SANTA FE

US, 1951, 87 minutes, Colour.
Randolph Scott, Janis Carter, Jerome Courtland, Warner Anderson.
Directed by Irving Pichel.

Santa Fe is one of the over forty westerns that Randolph Scott made between 1946 and 1962 (only one film not specifically a western in that period). It is standard fare, focusing on the building of the Acheson, Topeka, Santa Fe railway line. It is set in the aftermath of the civil war, Randolph Scott portraying Britt Canfield who had three brothers. He wants to forget the war, works on the railroad. The other brothers cannot forget or forgive, team up with a rival casino operator, turn into outlaws and try to hinder the building of the railroad. Ultimately, Scott has to take a stand against his brothers.

The film is action-packed, focusing on the building of the railroad, the burning of the casino, the robberies of the trains, the final fights. Scott was at home in this kind of role. The leading lady is Janis Carter playing the widow of a man killed in the civil war during an action led by Scott.

The direction is by Irving Pichel, an actor who made quite a number of standard films during the 40s but died in 1954, his last three films being Santa Fe and the religious films, Martin Luther and the film of the Gospels, Day of Triumph.

1.The popularity of Randolph Scott westerns? In their time? Now?

2.The straightforward storytelling, location photography, action? Musical score?

3.The background of the civil war, the antagonism between soldiers from each side? Collaboration and work after the war? The building of the Acheson, Topeka, Santa Fe railway? The background of the Indians – and their allowing the Indian to drive the engine?

4.The Canfield family, Britt and his stand, success in the war? Wanting to do better, work on the railways? The three brothers, their bitterness? Their going off, working together for Cole Sanders at the casino? Their robbing the trains? Becoming outlaws? Their personalities, the encounters with Britt, challenging him? Britt and his trying to support them, change them? Clint and his injuries and death? Terry and his marriage, the young man and Britt wanting to change him? His marrying? The wife and her giving the information to save her husband, Sanders killing him? Tom and his shooting of Sanders?

5.Britt and the railroad work, the genial atmosphere, the rapidity of the work? Moving towards Colorado? The opening of the various links? Dave Baxter, the background of the civil war, their friendship? Managing the railway? Judith Chandler, her doing the secretarial work? The memories of her husband killed in the war? Her bitterness, change of attitude towards Britt? Falling in love with him? Understanding forgiveness and tolerance?

6.The raids, the ambushes of the train? The shoot-outs? The two railroad engineers, the comic touches, dialogue, playing cards…?

7.The race to the pass to Colorado? The two rivals? The tactics, the building? The playing of the music over the night, keeping people occupied?

8.Judith and the information about Britt? Dave Baxter and his hostile reaction? Bat Masterson and his role in Dodge City? Tracing Canfield, confrontation, their all going to confront the brothers? The fight with Cole Sanders and his defeat?

9.The success of the railway, the opening up of the west? The presentation of the post-civil war period?