Great western in technicolor - starring Errol Flynn
DVD Collector, movie connoisseur, Fan of Superb Productions, admirer of great storytelling
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APR
11
2008
People that can remember what Technicolor looks like will enjoy the classic western that was the first made using that process.
Warner Bros chose their star attractions Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHavilland to populate the leading roles with the typical fine supporting cast from their stable of stars, inlcuding Bruce Cabot, Alan Hale, and Victor Jory.
Flynn and DeHavilland, had just appeared in the smash hit The Adventures of Robin Hood and they were the hottest thing in Hollywood at the time.
Warner Bros chose Hungarian-born director Michael Curtiz to work his magic even though Flynn detested the man, according to his memoirs. Flynn and DeHavilland would have a host of memorable pairings as one of the screens most endearing couples.
Dodge City has the finest inputs available in terms of talent, cinematography, and direction - all except for the screenplay which is only average. Despite this, Curtiz is able to keep the actions sequences coming without letting the pace lag. Warner Bros maestro Max Steiner scored the movie with snatches from popular folk songs as many films have been.
The movie shows the construction of the railroad and how it changed the face of the west with its iron horse. With the coming of the iron rails, towns sprung up where there once was only prairie. One of these was Dodge City, named after Colonel Dodge, a railroad official.
Dodge persuades Flynn to keep the peace in Dodge City and Flynn plays the typical white hat sheriff with stalwart aplomb. Flynn romances leading lady Olivia DeHavilland in between his policing up Dodge. One of the high points of the movie is where the former yankees and confederates try to drown each other out singing their old songs, finally erupting in the biggest saloon brawl ever filmed. Sidekick Alan Hale is also shown getting buttonholed by a Ladies Christian Temperance Group and being convinced to go straight, to much amusement by the viewer.
The DVD package is very well conceived, mimicking a night at the movies in 1939. There is an introduction by Leonard Maltin, a cartoon, a film short starring Claude Rains, film trailers and of course, the main feature, presented in Technicolor, in full frame theatrical format, lasting 104 minutes.
Last edited on Apr 11, 2008
Dodge City is recommended by GeorgeChabot
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