Cowboy (1958)

An idealistic tenderfoot Chicago hotel clerk is taken on a cattle-drive to Mexico by famous trail boss Tom Reece but discovers that cowboy life isn't what he expected.

Director:

Delmer Daves

Writers:

Frank Harris (book), Edmund H. North (screenplay)

Stars:

Glenn Ford, Jack Lemmon, Anna Kashfi

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Glenn Ford	...	Tom Reese
Jack Lemmon	...	Frank Harris
Anna Kashfi	...	Maria Vidal / Arriega
Brian Donlevy	...	Doc Bender - Trail Hand
Dick York	...	Charlie - Trail Hand
Víctor Manuel Mendoza	...	Paco Mendoza - Ramrod
Richard Jaeckel	...	Paul Curtis
King Donovan	...	Joe Capper - Trail Hand
Vaughn Taylor	...	Mr. Fowler - Chicago Hotel Manager
Donald Randolph	...	Senor Vidal - Maria's Father
James Westerfield	...	Mike Adams
Eugene Iglesias	...	Don Manuel Arriega
Frank DeKova	...	Alcaide (as Frank de Kova)

Storyline

Chicago hotel clerk Frank Harris dreams of making his fortune in the cattle business. He gets his chance when, the father of the Mexican woman he loves breaks off their relationship and Frank bankrolls cattleman Tom Reece to be able to join him on a cattle buying trip to Mexico. Soon, though, the tenderfoot finds out the reality of life on the trail as a cowboy is not what he expected.

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Plot Keywords:

cattle baron | mexico | cattle ranch | native american attack | based on book | 

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Taglines:

THE REAL, TRUE STORY OF THE WEST! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was a central part of the plot of the first episode of Dennis the Menace (1959).

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Goofs

In a rail car containing the shipment of cattle, Tom Reese, an 'experienced' cattle-handler, attempts to help up a fallen steer by pulling the animal's head so that it can get up on its front legs then, presumably, on to its hind legs. No bovine will normally get up like this, and it's easier for it, firstly, to raise itself up on its hind legs by lunging forward, then put its front legs under it to stand up. To help this animal get up, you must lift its rear end by grabbing either the tail root or its backside.

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Quotes

Slim Barrett: Tell the boys the time you ate them Indians, huh? Come on!
Joe Capper, Trailhand: Ah, I only ate but one injun in my whole life. An even then it was just a haunch.
[a little later]
Paul Curtis: Hey, old Joe would be rather fighting Indians all the time, wouldn't you, Joe? Look at him, boss. It makes him hungry just thinking about it.
Joe Capper, Trailhand: Ah, cut it out, will you, Curtis? I was near starving to death. In fact, I didn't even know that injun. Anyway, I threw away everything except for one haunch.
Paul Curtis: Which haunch did you keep, Joe?
Joe Capper, Trailhand: Well, the left...

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Connections

Referenced in Trumbo (2007)

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Soundtracks

Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie
Music by George N. Allen
Frequently referenced in George Duning's musical score

User Reviews

Striking Western about a tenderfoot and a tough cowboy well performed by Lemmon and Ford respectively

Formidable Western full of action , ironic touches , fascinating drama , Mexican fiesta , cattle round-up , romantic episodes and fabulous performances . Fine and classic Western by Delmer Daves with a magnificent Jack Lemmon and a restrained Glenn Ford . It's a wonderful adventure film format "western" itinerant, full of amusing events , danger and life lessons . In the 1870s a Chicago hotel clerk named Frank Harris (a notoriously mendacious Jack Lemmon in his usual role ) dreams of life as a cowboy , and the tenderfoot gets his opportunity when , jilted by the dad of the girl (Anna Kashfi) he wishes , he unites forces with Tom Reece (Glenn Ford) and his cattle-driving team (Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and Brian Donlevy) . Soon after, though, the ex-clerk finds out existence on the range is neither what he expected nor what he's been wishing . The brave clerk agrees to covenant with Tom a 2.000 mile cattle drive from Chicago until arrive their destination in the Rio Grande , overcoming several risks , avoiding Indian attacks , cattle stampede and several other things .

This first-rate Western draws its riveting tale and power from the interaction of finely drawn roles as well as adventure and action . Good adult Western with exciting battle of wits between an obstinate clerk and an expert cowboy . Interesting and likable screenplay based on own reminiscences by novelist Frank Harris and well adapted by the notorious Edmund H. North and the black-listed Dalton Trumbo . Delmer Daves does a good work , an energetic and exciting movie , pitting two antagonist characters against the rugged toughness forced a vast natural environment throughout the trail . Highlight the exemplary value of the landscape as essential dramatic figure, and the narrative takes a brisk pace but not fast, a dash dense but not cumbersome. Glenn Ford as stern boss does an excellent interpretation along with a great cast that appears beautiful Anna Kashfi and other nice secondaries as Dick York , Richard Jaeckel and special appearance by veteran Brian Donlevy. Striking cinematography by Charles Lawton Jr who reflects masterfully the spectacular outdoors . Atmospheric and stirring musical score by George Duning , well conducted by habitual Morris Stoloff . The motion picture is well directed by Delmer Daves - including his characteristic use of landscape- , a Western expert as proved in ¨The hanging tree¨ , ¨3:10 to Yuma¨, ¨The last wagon¨, Jubal , ¨Drum beat¨, ¨Return of the Texan¨, and the notorious ¨Broken arrow¨ . And of course ¨Cowboy¨ that turns out to be stylish, fast paced , solid, meticulous and with enjoyable look . This well acted movie is gripping every step of the way . An unjustly forgotten film results to be a good western and remains consistently agreeable . Rating : Above average , worthwhile watching .

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 1958 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Frontier

Filming Locations:

Lawton, Oklahoma, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Phoenix Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1