The novel on which this movie was based was published in 1916 and it shows in the white hat, black hat simplicity, cardboard cut-out villains, 'noble' unspoken love, etc. In several areas it foreshadows Shane, arguably Ladd's best role, though each key resemblance is slightly off; Ladd as Shane was enigmatic, an avenging angel symbol, as Whispering Smith he has a background and is even set up for us as something of a legend before he is introduced formally; in Shane, the unspoken, palpable attraction/love between Ladd and Jean Arthur, was new-minted and Arthur was happily married to Van Heflin, Ladd's new-found friend; in WS Ladd and Robert Preston's close friendship goes back several years and Ladd was actually 'courting' Brenda Marshall before she married Preston, with whom she is increasingly unhappy; finally, as Shane, Ladd joined forces with the homesteaders out of a sense of justice whilst as Whispering Smith he is paid to so as an employee of the railroad. This was Ladd's first oater and his first film in colour and film buffs will relish appearances by an uncredited Irving Bacon, Will George - upgraded from house detective in The Blue Dahlia to sheriff here - plus William Demarest, Donald Crisp and so on. Nobody's going to claim it belongs up there with Citizen Kane but it's an enjoyable romp.
Review of Whispering Smith
