WYOMING
US, 1940, 88 minutes, Black and white.
Wallace Beery, Leo Carrillo, Ann Rutherford, Lee Bowman, Joseph Calleia, Bobs Watson, Paul Kelly, Henry Travers, Marjorie Main.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.
Wyoming has a lot going for it as an entertaining film from 1940. It has the atmosphere of a western, the post-civil war period, the opening up of Wyoming for cattle.
Wallace Beery does his usual style of genial and bad – Reb Harkness, not above robberies with his friend Pete Marrillo (Leo Carrillo). When they do have a successful robbery, Pete makes a bet with Reb and goes off on his own to spend the money. In the meantime, Reb encounters a rancher and accompanies him to Wyoming to escape the law. He then robs the rancher but returns, unable, however, to save him from a gang of cattle thieves. This means he feels an obligation to the rancher’s family. This includes his daughter Lucy (Ann Rutherford) and his young son Jimmy (Bobs Watson). There is a villain in the town, John Buckley (Joseph Calleia) who wants to take over all the plains of Wyoming and is involved in cattle-stealing with a number of thugs. However, they are confronted by Reb and he becomes a target. However, he provides a great deal for the family, especially with the young lad and they form a strong friendship. This is the kind of thing that Beery was to do with Margaret O’Brien? in Bad Bascomb and had done with Freddie Bartholomew in Treasure Island.
In the supporting cast there is Paul Kelly as General Custer, on the side of good in this film, also on the side of justice. Henry Travers, however, is a corrupt sheriff. Lee Bowman is the romantic lead as an army lieutenant to Custer. There is a very good role for Marjorie Main, doing her usual thing which would lead to her portrayal of Ma Kettle. She is both tough as well as flirtatious with Beery and they make a humorous couple. The film was directed by Richard Thorpe, veteran at MGM Studios during the 30s, 40s and 50s.
1. An entertaining film? Post-civil war western?
2. The black and white photography, the sense of location for Wyoming in the Midwest states? The musical score?
3. Wallace Beery, his screen presence, gnarled and tough, the touch of softness, the touch of humour? As Reb Harkness? His career in crime, his robberies, working with Pete, dominating him, smart-talking him? The robbery, the bet about the money, Pete going off by himself? Reb hiding from the law? The encounter with Dave, travelling together, communicating, then robbing him of his horse, gun? Feeling bad, returning? The friendship with Dave, their being set upon by the thugs, Dave’s death? Reb and his conscience, going to the Kincaid ranch, the encounter with Lucy, with Jimmy? Jimmy relying on him, the father figure? The funeral? His staying around? Under false pretences, yet doing a lot of good for the family? For the ranch? The encounter with General Custer, with Lieutenant Connelly? His going into town, Buckley’s thugs, his being very quick on the draw, the deaths? In town, confronting the sheriff? Finding Mehitabel? His admiration for her, her tough reactions? His finally standing up to Buckley, Buckley’s death? Custer and his decisions? Justice? Getting Harkness to come out from the haystack? The happy ending – especially with Mehitabel?
4. Marjorie Main as Mehitabel, tough in the town, the blacksmith, her brother? Treatment of her brother? Her standing up to Buckley? The interest in Reb, the attraction, cooking the meal, happy ever after?
5. Pete, his return, interaction with Reb, being on his side, sharing in the final confrontation? The Mexican humour?
6. Lucy, the heroine, strong-minded? The encounter with Lieutenant Connelly, spurning him, his return? Flirting? His loyalty to Custer, renouncing his commission, wanting to settle down with Lucy?
7. Jimmy, his place on the ranch, his mourning his father, his sense of daring, with Reb, the good friendship, the father figure?
8. Custer, his reputation, training, in the west – before Little Big Horn? His sense of justice and fair play at the end?
9. Buckley, wealth, with his henchmen in the town, owning the town, stealing the cattle, his lies, the discussions with Custer? His hold on the sheriff?
10. The popular ingredients for an entertaining western?
