THE FIGHTING KENTUCKIAN
US, 1949, 100 minutes, Black and white.
John Wayne, Vera Ralston, Oliver Hardy, Marie Windsor, Grant Withers, Paul Fix, Philip Dorn.
Directed by George Waggner.
The Fighting Kentuckian is John Wayne in one of the many westerns he made during the 40s, especially at Republic Studios. His leading lady is Vera Hruba Ralston, wife of the manager of Republic Studios, Herbert Yates. There is action, there is romance - and a touch of comedy with Oliver Hardy in an unusual appearance as Wayne's buddy.
The setting is Louisiana at the beginning of the 19th century, the aftermath of French settlement and the wars with Britain. The French are trying to settle, locals are trying to exploit them with false land deals. John Wayne to the rescue. There is a colourful cast, plenty of action and intrigue, and, of course, some John Wayne action.
1. An entertaining western? The style of the 40s? John Wayne and his popularity at the time - and subsequently?
2. Black and white photography, the atmosphere of the 19th century, Louisiana? Musical score?
3. The title, the focus on the states, the emerging states at the beginning of the 19th century? The French settlers, the clash with the British, the Americans and the double deals on the frontier? The establishing of Louisiana society?
4. John Wayne as John Breen, his screen presence? With the Kentuckians, fighting for Louisiana? His friendship with Willie Payne? The encounter with Fleurette? The friendships with the French? The dismantling of the corp, the troops moving out? His pursuit of Fleurette, being chased by Willie Payne? The chance encounter later? Involvement with the French? With the general and Fleurette's mother? With the Colonel? The double dealings, Randolph and Hayden? The encounter with Annie Logan and her covering for him, being employed as a surveyor, his not knowing anything about surveying? Courting of Fleurette, her arranged marriage, Discovery of the double deals, betrayal by Annie Logan, suspicions of Randolph and Hayden? The swindle, the deaths? The build-up to the confrontation of the battle? Breen and his support of the French? The accusations, taking sides, being captured, the open door, Randolph's death? The escape and the final battle? The happy ending?
5. Willie Payne and Oliver Hardy's comic presence, chasing Breen at the beginning, marching off together, sharing in the escapades, the comic touch, the adventures, fighting, the battles?
6. Fleurette and her family, the French, trying to establish their position, memories of the Battle of Waterloo? The refuge in the United States? Randolph and Hayden and their courting the French, swindling them? The surveyor's job, the betrayals, disbelief? The build-up to the battles? Fleurette, attracted towards Breen, his gate crashing the party and playing the violin? The arrangement for the marriage to Randolph? The truth about Randolph? The happy ending?
7. Randolph, the gentleman, his deals, warning off Breen? The gate-crashing the party? The deals with Hayden? The false maps and readings? Making money? Hayden and his dominance, using Annie Logan and Beau? Revelation of the truth, Randolph's death? Some heroism in his dying? Hayden and his schemes, finally falling fowl of Breen and the French? Beau and his alliance with Annie Logan, her story, discovery of the
truth, his death?
8. The French, their background, settling in the new world, being tricked by the locals? Their codes of honour, setting the battle lines? The battle and the victory?
9. A popular western? Piece of Americana?
