Universal’s Vault Series has made Comanche Territory (1950) available for pre-order. No release date has been given.
MacDonald Carey is Jim Bowie, trying to keep peace after silver is discovered on Comanche territory. Maureen O’Hara and Charles Drake are the sinister siblings trying to break the treaty.
George Sherman, as you’d expect, makes great use of the Arizona locations — beautiful in Technicolor. And it’s cool to see Maureen O’Hara getting in on the action scenes (she’s seen below in a Jergens Lotion ad that appeared in Life in March, 1950). In her book ‘Tis Herself, she described Comanche Territory as “a fairly decent Western and the film in which I mastered the American bullwhip. By the time the picture was over, I could snap a cigarette out of someone’s mouth.”
Comanche Territory isn’t a great Western, but it has plenty to recommend it.
Surprisingly it was quite entertaining, when I was not particularly fond of Macdonald Carey in the lead.
I already have it on DVD. It was released on Region 2 in the UK in August, 2011 and it’s a beautiful transfer with excellent image and sound quality and vibrant early Technicolor.
The Universal Vault forthcoming releases are a treasure-trove for
fans of vintage movies;long may it continue.
Other goodies are THE TEXAS RANGERS RIDE AGAIN a Paramount
B movie from 1940 with a knockout cast.
They are also releasing several Karloff/Lugosi horrors which I think
were previously issued on a Bela box set. The artwork on these “stand
alone” releases is stunning and includes the bizarre THE INVISIBLE RAY
from noted B Western director Lambert Hillyer.
Another rare horror is THE MONSTER AND THE GIRL which features an
early appearance from Western great Rod Cameron.
They are also releasing FLAME OF ARABY an “eastern” Western.
This is a very fast moving film with more camp dialogue than any film I
can remember. “Any more of you thieving scum want to try for this wench”
Maureen O Hara forceful as ever, has a lot to contend with in this one..
The film has barely started when she is horse whipped by Jeff Chandler!
Still he is a safer bet than her two other would be suitors Lon Chaney
and Buddy Baer…………..yikes!
Most of the film is about horse wrangling in lovely Lone-Pine settings;
as Jeff and the boys try to capture an elusive black stallion. Kinda
reminds me of BLACK HORSE CANYON.The film looks great with
plenty of those stunning matte compositions Universal were so famous for.
And what a cast…..Maxwell Reed,Richard Egan,Dewey Martin,Royal Dano,
Susan Cabot,Henry Brandon and Neville Brand.
The film is even campier than PRINCESS OF THE NILE another Leonard
Goldstein production with a knockout cast.
Mr Goldstein is far and away my favourite producer with some great films
in his portfolio;to name a few:LARCENY,ONE WAY STREET,SLEEPING
CITY,SADDLE TRAMP,UNTAMED FRONTIER,THE RAID and STRANGER
ON HORSEBACK,as well as COMANCHE TERRITORY (to return to
thread) His “house” directors were George Sherman and Hugo
Fregonese which show this guy had real taste.
Sadly he passed away at a very young age just as his own production
company was started,suggesting even better things were to follow.
At any rate FLAME OF ARABY is well worth a look;it could have been
what the term “never a dull moment” was created for!
Yes, I remember seeing FLAME OF ARABY and I was giddy could be as Arabian costumed Jeff Chandler, Dewey Martin, and Royal Dano played all their dialogue in opening scene completely seriously and suppressing any trace of self-consciousness, the only way to do it. Very much a Charles Lamont movie. I couldn’t say his movies are deliberately funny or that they are not–they are kind of like white on white sometimes, but it can be to appealing effect.
First time I ever saw anyone come out for Leonard Goldstein, and I might have expected it would be you, John. Would Universal-International even be the studio we know and love without him–he was so prolific in the first years after the merger, did their first Technicolor with George Sherman directing; plainly, Goldstein brought him to the studio (this was the wonderful BLACK BART). And when Goldstein did leave and started Panoramic Productions in his Fox deal, he was on the way with more wonderful movies across that same range of genres, culminating in the greatest movie to bear his name, THE RAID. I once tried to figure out if he was still alive when that came out. He was still working hard, and I guess that’s how heart attacks come sometimes.
Here’s a great Leonard Goldstein quote for y’all, meant as his credo I do believe:
“I can’t write, I can’t direct, but I can count.”
Goldstein’s Cave Of Outlaws (1951) is way up high on my Want List.
Blake,thanks for the feedback and your kind comment.
Finally caught up with RIVER LADY one of three Yvonne de Carlo,
George Sherman,Leonard Goldstein Westerns from the late Forties.
I must say at the moment I prefer it to BLACK BART,CALAMITY JANE
AND SAM BASS though that may change.
All three films have endings that are alternately downbeat,bittersweet
and ironic.
RIVER LADY is not really a Western more of a logging drama/romance.
I love the way the tone of the film gets darker as things progress.
