Many Rivers to Cross (1955)

It is a film reflecting a period, more than a genre. because it is western and comedy and love story and beautiful eulogy to the people of frontier. and occasion for Robert Taylor to be seductive at whole. its virtue - to translate, in right manner, the atmosphere of "50. and to use , in inspired manner, the humor , remembering, in other context, same spiced, the couple Hepburn - Tracy. and, maybe, it is the axis of a story with old flavour and a lot of fun, mixed with tension, in package of old fashion sweat moral lesson.

Witty, well written, smooth flowing spoof with a nice supporting cast of well known Hollywood actors. Eleanor Parker has never been better and this early battle of the sexes, makes the on screen chemistry between she and the reluctant Robert Taylor, so much more fun. A must see. Though some of the scenes are stilted by today's fast paced standards, the overall values of family, chivalry, loyalty and integrity give the spoof credibility. It is a shame that more of the film isn't shot off stage, but I suppose Hollywood would have attempted to save cost where it could, albeit those scenes don't rob from the overall entertainment of watching Parker finally ensnare her man, helping him in turn to fall in love with her.

I watched this on TCM one night & my wife & I laughed so hard we almost fell off the couch!! This is one of those little movies that has something for everyone...comedy, action, a wonderful script, & characters that force you to like them. Robert Taylor was perfect as the footloose, frontier Romeo, & Eleanor Parker was never more beautiful & funny playing the love-sick woman who intends to "get her man" no matter what it takes...but make no mistake, she is no wimpy, sighing, helpless female...she really is "Steppin' Woman"!!!! The title song is so catchy that you'll have trouble not singing it for months afterward. Some of the dialogue is at one turn hilarious, then a few lines later, subtly humorous...a real scriptwriter's dream. There is nothing to offend anyone but lots of things to delight everyone. A great family film!!!!

The wierdest thing about MANY RIVERS TO CROSS is that is contains 2/7ths of the cast of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND... although if you go to the can you'll miss Russell Johnson's input as one of the sons. Alan Hale Jr. has a particularly strange outburst where he compares himself to a range of angry animals before attempting to beat the snot out of a too-old Robert Taylor in a jealous rage. This is an odd mix of comedy and drama with the normal MGM cast of caucasian Indians. Worth seeing on a rainy day... 6.5/10