FORT WORTH
US, 1951, 80 minutes, Colour.
Randolph Scott, David Brian, Phyllis Thaxter, Helena Carter, Ray Teal.
Directed by Edwin L. Marin.
Fort Worth is one of the many westerns that Randolph Scott made during the 1950s. In fact, of the forty-three films he made between 1946 and his last film in 1962, only two of them, one in 1946 and one in 1947, were not westerns. This was the last film directed by Edwin L. Marin (who directed Scott in Christmas Eve in 1947 and then followed with six westerns including Colt 45, Fighting Man of the Plains, Sugarfoot).
David Brian is once again the villain, a routine role for him at this particular period, often playing against Joan Crawford (The Damned Don’t Cry). Phyllis Thaxter is a rather sweeter heroine than usual. Helena Carter has a guest role as a tough woman.
The film is different insofar as it shows Texas after the civil war and the introduction of the railway. David Brian plays an ambitious man who buys up all the land, wants to control the railway and the cattle, wants to be governor of Texas. Randolph Scott portrays a former gunman who has become a newspaper editor, relying on the power of the pen rather than that of the sword.
The film is a variation on the cattle western, law and order in a town – with the touch of difference in the newspaper theme.
1.A Randolph Scott western? His many westerns in the 40s to the 60s? A western hero?
2.Fort Worth, the beginnings of the town, the railroad, Texas?
3.The colour photography, the western vistas? The town? The cattle runs and stampede? Musical score?
4.The character of Ned Britt: a western hero, his past and the guns, his love for Flora, her father and his admiration? His previous friendship with Lunsford? His role in the cattle drive, accompanying the people moving west? His printing his papers, in Kansas and other states? His condemnation of corruption? His role in the town, Ben Garvan as his partner, putting up the money? His help, especially Luke?
5.The role of the newspaper, the influence in the town, Lunsford and his attitude? The attitude of Gabe Clevenger? Hostility, attempts on Ned Britt’s life?
6.Flora, accompanying the cattle drive? Her admiration for Ned? The stampede, the death of the boy? Her wanting gun revenge? Disappointed in Ned? Her relationship with Lunsford, intending to marry him? Amy’s visit to the meal and the exposure of Lunsford? Her mixed feelings towards Ned, still believing Lunsford? The final confrontation?
7.Amy, the past, with Lunsford, the money, getting rid of her, to New Orleans, her coming back to expose him?
8.Lunsford, his ambitions, buying up the land, inviting the railroad in, in league with Clevenger, the shootouts? His support of the local law and order group, the Panthers? The name from the editorial about the panther in the street? His double-dealings, trying to persuade the railway executives? Clevenger and the holdup of the train? The shootouts, his being on the train with Ned, the fire, his escape, trying to persuade Flora to be on his side? His ambitions – and Ned not denying them in his headline at the end?
9.Gabe Clevenger, his gang, the assassins, the cattle, the hostility towards Ned Britt? The reaction to the newspapers? Assassins, shootouts?
10.The resolution, Clevenger and his killing of Lunsford? Flora blaming herself for Lunsford’s death? Fort Worth and law and order, the newspaper – and marriage and a child?
