Customer Reviews

Wichita

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

 

 

This little Western, expertly directed by Jacques Tourneur and with a "hit" title song sung by Tex Ritter, should get more notice. McCrea is a natural for the marshal who cleans up Wichita, despite the ravages of some unhappy trail herders (including Lloyd Bridges), and faces down a commercial element (including Edgar Buchanan) who don't quite want that much "law and order." The action is plentiful and rapid, the photography excellent, and the dialogue crisp. The final scene is unforgettable. In short, this is a Western that will gladden the heart of any ole' Cowboy fan. Highly recommended.

This issue of Joel McCrea's classic, WICHITA, is in the PAL format, which is different from the American NTSC format. However, there are a number of companies in the US that sell all regions DVD players that will play this dvd (e.g. DVDoverseas). With a title song by Tex Ritter, beautiful photography, a solid cast, and McCrea's ease in the saddle as Wyat Earp, WICHITA is a classic Western, full of action and highly recommended. Warner Bros. has just issued an American NTSC format DVD, so the problem of formats may be a mute issue for those interested. The quality of this issue is fine.

Allied Artists Pictures presents "WICHITA" (1955) (81 min/Color) -- Starring Joel McCrea, Vera Miles, Lloyd Bridges, Wallace Ford, Edgar Buchanan, Peter Graves, John Smith & Keith Larsen

Directed by Jacques Tourneur

Filmed around the same time as Gunfight at the OK Corral, Wichita is another entertaining slant on the Wyatt Earp legend. Joel McCrea does his usual smooth, underplayed job as Wyatt Earp, who aims to bring law and order to the wide-open cow town of Wichita. At first he isn't interested in becoming Marshal but when cowboys "shoot up the town" and a little boy get skilled then Wyatt takes the job. He quickly finds himself in a bind: law and order or the money the cowboys bring to town. His least popular move is to take away the guns of everyone in town, no matter how important. So now he has the business people against him as well as the cowboys and its all going to come to a head. Wyatt seeks helped by his brothers James (John Smith) and Morgan (Peter Graves) along with Bat Masterson (Keith Larsen). Linking the storyline is an off screen ballad, sung High Noon style by Tex Ritter.

A great story, well told (in cinemascope & technicolor) and with McCrea in topnotch form!

Jacques Tourneur knew how to give an extra touch to what could be an average western, which also has some remarkable actors like Lloyd Bridges, Edgar Buchanan and the eternal bad guy, Jack Elam. There is a great scene when Wyatt first shows up, almost a dot at the top of the hill. Well directed by Jacques Tourneur . Rating : Very Good Western , well worth a view.

Golden Globe winner for Best Outdoor Drama!

BIOS:
1. Jacques Tourneur [Director]
Date of Birth: 12 November 1904 - Paris, France
Date of Death: 19 December 1977 - Bergerac, Dordogne, Aquitaine, France

2. Joel McCrea
Date of Birth: 5 November 1905 - South Pasadena, California
Date of Death: 20 October 1990 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

3. Vera Miles [aka: Vera June Ralston]
Date of Birth: 23 August 1929 - Boise City, Oklahoma
Date of Death: Still Living

4. Lloyd Bridges [aka: Lloyd Vernet Bridges Jr.]
Date of Birth: 15 January 1913 - San Leandro, California
Date of Death: 10 March 1998 - Los Angeles, California

5. Edgar Buchanan [aka: William Edgar Buchanan]
Date of Birth: 20 March 1903 - Humansville, Missouri
Date of Death: 4 April 1979 - Palm Desert, California

6. Peter Graves [aka: Peter Duesler Aurness]
Date of Birth: 18 March 1926 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date of Death: 14 March 2010 - Pacific Palisades, California

7. Keith Larsen [aka: Keith Larsen Burt]
Date of Birth: 17 June 1924 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Date of Death: 13 December 2006 - Santa Barbara, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 81 min on VHS/DVD ~ Allied Artists Pictures ~ (June 22, 2009)

CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FIRST CLASS WESTERN, JOEL McCREA AS WYATT EARP IS EXELLENT, THERE'S PLENTY OF SHOOT-OUTS, THE PHOTOGRAPHY IS GREAT AND OF COURSE THERE'S THE TITLE SONG SUNG BY THE GREAT TEX RITTER, A MOST ENJOYABLE WESTERN!

my father had introduced me to classic movies when i was 11 yrs old. this was the third movie i was introduced to, and one of the movies that had gotten me interested in wyatt earp. this was an excellent film.