THE MAVERICK QUEEN
US, 1956, 90 minutes, Colour.
Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Scott Brady, Mary Murphy, Wallace Ford.
Directed by Joseph Kane.
The Maverick Queen is one of many standard westerns made by Republic over the 1940s and 50s. It has a strong part for Barbara Stanwyck who is matched by Barry Sullivan and a strong supporting cast. It takes up echoes of the James and Younger brothers' outlaw days, with a touch of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Director is Joseph Kane, regular director of so many of Republic's action films. The original novel was by Zane Grey. musical score by Victor Young. Efficiently made but standard fare.
1. Entertaining and competent western? The conventions of the West, the range, farms, outlaws, the law and justice? Showdowns?
2. The use of conventions and audience expectations of these? Barbara Stanwyck as heroine villain? The deception of the law? The confrontation with outlaws? The life of the western town etc.? Standard or different?
3. Colour photography, locations? The town, the cattle runs? The outlaws' hideouts? Confrontations and special effects? Victor Young's score?
4. The basic plot and audiences enjoying it? Kit Banyan and her power in the West? Jeff Younger and the outlaw connection, working with Kit, undercover agent? Lucy Lee and her ranch? The background of outlaws with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?
5. The title and its focus on Barbara Stanwyck? Her screen presence? The strong American woman of the West? Upholding the law, around and against the law? Her power, ruthlessness? The way this was illustrated? Her owning most of the town, her employing people? Doing business with the outlaw gangs? Her falling in love with Jeff? Her clash with Lucy Lee? The discovery of the truth? Her dilemma? Her warning Jeff ? and her death? The typical character of the West?
6. Jeff Younger and his reputation, riding into town, the stranger who changes the town? Offer of job by Lucy Lee? Friendship with Jamie? Deals with Kit? Infiltrating the gang? His identity ? his being taken, Kit's giving her life for him? His future with Lucy Lee? The role of the Pinkerton agency and detection of outlaws?
7. Lucy Lee as the contrast with Kit? ownership, cattle? a potential Kit? on the right side of the law? Attraction towards Jeff? Clashes? Reliance on Jamie?
8. Jamie - the sentimental and humorous touch? Loyalty in the West?
9. The sketch of well known outlaws, especially Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (and later mythology)? The outlaws of the West, motives, action, violence? Robberies, double deals, hideouts, showdowns?
10. Themes of the opening of the West, ownership? Individual ruthlessness and possessiveness? The clash of power and love? Law and justice and its administration? The detection of outlaws? The tradition of the West - the American heritage?
