This is pretty much your typical early 1950s western. It really would have benefited with someone like Randolph Scott or Joel McRea in the leading role. Van Johnson was known for musical comedies, not Westerns. He was not rugged or convincing enough in the role of the Confederate spy from Georgia. Co-star Richard Boone would have been better, but this movie preceded the anti-hero era, and Boone was still playing bad guys at this point of his career. He would not begin 'Have Gun Will Travel' until 1957.
I agree that Milburn Stone stole every scene he was in and provided some nice comedic relief. As a matter of fact, I have no problem with any of the cast except for Johnson, who looked more comfortable banging on the piano and singing Tapioca then he did riding, shooting, or fighting.
Hollywood Westerns were famous for their historic inaccuracy, especially when it comes to the Civil War and weapons. From the comments about the South in retreat, and Grant pushing Lee back, I take the film was supposed to have been around 1865. During the Civil War, both sides were using single-shot black powder rifles and cap and ball pistols, but Hollywood always had them shooting Colt 45s and Winchester repeater rifles. That made me wonder if the Gatlin Gun was even invented during the Civil War. This led me to the internet, where I confirmed "...Invented by Richard Gatling, it is known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat." So, it looks like they finally got something right, but the movie indicated it hadn't been used in combat yet, and the war was already ending.
All in all, this is a nice diversion for 50s western fans (like myself) if you can get past Van Johnson's miscast role.
I agree that Milburn Stone stole every scene he was in and provided some nice comedic relief. As a matter of fact, I have no problem with any of the cast except for Johnson, who looked more comfortable banging on the piano and singing Tapioca then he did riding, shooting, or fighting.
Hollywood Westerns were famous for their historic inaccuracy, especially when it comes to the Civil War and weapons. From the comments about the South in retreat, and Grant pushing Lee back, I take the film was supposed to have been around 1865. During the Civil War, both sides were using single-shot black powder rifles and cap and ball pistols, but Hollywood always had them shooting Colt 45s and Winchester repeater rifles. That made me wonder if the Gatlin Gun was even invented during the Civil War. This led me to the internet, where I confirmed "...Invented by Richard Gatling, it is known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat." So, it looks like they finally got something right, but the movie indicated it hadn't been used in combat yet, and the war was already ending.
All in all, this is a nice diversion for 50s western fans (like myself) if you can get past Van Johnson's miscast role.