Customer Reviews

Albuquerque

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paramount Pictures release of "Albuquerque" (1948/91 mins), featuring a who's who in great western action, drama and thrill-packed adventure ~ Cole Armin (Randolph Scott) heads the cast with John Armin (George Cleveland), Letty Tyler (Barbara Britton), Celia Wallace (Catherine Craig), Juke (George "Gabby" Hayes), Ted Wallace (Russell Hayden), Steve Murkill (Lon Chaney Jr) ~ under director Ray Enright, screenplay by Gene Lewis and Clarence Upson Young, from the novel "Dead Freight for Piute" by Luke Short, a wonderful western story just waiting to be made into a major film.

With the good guys Scott, Hayes and Hayden ready to set-up a small wagon-freight-hauling business to compete with Cleveland, Chaney and Britton, things are starting to get a little rough with family members Scott and Cleveland (his tyrant Uncle) ~ the freight business isn't big enough for the two of them ~ Scott & Hayden decide to work together as partners to get the big contract with the miners ~ but lookout for Chaney, he wants a piece of Scott and put him permanently in "boot hill" ~ the action quickens with some great hard riding ~ someone has tampered with Scott's brakes on his wagon, all going down a steep trail right behind Gabby's wagon...will everything work out...are the wagons going to make it...can Gabby get out of the way of Scott's wagon...does Scott have what it takes to survive without losing his life are the life of others ~ this is a greedy bunch bent on revenge against our favorite western hero ~ Randolph Scott.

This is not a B-Western, but a major film with a story that will keep you glued to your seat ~ the characters are very real with a fine performance by Barbara Britton, you don't know till the very end which side she's on ~ wonderful portrayal by George "Gabby" Hayes, who has worked with the best John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gary Cooper and William Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy)...Gabby is one of the biggest scene stealers in the business, voted the favorite sidekick of all-time in western films during the '30s, '40s and '50s...gotta love it!

Total Time: 91 mins ~ Universal Studios Home Video 24928 ~ (6/01/2004)

To catch a previously unreleased western in this day and age of readily accessible satellite TV is a treat. When that new release happens to be a relatively obscure Randolph Scott western from 1948, presented in the wonderful format of DVD, in CineColor no less, the occasion is nothing short of crackerjack! From an opening stagecoach chase where the fate of a child hangs in the balance, to a grand finale at break neck speed down a hazardous mountain trail, this tale of good and evil in the Old West is one of Scott's best. The wonderful cast includes George "Gabby" Hayes as Randolph's colorful side-kick and Lon Chaney, Jr., as a bad guy so dense he must have been bronc-tossed a few times on his head. Add to that the most colorful cowboy costumes you'll ever see in a serious western and a storyline where right is thicker than blood and you are in for a 5-spur (*****)evening!

Okay, this little review comes in advance of the release of the DVD of Albuquerque, and that may seem a bit odd. Despite that, this is of such importance that a short note is actually due prior to the release. Randy Scott's Albuquerque is the most elusive of his Westerns. At "Western festivals" and among dealers this is the one Scott movie that no one seems to have ever seen or have access to. Some writers have gone so far as to suggest that the movie, originally released I think by Paramount, had been lost. Now that Universal is bringing it out, we can only give thanks that it does indeed exist and will be available (hopefully in the same quality production that characterizes other Universal releases). All reviews of the film indicate that it was an above-average Scott vehicle, with good production values. The cast includes George "Gabby" Hayes and Barbara Britton. So, thanks to Universal for this release, and for some of the other very fine oaters listed for release at about the same time [e.g. When the Daltons Rode, Whispering Smith, No Name on the Bullet, etc.]

I collect westerns. And when I saw a Randolph Scott available, I bought it, despite never having seen it before. Was very pleasantly surprised, which hasn't always been the case with these kinds of purchases. Great little story, good cast, characters well drawn, plenty of action and Gabby Hayes as well. Transfer is good with only two minor blips that didn't detract from the watching. Good enough to tell when they were using a painted background(not often), rather than the real thing. Color was great. And learned what an early teamster had to do.

If you're fond of older movies which were essentially programmers, you might enjoy this. It's a better-than-average Randolph Scott Western with some good elements. Cole Armin (Scott) arrives in Albuquerque ready to take up a job offer made by his uncle, John Armin (George Cleveland). John Armin, aging and confined to a wheelchair, runs things in Albuquerque with a ruthless fist, the sheriff in his pocket, a thug on call and a merciless inclination to destroy any competition. Cole quickly sees what the "job" will call for, quits, and joins up with a brother and sister, Tom and Celia Wallace (Russell Hayden and Catherine Craig), who are trying to start a hauling business. They plan to sign contracts with mine owners to bring ore down from the nearby silver mines. Juke (Gabby Hayes), who has become friends with Cole, signs on to show them the ropes of mule train hauling. There are holdups, fist fights, shootings, fires and a lovely spy (Barbara Britton) as Cole takes on the criminal hirelings of his uncle. The climax comes when Juke and Cole lead ten 12-mule wagons laden with ore down a dangerous shale-filled mountain road from the Angel's Roost mine into town, to be met by his uncle's hired guns.