In films like RIVER LADY and RENEGADES and to a certain extent
RELENTLESS there was a strong romantic streak developing in
Shermans films. Also those Yvonne De Carlo Universal films of the
Fortries are most interesting;worthy of in depth analysis.
They had big budgets and really good writers were involved like
William Bowers,Oscar Brodney.
I hope Tobys book sells so well that his publisher suggests a follow up
“Forty Westerns Of The Forties”
While not so many A or B+ Westerns were made in the Forties it was
a most interesting period for the genre.
The big budget Technicolor “Super Western” emerged (WESTERN
UNION,BUFFALO BILL,CANYON PASSAGE)
B series directors like Sherman,Joe Kane and Lesley Selander were
promoted to bigger budgets. Interesting new talents were emerging
like John Sturges,Gordon Douglas and Phil Karlson.
Plus of course there were seminal works from the masters,Ford,Hawks
and Walsh.
Also the genre was growing up the heros had far darker shading
RAMROD being a prime example.
Finally Blake,many thanks for sharing that quote from Mr Goldstein,never
heard that one before,and its a darn good one!
I found that Goldstein quote in his file at the Academy library.
You say so much above we could go on all day discussing it. Well, I guess I’ll say I like RIVER LADY best of Sherman’s first four U-I Westerns too (and I’d say it is one given even a little latitude of definition). I think of these as the Yvonne De Carlo/Dan Duryea/Howard Duff/Ann Blyth group (Duff and Blyth co-star in 1949 RED CANYON which I saw a really poor copy of before but now have a good one recorded from Western channel and looking forward to it). As you note the Columbias before this RENEGADES and RELENTLESS are excellent Sherman Westerns too.
What I’d say and strongly believe about the 40s is that 1946 is a watershed year for the genre, significantly its first postwar year. It is here that one finds especially CANYON PASSAGE and MY DARLING CLEMENTINE, arguably the best and most mature Westerns yet made, a whole new level of what it could be, and a very appealing group of films generally if one goes down the list. Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea were making conscious decisions to concentrate on Westerns then, which as we know they stuck to, really good and talented directors were coming to the genre, and of course couldn’t agree more with you about Ford, Hawks and Walsh in this period.
Along with the two mentioned above, I especially value PURSUED and COLORADO TERRITORY (Walsh), RED RIVER (Hawks) and in Ford’s cavalry trilogy SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON. But FORT APACHE, THREE GODFATHERS, RAMROD, YELLOW SKY, I SHOT JESSE JAMES and SOUTH OF ST. LOUIS are barely less. Some of these are more modern in terms of late 40s currents than others perhaps, but they all have a level of sophistication and artistry that is a joy. Of course that applies to the Shermans we are discussing as well, and many others. Even if it’s kind of overwrought in some ways, there is something memorable about DUEL IN THE SUN too.
A great discussion here, as always! JohnK, thanks so much for the tip on FLAME OF ARABY, I just put it in my Amazon cart and am looking forward to its release.
Love the Yvonne DeCarlo discussion as she is one of my faves. Haven’t seen RIVER LADY yet but have a couple others mentioned on tape (as well as RED CANYON with Ann Blyth). My favorite DeCarlo is the very amusing THE GAL WHO TOOK THE WEST which had a Wm. Bowers co-written screenplay.
I’ve also got to take a look at I SHOT JESSE JAMES. So many interesting movies, so little time! Thanks for all the great suggestions, everyone.
Best wishes,
Laura
If you haven’t seen it yet, Laura, I would like to encourage BAND OF ANGELS, 1957, directed by Raoul Walsh and I believe one of his greatest films. This is a Civil War melodrama and since it stars Clark Gable it may make you think of an earlier, much more famous movie that frankly is not remotely as good as this one. An older Gable was never better than under Walsh’s direction (three films of which this is last) but I’m mentioning it because of Yvonne De Carlo–she has a great role, surely her best, and is just wonderful in this. It’s on DVD, make a great evening of movie watching. De Carlo is a criminally underrated actress.
Thanks, Blake! It just so happens that I picked up BAND OF ANGELS on sale a while back but haven’t watched it yet. I recently lent the DVD to my dad, as he’s been watching a lot of DeCarlo lately too, and then when he sends it back I’ll be sure to put it in my “hot stack” next to the TV. That is high praise indeed for the movie!
I so agree about DeCarlo being underrated; she could do it all, and in her more humorous roles she has a certain quality of not taking herself too seriously that I really like — perhaps that’s all the more attractive as she was such an incredible beauty. I’ve also been impressed with what I’ve heard of her on the set — Cecil B. DeMille’s granddaughter told the audience at a 10 COMMANDMENTS screening that DeCarlo was very kind and down to earth.
The more I see of her work, the more I admire her. Thanks for the added recommendation!
Best wishes,
Laura
I just posted one of my marathon comments on all things Universal/George
Sherman/Yvonne DeCarlo but it seems to have vanished so I will try a
shorter post to see if anything is wrong.
