Customer Reviews

Big Jim Mclain [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This excellent movie about two detectives (6'4 (76) Wayne and 6'7 Arness) who search for Communism in the Honolulu area. The plot is realistic in the sense that the movie is about something that was happening in 1952. Many people don't like this, even though I don't know why. It has everything: comedy, action, scenery, adventure, remorse, etc. It is a switch for Wayne (who would make Hondo in '53 and The Searchers in '56.), but it shows how great an actor John Wayne is. This is a must-see movie for any fan of Wayne, big or small.

in answer to the "draft dodge" question,when wayne was 39 years old in 1939(yes 39) he became a star in stagecoach.at the age of 42(yes 42) he was given a deferment because of his AGE and the number of children he had not because he was a coward.john ford a vet of world war II9he lost an eye) made many movies with wayne and wouldn't have had wayne been a coward.no the movies isn't very good but its ok when viewed as a time capsule,and thats it.wayne looking to stop a commie plot in hawaii is an action movie and propganda,nothing more.
To call into question the honor and motives of a man like john wayne(who most of the world thinks of when you say american)is just wrong. this man did more for his country that most people ever do. no i don't think everything he belived in was right,but at least he stood up for what he thought and didn't attack people after they were gone and couldn't fight back.

I have always viewed this as an iconic movie. It largely a forgotten piece, but in reality both records in Russia (excuse me - fmr Soviet Union)and in America have shown that the Communists and their sympathizers were very active, if not ineffectual. Ineffectual does not make them a Non-Threat.

Now to the movie - it is a movie, so reality is stretched. But it is John Wayne and a fine story. I found it entertaining, fun and moved along nicely.

As for those that are Anti-everything (America & John Wayne, etc, etc.) take a chill pill. Most of us do not care about your petty thoughts, concerns and tirades.

John Wayne was no draft dodger as one of the previous reviewer(a left-wing moron) stated:

As Wikipedia states:

Wayne was 34 when the U.S. entered the war and was raising four children, and when he requested deferment he was granted a 3-A deferment for family reasons. Later in the war his deferment was changed to a 2-A deferment with the explanation that having him serve was not in the national interest. Despite not serving, Wayne did support the military through participation in USO shows for U.S. servicemen.

I guess it would have been better if we had let the government take care of his children if he had perished in WWII? My grandfather also didn't serve in WWII because he had three children to raise including my father.

LONG LIVE JOHN WAYNE!!

This is a great movie about a much miss-understood subject. This movie seems strange even to me in its blatent acusations against American citizens of being Communists. BUT THEY WERE!!! Strange to me because of the brainwashing we American citizens must endure from the Liberal (leftist, socialist, communist) media (news, hollywood, TV). We know now the McCarthy and others were right yet the term McCarthyism is a negative term!!!

Ignorance = associating McCarthy with HUAC. McCarthy was a Senator.

This is a fun movie! The Duke and James Arness are a great combo. This film may not be politically correct in this day and time, but this film is well acted, w/ a pretty good story, some laughs(intentional), and an all around good time. Who wouldn't want to see The Duke beat up a room full of commie college professors (I'm sorry, I was being redundant). Lighten up critics! We all know how sensitive you are, just relax, and have a good time watching "Big Jim McLain."

This movie is one of John Wayan's best. I saw this movie for the first time on AMC, and I thought it was clever and funny. It is great, and anyone would love.

This is a good movie! I see that a lot of people don't like it. I'll admit it's slow, but it has a good lesson. I mean, it's totally patriotic and wonderful! You can really see how patriotic the Duke was. James Arness costars and is cool. I enjoy watching it every so often, and I think it's a good movie. That's my humble opinion!

An interesting film envolving John Wayne and James Arness. A must buy for fans of the american legend.

Big Jim McLain is an interesting movie that is a result of the times it was made in, and that has to be considered when watching it. John Wayne is Jim McLain, an agent for the Un-American Committee searching for communists living in the United States. McLain, along with his partner Mal Baxter, are sent to Hawaii to find out who the Communist party leader there is as well as the ten secret party cells hiding out in the islands. Also, McLain falls in love with a woman he meets during the course of his investigation. This is a movie that is hard to explain; it needs to be seen to understand why. It was made in 1952, which is evident throughout. It might as well be a propaganda movie because of the stances taken, but don't get me wrong, that's why I'm recommending it. Big Jim McLain is entertaining, campy fun that is sometimes unintentionally funny. As well, the movie was filmed in Hawaii which looks gorgeous. So for a very entertaining look at a different time in American culture, check out Big Jim McLain.

In the title role, John Wayne plays government agent Jim McLain, a driven, dedicated man who stops at nothing in pursuit of his job. But at the same time, he's frustrated that the people he's trying to get to are protected by the US government and Constitution. Nancy Olson plays Nancy Vallon, a secretary who falls in love with McLain during his investigation and eventually get engaged. Their relationship provide some of the movie's lighter moments and surprisingly works pretty well. In one of his first bigger roles, James Arness plays Mal Baxter, McLain's partner who is as driven as Jim to stop communism because what happened to him fighting in Korea as a Marine. Much of the rest of the cast is an ensemble who McLain and Baxter come across while searching for the Communist party members in Hawaii. One that stands out is Veda Ann Borg as Madge, a woman who has involvement with the Communists and takes a liking to McLain.

The recently released DVD, in conjunction with the Duke's 100th birthday, features a good-looking standard presentation in B & W, two Warner Bros. cartoons "So You Want to Enjoy Life" and "The Super Snooper", and a theatrical trailer. So for an entertaining movie, if somewhat dated, but remember the time it was made, check out Big Jim McLain. It's a different sort of movie for the Duke, but don't let that scare you. And watch out for those Commies, they're cold blooded!