Stagecoach ('39)
In 1937 John Ford optioned rights to Ernest Haycox’ short story The Stage to Lordsburg. Ford saw the potential for a powerful film with the perfect actor to lead it, a virtually unknown B western actor, John Wayne. Ford shopped the project; but couldn’t sell it with Wayne in the lead. Ford wouldn’t have it any other way. Persistence paid off with a shoe-string budget from a small production company.
The story throws a troupe of travelers together on a stage bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico Territory. Each of them brings their own story and in some cases secrets to the journey. Wayne plays The Ringo Kid, an escaped convict bent on avenging his father’s and brother’s murders, who finds himself in the custody of his friend, Marshal Curly Wilcox. Wayne plays opposite romantic lead Claire Trevor as Dallas, a prostitute. Others in the cast include a whiskey salesman posing as a preacher, a gambler, a banker wanted for embezzlement, an expectant mother, an alcoholic doctor and of course a stage driver, played by Andy Devine. Add a little Apache warpath to the mix and you’ve got the makin’s of a story.
Along the way, a promised cavalry escort misses the stage. The travelers vote to continue on their way. The pregnant army wife goes into labor with the sobered-up Doc delivering her bundle of joy, assisted by the prostitute. Ringo and Dallas fall in love. Ringo proposes. Eventually Dallas accepts, agreeing to meet him at a ranch he owns in Mexico. Ringo escapes, only to return at the sight of smoke sign signaling Apache attack. The Apache attack, a harrowing chase ensues racing to dark climax, saved by the cavalry. Arriving in Lordsburg, Ringo shoots it out with his father and brother’s killers. Marshal Wilcox looks the other way as Ringo and Dallas escape into Mexico.
Stagecoach (’39) is listed in the Library of Congress, National Film Registry for its cultural and historic importance. Cultural significance notwithstanding, the film comes in for criticism for its portrayal of Native Americans. These days we can find an ‘ism’ for everything.
Next Week: Stagecoach (’66)
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Ride easy,
Paul
The story throws a troupe of travelers together on a stage bound for Lordsburg, New Mexico Territory. Each of them brings their own story and in some cases secrets to the journey. Wayne plays The Ringo Kid, an escaped convict bent on avenging his father’s and brother’s murders, who finds himself in the custody of his friend, Marshal Curly Wilcox. Wayne plays opposite romantic lead Claire Trevor as Dallas, a prostitute. Others in the cast include a whiskey salesman posing as a preacher, a gambler, a banker wanted for embezzlement, an expectant mother, an alcoholic doctor and of course a stage driver, played by Andy Devine. Add a little Apache warpath to the mix and you’ve got the makin’s of a story.
Along the way, a promised cavalry escort misses the stage. The travelers vote to continue on their way. The pregnant army wife goes into labor with the sobered-up Doc delivering her bundle of joy, assisted by the prostitute. Ringo and Dallas fall in love. Ringo proposes. Eventually Dallas accepts, agreeing to meet him at a ranch he owns in Mexico. Ringo escapes, only to return at the sight of smoke sign signaling Apache attack. The Apache attack, a harrowing chase ensues racing to dark climax, saved by the cavalry. Arriving in Lordsburg, Ringo shoots it out with his father and brother’s killers. Marshal Wilcox looks the other way as Ringo and Dallas escape into Mexico.
Stagecoach (’39) is listed in the Library of Congress, National Film Registry for its cultural and historic importance. Cultural significance notwithstanding, the film comes in for criticism for its portrayal of Native Americans. These days we can find an ‘ism’ for everything.
Next Week: Stagecoach (’66)
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
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