Western Classics - The Tall T (1957)

The Western Classics DVD issue of The Tall T marks the first time this Randolph Scott classic has been available on the digital disc. Made in 1957 and directed by Budd Boetticher,  co-stars Richard Boone, Maureen O'Sullivan and Henry Silva and was based on the Elmore Leonard short story, The Captives.  

The previous western from the star and director, Seven Men from Now was such a success that  star Randolph Scott, writer Burt Kennedy and director Budd Boetticher immediately set out to make another western . The previous movie had been produced by John Wayne's Batjac company,but scott wanted to produce through his own company at Columbia, Scott-Brown Productions. Writer Burt Kennedy adapted an Elmore Leonard's story The Captives for the project. Budd Boetticher would again direct Scott on a low budget and a short, three-week shooting schedule.

The result The Tall T was a typical Boetticher western, with a stark story presented against a wonderfully photographed western landscape. The director was a keen bull fighter and it's been suggested that he structured his movies in the style of a bullfight - check out this insightful essay by Jeremy Arnold HERE,

 Producer: Harry Joe Brown
Director: Budd Boetticher
Screenplay: Burt Kennedy (screenplay); Elmore Leonard (story)
Cinematography: Charles Lawton, Jr.
Art Direction: George Brooks
Music: Heinz Roemheld
Film Editing: Al Clark
Cast: Randolph Scott (Pat Brennan), Richard Boone (Frank Usher), Maureen O'Sullivan (Doretta Mims), Arthur Hunnicutt (Ed Rintoon), Skip Homeier (Billy Jack), Henry Silva (Chink), John Hubbard (Willard Mims), Robert Burton (Tenvoorde), Fred E. Sherman (Hank Parker), Chris Olsen (Jeff).
C-78m. Letterboxed.
 

Top Ten Western Actors - afterword

It seems my list has stirred up some controversy, particularly the omission of Randolph Scott, but as I pointed out I wanted to include actors from all stages of the western's development and so many greats were left off. Not only Scott, but Burt Lancaster, Gregory Peck, Lee Marvin, Robert Mitchum, Joel McCrea and many others. But any list is subjective and if it provokes discussion then it's done it's job. Now my feelings on Scott are that he was brilliant and that he made some mighty fine pictures but there were also countless mediocre B- westerns, but then the same charge can be made against John Wayne.

The western was good to Scott but it also swallowed him up and unlike other western icons he rarely worked in other genres. In fact to those who don't like westerns his fame rests on his alleged sexual affair with Cary Grant. Though he is a true western icon - reflected in the fact that in the movie Blazing Saddles the sheriff turns to the townsfolk who have refused to help and pleads, "You'd do it for Randolph Scott."

Growing up in the UK Scott's westerns were shown regularly on TV but only the more run of the mill ones and so perhaps this is why he failed to make such an impression on me as other western actors. Though the westerns he made with director, Budd Boetticher are certainly among the best the genre can offer as are many of his other pictures -Western Union with Fritz Lang for one. And Scott was exceptional in Peckinpah's Ride The High Country. Scott actually made 35 westerns between 1940 and 1955 so I guess it's no surprise that so many of them were routine.

So why is he not my top ten? Well simply because I couldn't include everyone

RAGE AT DAWN 1955

An enjoyable enough B-western that is saved by a quality cast including Randolph Scott in the title role. It's also surprisingly violent with several brutal gunfights, a lynching and a man cremated alive.

The film uses the true story of The Reno Brothers, America's first outlaws as a backdrop but the events here with Scott as a agent who infiltrates the gang is pure fantasy.

The film is in the public domain and is available on the net for free download - alternatively there is a Region 0 DVD release but the remastering is crude and the picture often contains digital artefacts.

Western fans will enjoy this all action undemanding oater and at the price it is a worthy addition to the DVD library. And given that minor movies like these are unlikely to ever receive quality digital restoration then the current issue will at least suffice.