Dodge City
Where cattle drives end, trouble begins. Thirsty, trigger-happy cowmen pour into Dodge City, where might too often makes right. There ought to be a law in this corrupt, bullet-ridden town. Once trail boss Wade Hatton (Errol Flynn) pins on a badge, there is.
In his first of eight Westerns, Flynn is as able with a six-shooter as he was with a swashbuckler's sword. He confronts lynch mobs, slams outlaws into jail and escapes (along with co-star Olivia de Havilland) a fiery, locked railroad car. Cheered for Flynn's sagebrush debut, its vivid Technicolor look and spectacular saloon brawl that may have employed every available stunt person in Hollywood, Dodge City later gained another distinction when it inspired Mel Brooks' cowboy parody Blazing Saddles. Double feature, anyone?
Member Reviews
Dodge City - TheWiz
Flynn was forced by the studios act in this coockie cutter western and it is ref;ected in his performance. It's so mundane that it effects the whole crew of actors. The real on screen/off screen love affiair he had going with Olivia is done and over and there isn't any teasing or any fun in front of or behind the cameras. The studio knew that this good guy finds girl, girl hates good guy, good guy wins girl and finally good guy kills bad guy plot would be a chep production and they would make big bucks on Flynns' name. He was broke, so he agreed. Some of the Kings of the western genre: Cooper, Wayne, Eastwood et als. Flynn? Not really.Quality Entertainment - Ilania
Despite the fact that this film is classed in the cowboy category I would venture to say that it is much more than that. Important historical events are described in this film. I agree wholeheartedly with the entire review written by bwod010253. And would venture to add another important ingredient that makes a movie better, music! In this case Oscar winner Max Steiner who has also composed the music for “Casablanca”. I would also admit that it was pleasant to watch attractive people - Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sheridan, and William Lundigan certainly fit in that category.Pantywaists? - dmarks36
OK, it may have rebooted the Western genre or at least elevated it out of 'B' movieland, but it is still cliched at times. Perhaps with fresh eyes it may have been something more, with 80ish years it looks tired. Some bits work really well, some strung together in a formula and Flynn and co never really take to the roles. But then again, if your trousers were as high on the waist as Flynn and Hale's, then perhaps you too would be uncomfortable. Add Flynn's odd manner of carrying a gun, think whiskey flask, and his buckle swashes more in the West than it should. Still, worth a rental.
Member Reviews
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Dodge City - TheWiz
Flynn was forced by the studios act in this coockie cutter western and it is ref;ected in his performance. It's so mundane that it effects the whole crew of actors. The real on screen/off screen love affiair he had going with Olivia is done and over and ...Quality Entertainment - Ilania
Despite the fact that this film is classed in the cowboy category I would venture to say that it is much more than that. Important historical events are described in this film. I agree wholeheartedly with the entire review written by bwod010253. And would ...Pantywaists? - dmarks36
OK, it may have rebooted the Western genre or at least elevated it out of 'B' movieland, but it is still cliched at times. Perhaps with fresh eyes it may have been something more, with 80ish years it looks tired. Some bits work really well, some strung together ...