Jimmy Stewart plays a man with a shady past who reluctantly helps two English ladies transport their lovely hornless bull to a randy cattle baron (Brian Keith, who steals every scene).
The first half of the movie involves Stewart and Jack Elam fighting over who will deliver the fancy bull and get the delivery $$$$. Elam is great as he and Stewart have multiple fistfights, in a bar, across the plains, etc. Upon arrival to Brian Keith's cattle ranch the tone changes from western adventure to love triangle/chamber drama. Everyone finds the English bull to be a joke, including Stewart. But along the way he begins to believe in the bull and the strong willed English ladies. Brian Keith transforms from a filthy drunken hermit to a cleaned-up proper Scottish baron in the hopes of winning over Maureen O'Hara. But Stewart's faith in the women that the bull will survive the winter long enough to breed transforms him from a thief into a man with real purpose.
Lighter in tone than the Mann/Stewart pairings, mostly becoming a love story by the end. I enjoyed the contrast of the English ladies in the old west and their common sense that is thrust upon everyone they encounter. A sweet tale of love an inspiration for all you hardened cowpokes. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
I don't think I'm in a hurry to watch this one again, but I could see recommending it to somebody looking for an amiable kilts & cowobys story. Wikipedia says it's based on a rancher named William Burgess; wonder who he was?
ReplyDeleteThe script's by Ric Hardman, who also wrote under the great pen-name Bronson Howitzer. There's an unimpressed obituary at The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/6056794/Ric-Hardman.html
I'm digging these! It's handy having your rec's all in one spot, and easily browseable. Thanks.
It's kinda western-lite, innit?
ReplyDeleteIt replayed well for me around christmas time, but I still can't shake the Disney vibe I get from it. But I imagine most kids would probably be bored once the action stops and they get to the ranch. 'Amiable' is a good word.
Ric Hardman and Bronson Howitzer are awesomely manly names.