Dodge City (1939)

Very best movie i ever watch

hyped garbage

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

'Dodge City' had a huge amount going for it, with a great director like Michael Curtiz ('The Adventures of Robin Hood', 'Casablanca') and with a cast like Errol Flynn, Olivia De Havilland, Alan Hale, Bruce Cabot, Victor Jory, Ann Sheridan and Guinn Williams.While not the best, or one of the best films, of all involved, 'Dodge City' is still a very good and very entertaining film. As radiant and charming as she is it is a real shame that De Havilland's role isn't bigger and that her role doesn't have much to it at all. The story is pretty ordinary, and does start off somewhat plain.However, 'Dodge City' is handsomely mounted and beautifully shot in lush early Technicolor. Curtiz directs exuberantly, especially from the saloon brawl scene onward, while Max Steiner's music score is rousing, witty and rich in sumptuous orchestration, typical Steiner really.The script is smart, well-crafted and witty, and the story does have great moments. The highlight is the revered saloon brawl, which is one of the greatest brawls on film, but there is also an exciting final show-down and interesting opening sequence.Flynn is full of likable charisma and looks completely at ease, despite being a different role it is the kind of charisma that makes his Captain Blood and especially Robin Hood so iconic. He does share a very poignant chemistry with De Havilland. Hale and Williams are very funny in the comedic roles, and Cabot and Jory are great smarmy villains. Sheridan is delightful in her short (too short) role.Overall, very good and entertaining film and not one to dodge. 8/10 Bethany Cox

"Dodge City, Kansas - 1872. Longhorn cattle center of the world and wide-open Babylon of the American frontier - packed with settlers, thieves and gunmen"."Dodge City... rolling in wealth from the great Texas trail-herds... the town that knew no ethics but cash and killing".Enter trail boss Wade Hatton, cunningly disguised as a dashing Errol Flynn........Dodge City, an all action Western from start to finish, finds Errol Flynn {in his first Western outing} on tip top form. Based around the story of Wyatt Earp, Michael Curtiz's expensively assembled film charms as much today as it did to audiences back in 1939. All the genre staples are holding the piece together, dastardly villains, pretty gals, wagon train, cattle drive, iron horse, Civil War, shoot outs, fist fights and of course an heroic Sheriff. All neatly folded by the astute and impressive Curtiz. Aided by Sol Polito's fluid Technicolor enhanced photography, and Max Steiner's breezy score, Curtiz's set pieces shine as much as they enthral. A burning runaway train and the finest saloon brawl in cinema are the stand outs, but there are many other high points on which to hang the hat of praise.Very much a male dominated film, it's with the ladies that Dodge City fails to reach greater heights. Olivia de Havilland, who is always a feast for the eyes in Technicolor, disliked her role as Abbie Irving, and it's not hard to see why. There is not much for her to get her teeth into, it's a simple role that demands nothing other than saying the lines and to look pretty. Ann Sheridan as Ruby Gilman gets the more sparky role, but she sadly doesn't get that much screen time. Which is a shame because what little there is of Sheridan is really rather great.Those problems aside, it's with the guys that Dodge City is rightly remembered. Flynn attacks the role of Hatton with gusto and a glint in his eye. When he straps on the Sheriff badge for the first time it's akin to Clark Kent shredding his suit to become Superman. Yes it's that exciting. Bruce Cabot and Victor Jory are growly and great villains, while comedy relief comes in the fine form of side-kickers Alan Hale and Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams. Dodge City sets out to entertain, and entertain it does. In a year that saw other notable and lauded Westerns also released {Stagecoach, Jesse James and Destry Rides Again} give credit where credit is due, Dodge City deserves its place amongst those offerings. Most assuredly so as well. 8/10

After the end of the United States Civil War, the recovering nation turns to the building of the unsettled west. Handsome young Irish immigrant Errol Flynn (as Wade Hatton) arrives in Dodge City, Kansas, to help. But, cattleman Flynn finds the wealthy city is controlled by lawless Bruce Cabot (as Jeff Surrett), an old enemy. Due to Mr. Cabot's presence, a young boy is horrifically killed during one of the town's frequent shoot-ups; so, Flynn decides accept a Sheriff's position, and rid the town of its rats.Beautiful Olivia de Havilland (as Abbie Irving) provides romantic interest, although Flynn gets off on the wrong foot by helping cause the death of her brother (William Lundigan). Saloon singer Ann Sheridan (as Ruby Gilman) and brawling Guinn "Big Boy" Williams (as Tex Baird) are among the others making fine impressions, in this richly produced Warner Brothers western. The direction (Michael Curtiz) and Technicolor cinematography (Sol Polito) combine for some outstanding scenes and images.******** Dodge City (4/1/39) Michael Curtiz ~ Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Bruce Cabot, Ann Sheridan

"Dodge City" is Warner Bros.' action star Errol Flynn's attempt at the western genre. He portrays Wade Hatton, an adventurer who settles in Dodge City, Kansas and attempts to clean up the unruly city to make it safe for civilians who find the "cowtown" dangerous. Hatton's main antagonist is Jeff Surrett, a businessman who uses violence to achieve his aims. Hatton is ably assisted by his sidekick, Rusty (Alan Hale), who acts as deputy and backs up Hatton in all his fights, while he is sheriff and before. Wade has a contentious relationship with a woman, played by Olivia deHavilland. At first she does not like Hatton, blaming Wade for the death of her brother on a cattle drive but coming to love him when he shows his courage in opposing the men who make Dodge City a dangerous place to live. This film is directed by Michael Curtiz, one of Warners' top directors and top-billed by Flynn, a major star, bu this is only an average western, so it gets a grade of B-