Man in the Saddle

This formulaic film (hero's girlfriend marries the villain) just didn't move along fast enough given some of the circumstances of the story. Scott seems too old in this one, and too many times his character turns away from decisive action, deflating the scenes. He responds to the deaths of some of his hands weakly; he escapes from Knox's gang by hiding in a full rain barrel; his escape to the high country and pursuit by John Russell seem superfluous, as does much of the film. The plot could have been tightened. High points of the film: seeing "Tennessee" Ernie Ford without a mustache singing "Man in the Saddle"; Alfonso Bedoya's too brief scenes as a cook; the color photography of the high country, and the fight scene there with John Russell.

Man In The Saddle Is Classic In Every Sense Because It Was A Fantastic Formula So Popular During The Fifties When The Star, Not The Film Pulled The Fans Into The Theater. Scott Is Excellent In The Colorful Location Of Lone Pine, California. Detoth Had Come Aboard As Director Since Usual Scott Director Edwin Marin Had Recently Died Of A Heart Attack. Man In The Saddle Is The Action Western No Longer Produced And Sorely Missed By Many, And If It Is Veiwed With An Idea Of The Time it Was Made One can Almost Feel The Excitement Which Filled Theaters No Longer Enjoyed, As In Those Days. I Rate Man In The Saddle 4 Stars Out Of 4. Billy Holcomb

The title is a bit of a misnomer - despite the title song - since little of the action actually takes place on horseback. It's more a tale of intrigue in a western setting enhanced by a good cast (although Alexander Knox is rather wasted as the senior villain; and soon returned to Britain). Cameraman Charles Lawton puts his experience in film noir to good use by creating atmospheric lighting effects indoors and occasionally outdoors in rich Technicolor; while Andre De Toth's creation of compositions and action in depth utilising objects and actors within the frame amply demonstrates why - despite having only the one eye - he was soon afterwards entrusted with the 3D 'House of Wax'.

Joan Leslie loves Randolph Scott but marries wealthy Alexander Knox. The super jealous Knox isn't satisfied having Joan; he also wants Scott dead. So he hires gunmen to kill him. Scott survives the attack and is nursed back to health by Ellen Drew, who's in love with him. Once better he sets out to settle things with Knox and his hired guns. So-so western soaper has a nice cast but doesn't rise above average. Scott's fine, as is most of the cast. Hard to buy sweet Joan Leslie as hard and ambitious. This is one of those westerns where the good guy wears a bright yellow neckerchief and the bad guy wears black gloves. Watchable but forgettable.

I really enjoyed this. Most of Scott's films are pretty similar, however in this one its nice to see him commit to the fight much earlier on than he normally does. Plenty of good action and some well put together characters. Its interesting to me that they made the head bad guy British, it set a different tone, "I don't belong here so I'll force my way'. This miss fitting gave the character strength and weakness. The head henchman was a little lacking, good verbally but not given any great opportunities. The other independent lead henchman was also wasted a little and could have added more. Great film :)