As I say, it's not bad. Scott always seemed to me to be a credible Western hero. Catherine Craig as Scott's love interest is no actress but she has a calmness about her which is nice and she has a great, low speaking voice. George Cleveland, who one critic called "round and twinkling," was a long-time character actor who usually played granddads. He turned in an effective performance as a ruthless man who will not be denied. Lon Chaney Jr. played his thug with a nice combination of thickness and meanness. The only real drawback for me was Gabby Hayes, who by this time could only play Gabby Hayes. I'm not sure who was the biggest ham in late Thirties and Forties movies, Hayes or Lionel Barrymore. For me, a little Gabby goes a long way.

I think Albuquerque is a better than average Western, made during the time when Hollywood was churning out double features. The DVD picture is a little soft and slightly orange but not enough to be distracting. There are no extras.

ALBUQUERQUE aka SILVER CITY a big-budget full 90-minute western from 1948. Based on a Luke Short novel and starring the ever dependable Randolph Scott and most peoples favourite western sidekick George "Gabby" Hayes. Although Hayes always played the old timer he was in fact less than 13 years older than the unusually (at times) cheerful Randolph Scott as seen here! Also starring Russell Hayden a real westerner he was probably best known as Hopalong Cassidy's (William Boyd) sidekick `Lucky' Jenkins.

Juke (George `Gabby' Hayes) is the stagecoach driver bound for Albuquerque, New Mexico from El Paso, Texas. On board is Celia Wallace (Catherine Craig) co-owner (with her brother) of the Wallace Freight Company she is delivering a $10,000 business bankroll. Also on board is former Texas Ranger Cole Armin who is taking a job for his uncle John, en-route the stage is held up a man is killed and Miss Wallace is relieved of her bankroll. On arriving in Albuquerque, Cole soon realises that Armin is a dirty word around town, suspecting his uncle knows something about the bankroll heist Cole sets about retrieving the bankroll then switches allegiance to Ted Wallace (Russell Hayden) and his sister. Meanwhile wheelchair-bound John Armin (George Cleveland) who runs the rival Monarch Freighting Company, hires a pretty female spy Letty Tyler (Barbara Britton) to infiltrate and set a trap for the newly formed Wallace (Cole) Armin Freight Company who have just won a contract with the Angel Roost Silver Mine to haul ore down a perilous shale-filled one-way mountain track into town using a ten wagon mule train. Despite a runaway sabotaged wagon with faulty brakes, they still managed somehow to safely negotiate the hill. Celia Wallace met them at the bottom of the hill having come warn them of an ambush by a bunch of hired guns led by John Armin's henchman Steve Murkill (Lon Chaney Jr.) As they set out for town Cole plans a counterattack as they head for the final showdown.

Ray Enfield was the director here; he also directed several more Randolph Scott westerns including the third version of the oft-filmed western THE SPOILERS (1942) in which Scott co-starred with John Wayne and Marlene Dietrich.

This original Cinecolor Paramount film maybe nearly sixty years old (2007) but the transfer to DVD with scene select option is first class. Released under the Universal Western Collection label this is good all round western fare, well worth the money!

Another wholesome western starring Randolf Scott. Gabby Hayes is also good in a supporting role. There are many good scenic views throughout the movie and the story keeps your interest. It's just another example of movies that can be entertaining without bad language. Enjoy with the family.

a good story with 2 actors seldom seen in colour viz russel hayden and gabby hayes.randolph scott always turns in a 100% effort and this movie is no exception.i think western movie lovers and rs fans will enjoy this easy paced fare, regards ken

This probably has the best balance of any of Scott's westerns of a complicated plot, pleny of action and the humor of Gabby Hayes and that little girl who keeps popping up. A very enjoyable story. Gabby was in the driver's seat in the opening scene and in the spotlight in the closing scene. Too bad he wasn't in more of Scott's best films to lighten up Scott's stoicism. It's interesting that the woman Scott ends up with isn't even listed among the major characters, even though she is a major presence throughout the film. In contrast, the lovely but sneaky Barbara Britton is given second billing, despite her belated appearance. Those of you who used to watch the TV series "Lassie" will be surprised to find "Gramps" in the chief villain role. Enough said. Find a copy and enjoy.

Albuquerque is an excellent western that movies energetically through the plot. No real surprises in the story. Technical quality of the DVD was excellent.