THE JAYHAWKERS
US, 1959, 100 minutes, Colour.
Jeff Chandler, Fess Parker, Nicole Maurey, Henry Silva.
Directed by Melvyn Frank.
The Jayhawkers is an unusual project for the writing and directing team of Norman Panama and Melvyn Frank. Their career was mainly as writers and directors of light comedies. They achieved some immortality with the two Danny Kaye vehicles, Knock on Wood and The Court Jester. Here they try their hand at a western – with quite some success.
The film was one of Jeff Chandler’s last films before his untimely death. He portrays a very strong man with Napoleonic ideals and a lust for power in Kansas prior to the outbreak of the civil war. He clashes with the upright man played by Fess Parker – who had appeared in the mid-50s with great success as Davy Crockett and appeared in The Great Locomotive Robbery. Nicole Maurey had appeared with Bing Crosby in Little Boy Lost and is an unusual French presence in the American west. Henry Silva, generally sinister in his screen appearances, was at the beginning of a long career.
The film is of interest in its re-creation of the state of Kansas prior to the civil war, the issues between north and south, power struggles – and the heritage that was to be changed because of the war.
1. The quality of this western, use of conventions?
2. Contribution of colour, locations photography, sense of authenticity?
3. How the audience enter the action via Bleeker and his escape from prison his return home, his attitudes, illness? Immediate response to him and the change?
4. The background of the human drama for the more political drama? Bleeker and his encountering of Jeanne? Her European background, experience of revolutions, her husband's death, her bringing up her children, work, her need for help? Her saving Bleeker, How did this provide a humane background for the political issues?
5. The picture of pre-Civil War Kansas? The towns, the emerging state, the raids from the South, the need for protection, power hungry men, the excuses of law and order for raids? Clashes of North and South? The morality of the raids and the men involved in them?
6. Bleeker and his response to his arrest? The temptation of a deal with the Governor? His memory of his wife? Darcy as the villain? His motivations? His criticism of the methods of the Governor?
7. How central was the character of Darcy? Jeff Chandler’s presence and style? His role in Kansas and his power hunger? His goals and his methods? Admiration for Napoleon and modelling himself on him? His oratory, his control of people, the appearance of a gentleman, masking his ruthlessness? His rules and administration of them? His power of life and death? As illustrated in his dealing with his men? The situation in the States and pre-civil War period giving rise to this kind of fascist leader?
8. How well did the film show the interaction of Darcy and Bleeker? The changing motivation, the mutual admiration, the speeches about friendship? Their belief in one another? Bleeker being affected by Darcy’s administration, his successes? Why did he change his attitudes? The influence of Jeanne?
9. The visualizing of the raids? Darcy’s point of view, Bleeker’s point of view, the townspeople's point of view for protection? Darcy’s administration and rule? His control over people? The build-up to the raid in which Michelle was hurt? The reaction on Bleeker and his rescuing Michelle? The change of heart, the reasons for this?
10. How well was the trap set for Darcy? The suspense at the end of the film? The visit of Jeanne to the Governor? Lorden and his seeing of Joanne? The vigil with Darcy present in the house, his kindness to the children? The film's communication of the ambiguity of attitudes in Bleeker and Jeanne?
11. The melodramatics of the final confrontation? The effect on Darcy of the betrayal? Lorden and his vindication, especially in the light of his previous behaviour and his attitudes towards Bleeker and the plot to get him hanged? The final fight? Did Darcy know that would die? The physical fight and its repercussions? The shooting? Bleeker's attitude towards Darcy in death?
12. The importance of the death scene, the emphasis on dignity? The petition to the Governor and his acquiescence?
13. How well were the issues of human nature and behaviour illustrated in a western in a Nineteenth Century American setting?
