Stagecoach

1939 Western

Cast:

Ringo Kid: John Wayne

Dallas: Claire Trevor

Buck: Andy Devine

Hatfield: John Carradine

Doc Boone: Thomas Mitchell

Director:

John Ford

A varied group of passengers embarks on a Stagecoach journey from an Arizona town to Lordsburg, New Mexico, even though they must cross Apache territory where Geronimo is on the warpath. Each traveler has a unique and captivating story, along with a pressing reason for leaving Arizona for New Mexico.

Ringo Kid (John Wayne) has recently escaped from prison. He joins the coach en route, hell bent on getting revenge in Lordsburg for the murder of this brother. This is Wayne's first major role after a string of B westerns.

Dallas (Clair Trevor) has a bad reputation in town and is forced to leave by the puritanical women's society as is Doc Boone who is a drunkard.

Hatfield (Carradine) is a notorious gambler. After spotting a lady on the coach who is the daughter of a commander he served under in the civil war, he offers his protection for her on the journey. She is on her way to meet her husband's Calvary regiment.

There is also a banker who is fleeing town after stealing the Wells Fargo payroll and a whiskey salesman who Doc attaches himself to during the trip regularly sampling his wares.

Buck (Devine) is the jovial stagecoach driver who is more than a little concerned about Geronimo and his people.

The sheriff rides along hoping to encounter the Ringo Kid.

Even in black and white the scenery of Monument Valley, the location where the film was shot,is spectacular.

The coach makes several stops, with Apache Wells being the most pivotal. When a passenger gives birth unexpectedly, Doc redeems himself and Dallas shows the group her humanity.

Dallas and the Ringo Kid develop a romantic relationship for which Dallas feels she's unworthy.

This movie has everything. There is plenty of action, humor, interesting characters and fascinating story lines and all it comes together perfectly at the end.

I think this is a masterpiece by John Ford. Clair Trevor is heartbreaking as Dallas and John Wayne is youthful and heroic.

Westerns are not my favorite genre, but this is one I've watched over and over.

It's pretty much perfect.

Boffo Buff