1940 was a pretty good year for Randolph Scott as he was given meaty roles in two big budget Westerns: Virginia City and Western Union. It is debatable as to which performance is superior (both are among his finest) but Western Union affords him the unique opportunity to portray a doomed outlaw who cannot escape his past. The film itself is entertaining albeit formulaic while boasting spectacular color photography and a stellar cast including Robert Young, Dean Jagger, and John Carradine.
The narrative weaves two tales together: the endeavor to lay the initial telegraph wire across hostile territory and the story of Vance Shaw (Scott), an outlaw attempting to go straight. He first rescues Western Union surveyor Edward Creighton from certain death in the wilderness and is rewarded by being offered a job with the company. As they string poles from Omaha to Salt Lake City the workers are beleaguered by Jack Slade (Barton MacLane) and his bandits who have a connection to Shaw. How they are linked precipitates the drama that unfolds and Shaw's loyalties are put to the test.
Directed by Fritz Lang the film is brilliantly lensed In Technicolor and boasts the requisite amount of both action and drama; all of which is prodded along by an energetic musical score. The movie is not without its drawbacks: it periodically bogs down with the slapstick comedy of Slim Summerville as the overwhelmed cook and the stock romantic triangle of Scott, Young, and Virginia Gilmore. Watchdogs of political correctness will no doubt take issue with the way the Native Americans are portrayed and there are some painfully poor rear projection shots. However, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Despite taking second billing to Robert Young this is Randolph Scott's film all the way. He is clearly the main character and every major development in the story hinges on his actions. Scott is brilliant in subtly conveying the tragedy of Vance Shaw and expertly demonstrates the mental struggle he endures while torn between his new life and his old outlaw ways. He even wins the heart of Miss Gilmore although he knows they can never be together. Ultimately a heartbreaking performance and easily one of Scott's best.
Robert Young is wasted as the tenderfoot surveyor who takes a backseat to Scott in all their scenes. He is eclipsed in screen time and importance not only by Scott but also Dean Jagger as the boss of the Western Union outfit. It is difficult to reconcile the youthful Jagger with the bald, useless drunk he played 15 years later in Bad Day at Black Rock but that should speak to his adeptness as a performer. He is both dynamic and commanding here. Beautiful Virginia Gilmore is delightful as his sister Sue and enlivens a role that could easily have been forgettable; it is a shame Miss Gilmore's career never amounted to much. As the villain of the piece Barton MacLane delivers his trademark nastiness while reliable John Carradine is a breath of fresh air in his limited opportunities as the company doctor. The rest of the cast is peppered with many familiar faces including a very young Chill Wills.
Breezing through at a rapid 95 minutes Western Union is certainly an entertaining, eventful film that is a must for fans of Randolph Scott. It is wonderful to see him surrounded by top production values, a distinguished cast, famous director, and given a terrific character to play. For an actor who epitomized the Western hero it is a treat to witness his particular skill set on display to such advantage.
The narrative weaves two tales together: the endeavor to lay the initial telegraph wire across hostile territory and the story of Vance Shaw (Scott), an outlaw attempting to go straight. He first rescues Western Union surveyor Edward Creighton from certain death in the wilderness and is rewarded by being offered a job with the company. As they string poles from Omaha to Salt Lake City the workers are beleaguered by Jack Slade (Barton MacLane) and his bandits who have a connection to Shaw. How they are linked precipitates the drama that unfolds and Shaw's loyalties are put to the test.
Directed by Fritz Lang the film is brilliantly lensed In Technicolor and boasts the requisite amount of both action and drama; all of which is prodded along by an energetic musical score. The movie is not without its drawbacks: it periodically bogs down with the slapstick comedy of Slim Summerville as the overwhelmed cook and the stock romantic triangle of Scott, Young, and Virginia Gilmore. Watchdogs of political correctness will no doubt take issue with the way the Native Americans are portrayed and there are some painfully poor rear projection shots. However, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Despite taking second billing to Robert Young this is Randolph Scott's film all the way. He is clearly the main character and every major development in the story hinges on his actions. Scott is brilliant in subtly conveying the tragedy of Vance Shaw and expertly demonstrates the mental struggle he endures while torn between his new life and his old outlaw ways. He even wins the heart of Miss Gilmore although he knows they can never be together. Ultimately a heartbreaking performance and easily one of Scott's best.
Robert Young is wasted as the tenderfoot surveyor who takes a backseat to Scott in all their scenes. He is eclipsed in screen time and importance not only by Scott but also Dean Jagger as the boss of the Western Union outfit. It is difficult to reconcile the youthful Jagger with the bald, useless drunk he played 15 years later in Bad Day at Black Rock but that should speak to his adeptness as a performer. He is both dynamic and commanding here. Beautiful Virginia Gilmore is delightful as his sister Sue and enlivens a role that could easily have been forgettable; it is a shame Miss Gilmore's career never amounted to much. As the villain of the piece Barton MacLane delivers his trademark nastiness while reliable John Carradine is a breath of fresh air in his limited opportunities as the company doctor. The rest of the cast is peppered with many familiar faces including a very young Chill Wills.
Breezing through at a rapid 95 minutes Western Union is certainly an entertaining, eventful film that is a must for fans of Randolph Scott. It is wonderful to see him surrounded by top production values, a distinguished cast, famous director, and given a terrific character to play. For an actor who epitomized the Western hero it is a treat to witness his particular skill set on display to such advantage.