3:10 to Yuma (1957)

3:10 to Yuma offers a simple story, in some ways flawed but makes up for it some nifty black and white photography. Director Delmer Daves goes for some good shots to make this something more than a run of the mill western.Glenn Ford is the leader of the outlaw pack, when he smirks he looks a bit like a shark. Van Heflin is the poor rancher facing a drought, in need of money and respect from his family. When Ford is captured, Van Heflin agrees for $200 to escort Ford to the town of Contention and put him on the train to Yuma before Ford's gang can rescue him.In the mean time devious Ford toys and plays mind games with Van Heflin. Can he keep his nerve and get Ford on the train in one piece as Ford's vicious gang close in?It is an average 'one man who stands up to the baddies' melodrama but High Noon did this better and that movie had a political subtext, this is rather low key with a rather spurious climax.

3:10 to Yuma (1957): Dir: Delmer Daves / Cast: Glenn Ford, Van Heflin, Henry Jones, Falicia Farr, Robert Emhardt: Suspense western regarding endurance within the confines of danger. An outlaw is apprehended and set for the train arriving at 3:10 heading to Yuma. Structure is mainly a room overlooking the streets where criminal Ben Wade attempts to convince Dan Evans to let him go. Director Delmer Daves does a fine job at creating tension but perhaps his villain is too likable. Glenn Ford plays the sly Wade who is arrested and readied for transportation but his gang is closing in once a diversion fails. Wade is experiencing some hospitality from Evans, which doesn't go unnoticed. Van Heflin portrays Evans who suffers the drought and accepts the job of transporting Wade. He has integrity even at the safety of Wade but he will remain at his duty. Henry Jones plays town drunk Alex Potter who provides comic relief despite very standard writing. He fails to fully comprehend the potential consequences of undertaking this task. Falicia Farr plays a saloon waitress whom Wade dazzles. She is very good but the role becomes more distant as the story moves on. Robert Emhardt is the one who makes the charge and the cash offer for this task to be performed. High Noon dealt with similar themes but with greater conviction while this film is somewhat hooky but entertaining. Score: 6 / 10

It's late 19th century in the dusty Arizona Territory. Struggling rancher Dan Evans (Van Heflin) and his sons encounter Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) and his gang in a stagecoach holdup. Dan refuses to intervene. Later, Ben is captured. Desperate for money, Dan takes the job to guard the criminal destined for the the 3:10 train to Yuma.This is one of the first based on a Elmore Leonard short story. I watched the 2007 remake first. I found it gritty, morally murky, and quite frankly confused without the black and white characters. After watching the 1957 original, I can appreciate more of what the filmmakers are trying to do. I especially like the kid nagging at his father, almost taunting him as a coward. Dan's motivation is varied and complicated. In a sense, he's very human. Glenn Ford is brilliant playing against type as a villain. His motivation is also complicated. He seems like a mannered honorable man one minute and a cold-hearted killer the next. The ending is a little bit too happy ending which seemed ill fitting. Other than that, there is a lot to recommend in this movie.

Everything about this film is great. One of maybe half a dozen great westerns. Delmer Daves direction and Charles Lawton Jr.'s cinematography bring a perfect screenplay to life. My favorite part might be the interlude with Ben Wade (Glenn Ford at his best)and Emmy (Felicia Farr) in the saloon. Their chemistry is perfect. Then there is beautiful long shot of Emmy standing looking forlorn in the middle of the empty dusty street watching the stage coach taking Wade away. In the distance behind her and off to the left, Mr. Butterfield watches. Later there is a nice contrasting scene involving Dan Evens (Van Heflin) wife. A pleasure to watch solid straight forward film making.