. Standard western fare - American history and pioneering? The perennial popularity of the western?