RIO BRAVO-1959
I can’t do a film series without mentioning John Wayne who stars in this fun western as a Sheriff who comes to town to make sure a nasty villain gets his due justice. He has to deal with his old friend (Dean Martin) as the drunken deputy sheriff, an old coot with no teeth, a limp and a lot of gumption (Walter Brennan), a young kid who wants to help (Ricky Nelson) and a saloon gal with nice legs but talks way too much (Angie Dickinson). If you like a western, or even don’t but like fun camaraderie, you’ll love this movie.
This was John Wayne’s and Howard Hawks’s (director) answer to High Noon because they thought it was stupid that a sheriff would ask for help so in this film, the hero doesn’t ask but gets help anyway. Oh and as a prank and an initiation, Wayne and Brennan got a pile of manure and threw Ricky Nelson into it. I love the musical interlude and hope you'll have a listen...
I do not like John Wayne, but Ricky Nelson? I saw this movie several times when I was young.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteYep, Rio Bravo is another film that I saw in the theater when I was a kid, age nine to be exact. As I am sure you recall, Westerns were extremely popular in the 50s, both on the big screen and the small. Rio Bravo boasts an all star cast that includes some of my favorites like Walter Brennan, whom I watched a few years later on television as Grand-pappy Amos McCoy, plus crooner Dean Martin and teenage rock 'n' roll idol Ricky Nelson.
Thanks for mentioning High Noon along with Rio Bravo. Volumes have been written about the key difference in the way the two stories were handled and how they exemplify the deep division that existed in America at the time and still exists today.
Thank you very much, dear friend BB, and thank you for leaving such a kind and caring comment on my blog in memory of Margaret.
Kathleen has written a response to it. We are grateful!
Sounds like good fun! I enjoy old Westerns, but I’ve missed this one. Mind you, it sounds like it has a lot for Western tropes and recognisable characters!
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I've never seen this, probably because I'm not a big western fan. But I really LOVED your synopsis and the aside you shared about Ricky Nelson. And at least I've heard of this one, unlike many of your Thursday posts (grin). I'm loving this A2Z series.
ReplyDeleteBirgit,
ReplyDelete'Rio Bravo' is a great old western. I loved John Wayne films. Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson were fabulous singers - so silky smooth. This clip brings back some fond memories. Thanks for sharing, my friend.
~Curious as a Cathy
A2Z iPad Art Sketch 'R' for Rocks
I don't think I've ever watched this from beginning to end. It's one of those films that shows up on TCM regularly. Maybe one of these days I'll start at the beginning and watch the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I've never seen that one
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this one.
ReplyDeleteI always loved John Wayne and Angie Dickinson. The old movies are nicer than most of the new ones! Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteHi Birgit - I certainly haven't seen this ... but sounds fun - and entertaining for a cold night in ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWow, Dean Martin sure looks young in that photo. No, wait, that's Ricky Nelson. I always get one singer confused with another. Anyway, I'm not even sure if I've ever seen this one, but if I have, it was at least forty years ago and I don't remember it.
ReplyDeleteI do like a John Wayne film, but I have to say, I much prefer High Noon to Rio Bravo. High Noon is a classic!
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Enjoyed this one indeed. There aren't many films these days where they can do a musical interlude and get away with it, and make it work.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this one, but I think I should. One of these days...
ReplyDeleteListening to Dean and Ricky together, oooh, what a thrill. Thanks for that. I also liked the goofy grins on John and Walter.
ReplyDeleteI vote for I haven't seen it. I've seen a few scenes. Don't know what movie it was from but John Wayne pulled out his pistol and shot someone for no good reason. That's what made it funny - there was no good reason for it like the Three Stooges. Really funny, like "I have no patience for this" Bang! I heard that Reagan who loves films awarded Wayne a warrior media even though he never went to war. We all knew Reagan only did films for WWII for much more value... The longstanding myth was he gave John Wayne a medal for war. It turns out, not only is it not true ("a lie travels half way around the world before the truth puts on its boots") it's not actual https://dukewayne.com/index.php?thread/2676-congressional-medal-of-honor/
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've never seen a John Wayne movie through the end. Each Christmas, you better believe a Dean Martin Christmas album is in the mix.
I remember seeing this film a long time ago. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteI double checked because I was having a senior moment, but I remembered when we visited Old Tucson that they said this movie was filmed there Sure enough when I checked, it was. Of course I haven't seen it though.
ReplyDeletebetty
I haven't seen this one but it's already on my watchlist. I hope to see it soon.
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