Saddle Tramp (1950)

Powerful

best movie i've ever seen.

Blistering performances.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This Joel McCrea Western covers all the bases for a nice, family friendly film, as long as the youngsters watching aren't old enough to pick up on the innuendo provided by teenager Della's (Wanda Hendrix) admiring eyes for Chuck Conner (McCrea), or the insinuation that August Hartnagle (Ed Begley) is a lecherous uncle. I didn't feel so bad when he stepped in the bear trap, but that was an 'ouch' moment if ever I saw one in a picture.Although the story stretches credibility on the part of Conner's 'adoption' of four pre-teen boys when their father is accidentally killed, it plays out satisfactorily within your standard range feud between cattlemen blaming each other for their herds getting rustled. Humor in the story is provided by Jess Higgins (John McIntire) and his wife (Jeanette Nolan) amiably arguing over her Irish background and belief in 'little people' affecting the outcome of various incidents on their ranch once Conner arrives. Then there's the crusty old 'Pop' portrayed by Russell Simpson, who always seems to be where Conner is going to offer head scratching but friendly advice.It comes as no surprise that the foremen of both Higgins and neighboring rancher Martinez (Antonio Moreno) turn out to be in cahoots with one another over the stolen cattle business. Conner had it all figured out when he stated - "Get two dogs to fightin', it's easy to steal their bones". The baddies here turned out to be henchman Springer (Peter Leeds), and Higgins foreman Rocky, portrayed by John Russell, who would become one of my favorite TV good guys growing up, Marshal Dan Troop of 'Lawman'.I can't say I was all that surprised by the way the story ended, since it was telegraphed pretty much all the way with 'Uncle' Chuck caring for the four orphaned youngsters. But when he called himself Della's husband in the closing scene, and considering the age disparity between the two, it brought to mind the picture's most frequently used catch phrase - 'Creepin' creepers'!

A vagabond cowboy suddenly finds himself taking care of four orphaned boys. The Technicolor cinematography is pleasing and the film is entertaining enough, but is letdown by the routine script that contains a fair amount of corn. McCrea displays his usual easy-going charm in the title role. Hendrix is a runaway teenager who also ends up with the orphaned boys. Although they are not shown getting intimate, it is somewhat creepy seeing McCrea getting romantically involved with Hendrix, who was half his age at the time of the film. The good supporting cast features McIntyre as a grumpy rancher and Nolan as his understanding wife.

Joel McCrea, who likes life free, easy, and independent in Saddle Tramp, on an impulse visit to friend John Ridgely finds himself taking responsibility for his four boys when Ridgely is killed in an accident.That in a nutshell is the film Saddle Tramp. But it's far more than that, it's what is meant when a film is said to be family entertainment. It's one of Joel McCrea's better westerns in his post World War II period.The change of lifestyle doesn't come without problems for McCrea. Now he has to get some real work in order to take Ridgely's small ranch out of debt and put food on the table for five. During the course of the film it's six as runaway Wanda Hendrix joins the merry band as she's looking to escape from Uncle Ed Begley.McCrea also finds work for John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan and gets himself in the middle of a range war between McIntire and neighbor Antonio Moreno. Cattle is being stolen from both ranches and the two neighbors are blaming each other. The film gives you two possibilities as the brains behind the stealing.Best supporting performance is that of McIntire as the irascible ranch owner who doesn't like children and won't hire anyone with them. That fact is the reason for all the machinations McCrea has to go through.Saddle Tramp is a nice easy to take western and great for a Saturday morning viewing.

An excellent Western. Joel McCrea delivers a fine performance as is usual for this gifted actor. The story moves well, and the supporting cast does a fine job. If you haven't seen it, and love Westerns, by all means don't let this one slide by.