Ride, Vaquero! (1953)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Even though it's not great, Quinn's performance is memorable and he really looks - and plays - the part.I'm also intrigued by a couple of brief scenes in this film - a wide shot of a cavalry fort and the shot of mounted troopers riding out look awfully like they came from "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon". Did John Ford help the producers fill a couple of small gaps?Howard Keel looked much more at home in "Pagan Love Song".Robert Taylor looks like he wore his "Billy the Kid" duds again.It's difficult to find a good, crisp copy of the film, but worth the effort.

If shoot 'em up westerns are to your taste, this is probably not your cup of tea.The theme of Civilization vs. Barbarism is nicely explored in this very unusual western. The dialog is light years beyond the dialog in most westerns. Specifically, Rio's dialog is some of the best ever written for any character in any film of this genre. Whoever wrote it must have been bi-lingual. From his syntax, it is clear Rio speaks English as his second language. It is as if he is speaking Anglicized Spanish proverbs half of the time. Very Spanish.The gay subtext is unmistakable in the scenes between Rio and Esqueda, yet it is fairly subtle. Rio's beautiful horse and its livery, and his attire all summon up images of early cinematic western heroes. Rio looks like the Cisco Kid's dark alter- ego!It is difficult to accept Cameron's faith that Rio is honorable enough not to kill him once he turns his back. This issue really has two aspects: One is the credibility of Cameron's trust; the second is Rio's actual trustworthiness. Today we find it difficult to believe BOTH that Cameron would be so trusting of Rio and that Rio actually would turn out to be trustworthy. Our credulity is again stretched by Cameron's entrusting Rio with his ranch and wife.But Cameron is a newcomer to the territory, and he values Rio's savvy - about horses, ranch hands and probably survival! Cameron tells Rio that he wants him to help acquire horses for the ranch. Later Cameron's wife asks Rio about the sudden abundance of ranch hands which Cameron wasn't able to hire on his own. These things validate Cameron's motive, implausible as it may seem. I just accept that Cameron is pretty desperate and that he is a good judge of character.Regarding Rio: There was a time when a man felt like he owed his life to someone who had saved (or spared) it. Perhaps most men still lived by that code of honor at the time the movie is set. Or perhaps this was preserved longer in Hispanic culture - Rio's culture. Or perhaps Rio is simply a throw-back in his adherence to such a code. Anyway, the issue did not ruin the movie for me.Delia seems particularly naive (or stupid) for getting Rio to take her to plead Cameron's case with Esqueda. Despite these weaknesses, I enjoyed the film. It never really made me feel excitement, but it generated palpable tension among several characters. However, its uniqueness and dialog were what kept me interested throughout. I found Rio to be one of the most fascinating characters in this entire genre. One of my favorite scenes is when Esqueda is kicked back in his chair in the saloon with his filthy, bare feet thrust toward the camera. Nope, not your typical western!

DISCLAIMER: My comments below are all directed at the script, and not at the great actors who give worthwhile performances in this movie.It is hard to figure the motivations of the leading characters. Taylor portrays a dark character who just gets darker and darker, but we don't get any real essence of Rio's motivations. Taylor is great as tight-lipped, sparse-worded Rio, but you constantly want to understand "whats up with this guy?".Keel is fine as a one-dimensional empire builder, but it is so ridiculous when he hires Rio and entrusts his life (and his wife's!) immediately after Rio tries to kill him. I have seen this movie on TV twice, and both times this scene makes me say out loud "uh-uh, no way". If I ever see it in a theater, I will be the guy in the audience talking back to the screen. What's really too bad is that the acting is good in this scene, the set is good, the color photography is good, etc. Gardner is fine as a genteel lady, but it is not believable when she suddenly demands to go see Quinn at his hideout. Maybe OK if she had been teary-eyed and desperate, bravely going forth to save her husband, but no: as presented, her decision seems bland and unbelievable. Not Gardner's fault, just the script and/or director.Quinn does a good job but his character seems to have no motivation at all, other than some sort of nostalgia for his childhood with his momma and Rio.Well-made movie, some suspense, will probably hold your interest. However, the good production values, acting etc cannot overcome the basic oddity of these characters as presented. Some of their actions are truly unexplainable.

I've always felt that Ride Vaquero was one of the weakest of Robert Taylor's westerns. In playing Rio, Taylor certainly essayed one of the darkest characters he ever brought to the screen.It's the end of the Civil War and bandit Anthony Quinn has certainly had his run of things in the area. But the Yankee army will be occupying Texas shortly. Common sense would dictate that Quinn realize the jig is up that he'd better move on. At least his foster brother Taylor thinks so, but Quinn is drunk with power and he ain't going nowhere.Taylor finds some reason to stay when he takes one look at Ava Gardner newly arrived in Brownsville, but with husband Howard Keel. They're settling on a cattle ranch and Keel has some big plans.Most of the story I got, but quite frankly two points of it were ridiculous. Why Keel would even consider hiring Taylor after Taylor tried to burn him out. And secondly why Ava had Taylor take her to Quinn's camp to convince him to leave her and Keel alone. Those two things make absolutely no sense at all.Quinn is repeating the blustering role he had in Viva Zapata. But that film had a lot more depth to it. I think Quinn realized that and blustered all the more.Other reviewers commented on the undertone of a repressed gay crush that Quinn had for Taylor. It certainly might explain Quinn's motivations. But Anthony Quinn dealt with that issue six years later in Warlock, a much better western. It's a bad script with character motivations that make no sense. Still a good cast does the best they can by it.