The Westerner (1940)

Released in 1940 and directed by William Wyler, "The Westerner" stars Gary Cooper as a, well, Westerner who is wrongfully accused of horse theft in West Texas and sentenced to hang by the dubious "Judge" Roy Bean (Walter Brennan). The story focuses on cattlemen vs. homesteaders with the latter represented by Doris Davenport and Forrest Tucker (his debut). How do you review an old Western like this when you can't stand B&W or old-fashioned scores, not to mention the incongruent hokey elements? Basically you have to ignore all these factors and concentrate on the story and the actors. If you can do this, "The Westerner" is somewhat worth checking out, if you like the cast. Cooper was lean & mean at 38 (during shooting) and Brennan is amusing as the judge at 45. There are some genuinely comical moments, but parts of the story are too contrived and quaint, like the whole lock of hair element. Too much of the movie comes across as an old sitcom rather than an old realistic Western, like the excellent "Stagecoach" (1939). Thankfully, Doris Davenport is a spirited and winsome cutie here. The film runs 100 minutes and was shot in Arizona. The script (by no less than six people) was based on a story by Stuart N. Lake. GRADE: C

First the credits. Cooper and Brennan (long before the Real McCoys) in front. Wyler and Swerling behind. Wow.When this was filmed, the Hollywood version of the old west, dry and dusty, everyone spoke slowly, moved slowly, was the only version. Since then we have seen the Leone (Italian western) versions, the Coen Bros version, there is even a Scandanavian version if you look hard enough.Maybe it is not High Noon (double wow) and maybe we are missing Wayne or Ford, but especially for those who missed this in first run, here is a great western treat.And the Lily Langtree bit is a bonus. Iconic and classic. Gives new meaning to the phrase "thinking on your feet."

An intriguing Western which mixed drama, comedy and romance, The Westerner was well-directed and acted. It is these qualities which notes The Westerner as a quality feature.Gary Cooper leads the cast as drifter Cole Harden wandering into a long-standing battle between homesteaders and cattle herders in Vinegaroon, Texas. Being acquainted with self-righteous 'Judge' Rob Bean (Walter Brennan) whose antics have made him powerful amongst the cattle herders and Jane-Ellen Mathews (Doris Davenport), a homesteader who becomes Harden's love interest. Attempting to act as mediator, Harden has to deal with consequences stemming from his peaceful means. You may think this synopsis sounds like a straight-up Western with shootouts and fiery romance abound. However the characterisation offered great depth which are played out and explored.As an antagonist 'Judge' Bean was never one-dimensional. Whereas delivering his own form of 'justice' with no remorse and continuously conveying a leering arrogance, Bean has an obsession with starlet Lily Langtry. Adoring her pictures across his saloon, Langtry becomes a symbol for Bean's greed, selfishness and desire. Worthy opposition arrived through Harden, upping the ante in a clever game of wits between Bean getting themselves into situations which were marvellously performed by Cooper and Brennan. Their chemistry made The Westerner transformations into different genres work.The Westerner also knew how to balance generic concepts neither becoming too dramatic or comical. After the execution of a condemned man comes along the over-zealous undertaker portrayed as a laughable opportunist. Thinking Harden will be his next profit the undertaker sly-fully takes his measurements. Once Harden is spared a hanging the undertaker's reply "I've just lost a customer". This line's delivery and meaning showcased the dynamics The Westerner had to be a quality feature.

We here in Texas have always HATED corn. If you have steak, who needs vegetables? America is fat (morbidly obese) today because high fructose CORN syrup is sneaked into almost every product in our groceries. Roy Bean tried to nip the creeping evil of Big Corn in the bud during the time he appears in this libelous Big Corn Lobby smear campaign film, THE WESTERNER. As Roy knew, any grain or vegetable requires many illegal southerners to harvest. Folks like Col. Travis and Jim Bowie DIED in order to kick them out of here (they even had the unmitigated gall to try to free our Intercontinentals!). Heroes such as Davey Crockett, Sam Houston and corn farmer-Hanging Judge Roy Bean tried to insure Texans a future steady diet of good old American steak. But rascals with names like Abe Lincoln and Michelle Obama have crammed fattening corn products down our throats instead as the decades roll by. At the end of this film, the FAKE westerner played by Gary Cooper ASSASSINATES Roy Bean so the Yankee fat cats behind Big Corn can have the last laugh. If you feel a twinge of unease watching your 400-pound 12-year-old waddling toward the fridge tonight, blame Gary Cooper and Big Corn!!