Firstly Laura;I do hope you enjoy FLAME OF ARABY otherwise I am going
to feel very guilty. Secondly Blake thanks for letting me know BAND OF
ANGELS is out on DVD;I had no idea it was.
Also Laura,it was your mention,a while back that pointed me towards
GAL WHO TOOK THE WEST.Got the Spanish DVD (lovely transfer
by the way) only watched it once;very impressed.
I like the time-shift from the then present day to the 1890s.
Here is film that will be more rewarding with future viewings;there is quiet
a lot to take in.
I do hope the Universal Vault will continue to release more of their vintage
films that we love so much.
The great Dan Duryea did three films for Sherman/Goldstein in 1948.
In BLACK BART he played the anti-hero. In the brilliant (IMHO) LARCENY
he is just plain nasty;no subtle shadings here. His performance contrasts
nicely with Joan Caulfields naive innocent.In the middle we have John Payne
a bad guy who may have a change of heart;the audience is kept guessing.
RIVER LADY can almost be seen as a capital vs labor saga.
Rod Cameron is successful to be sure;but he is a hands on sort of guy
he rolls his sleeves up and gets the job done. Dan Duryeas wheeler
dealer swans around in fancy saloons wearing expensive clothes.
He does not miss a trick however. When Yvonne DeCarlo rooks Cameron
in in important game of “showdown” Duryea is wise to her sleight of
hand from the other side of the room. “Where did he learn about women
Kindergarten” he sneers.
From the outset Cameron and Duryea dislike each other they exchange
a series of barbed one liners. The two actors play these scenes beautifully.
Later when the chips are down for Cameron his mood (and the film) darkens;
he alienates those closest to him.
RIVER LADY is a dark complex film not the “romp” many would have us
believe.
Sorry to have to edit my comments but all of this was included in my
“epic” post that now seems lost in cyberspace.
I also noted that Anthony Mann gave us a new kind of Dan Duryea in
his masterwork WINCHESTER73. Duryea for the rest of his career.in
Westerns at least; gave us variations of his Waco Johnny Dean persona.
So glad there are others who admire Yvonne DeCarlo;this lady was a
class act.
Blake,RED CANYON is a Sherman film that I have yet to track down
but I will one day. I do have TARGET UNKNOWN and SPY HUNT on the
way (off air) Have you seen his “easterns” THE GOLDEN HORDE and
VEILS OF BAGHDAD,I sure would like to see them.
I do not know if you saw my comments on SON OF ROBIN HOOD
a few threads back;I was amazed how good this film actually was (decent
off air 4×3) Sherman had the ability to enhance even the most middling
material. Out of the huge amount of his A films I have been able to get
LAST OF THE REDMEN is the only one I did not like and that was mainly
down to the cast.
Someone else I have come to admire more and more is Rod Cameron
this guy was the “real deal” hugely underrated.
Would love to get an “official” DVD of FRONTIER GAL.
JohnK, so glad you enjoyed THE GAL WHO TOOK THE WEST, I thought it was a wonderful surprise when I first happened across it. Really a well-done film with a delightful lead performance by DeCarlo. (It’s not a Western but I also found her particularly charming in the Universal pirate movie BUCCANEER’S GIRL.) FRONTIER GAL is a movie I saw on TV when I was growing up; I recorded it from Encore Westerns not long ago and need to revisit it.
Believe a friend will be sending me LARCENY soon, looking forward to it.
FYI, by chance I just discovered one of Blake’s favorite Westerns, FOUR GUNS TO THE BORDER, available on YouTube, must watch it before it disappears!
Best wishes,
Laura
How are people with watching movies on YouTube? I’m just not ready for it yet. Laura, if you want to hold out Encore Westerns has shown FOUR GUNS TO THE BORDER before and will again I’m sure.
Hi Blake! I’ve not watched a great many films on YouTube but have been finding more and more posted in their entirety, rather than split into 9 or 10 chapters. Such is the case with FOUR GUNS TO THE BORDER. If I watch it on my Kindle Fire (which has a small screen but extremely good picture and sound quality), it’s pretty much the same effect as if I were streaming Netflix and provides a pretty enjoyable experience, though generally speaking I much prefer watching on my larger TV screen — and would far prefer buying a movie like this in a beautiful Universal Vault DVD to enjoy again in the future!
Laura
I’ve watched a couple of things on Youtube during lunch. I was really happy to find The Hard Man there! It’s certainly not the best viewing experience, but if it’s something hard to find…
Plus, when working on the book, it’s great to be able to call a film up no matter where you are.
I really hope everyone reads Laura on FOUR GUNS TO THE BORDER. Her sensitive writing really does it justice. Very heartening to this ardent admirer of the movie for someone else to discover it, especially as it is Laura.
Thanks so much, Blake, I appreciate that.
Was very interested that a woman just posted in the FOUR GUNS thread at “my place” that, like you, she first saw the film in a theater at an impressionable age and it made a very lasting impression. That’s some testimonial. :)
Best wishes,
Laura