Kirk Douglas Westerns 1960s

Douglas as 60s Western film star: Looking at his 60s films, I think Douglas saw his weakness as a straight cowboy lead - and cast himself in different type roles and quasi-Westerns. "There was a Crooked Man" is really a prison movie, "Lonely are the Brave" is a modern individual vs. the system movie, "War Wagon" is a comedy/caper film set in the West, and "Man from Snowy River" is a growing up story set in Australia. The "Way West" is probably the closest to a straight western. Further, only in "Lonely are the Brave"is Douglas the hero. In "War Wagon" and "Crooked Man" he's amoral and out for himself, in "Way west" he's the egotistical elitist Senator who rides in a carriage, and in "Snowy River" he's the comic relief and the stern businessman.

261. The Way West (1967) - McLaglen. Co-stars Richard Widmark and Robert Mitchum. 122 minutes. Senator William J. Tadlock (Douglas) leads a group of settlers overland in a quest to start a new settlement in the Western US. One of those sprawling, epic, big screen 1960s movies ala "How the West was Won" or "Cheyenne Autumn". Probably the best thing about "Way West" is the scenery and the technicolor photography. The worst thing is a mediocre script full of soap-opera subplots, cliches, and vulgarity. Douglas is wasted playing, "Senator Tadlock" who leads the Wagon train in a carriage, snarls a lot, goes after Widmark's wife, and likes to be whipped. Mitchum and Widmorelooked bored throughout. The direction is ponderous. Note: While filming,Widmark and Douglas fought like wildcats. Widmark resented Douglas' attempts to co-direct the film. Mitchum just went fishing. Summary: Bearable only when seen on a big screen with lots of beer on hand and low expectations.Rating *


263. There Was a Crooked Man. (1970) Mankiewitz. Co-stars Henry Fonda. 126 minutes. Killer Pitman (Douglas) is sent to Arizona territorial prison and begins to manipulate everyone - including idealistic Warden Fonda - to achieve his goal: escape and retrieve his $ 500,000 in loot. More a prison comedy-drama than a Western. Probably 90 percent of the movie is set inside the prison and its quite cynical and full of dry/black humor. Cons: The movie awkwardly lurches between violence, drama, and comedy. Pros: A good script and the pace doesn't flag. Douglas is in his element here as the intelligent, amoral, anti-hero, alternately evil and charming. Fonda does equally well as the seemingly upright, idealistic warden. Hume Cronyn, John Randolph, Warren Oates, lend excellent support. Rating ***

264. The Man from Snowy River (1982) Miller. 104 minutes. An "Australasian Western", Snowy River is a young-man growing of age picture set in the high country of Australia. The leading man, Tom Burlinson is likable and well cast. Douglas was almost 70 during filming and he has a dual supporting role, playing Spur, the good-natured, peg-legged prospector, and his twin brother Harrison who's forceful, wealthy, and mannered. His Spur's a little over-the-top An entertaining film with an excellent lead and some beautiful Australasian scenery. The story is somewhat predictable. Rating **1/2

265. Lonely Are the Brave (1962) - Miller. Written by Dalton Trumbo. Co-stars Walther Matthau. B&W 107 minutes. Based on the Edward Abbey novel about an individualistic cowboy who's out-of-sync with modern society. He gets himself arrested to visit his brother in jail, then escapes and heads for Mexico. Douglas plays the man- on-the run cowboy with great sensitivity. Matthau is the wisecracking Sheriff in pursuit. Through much of the film, its just Douglas, his horse, and the New Mexico scenery. The movie is very enjoyable and kept my interest. Matthau is funny but completely unbelievable as a New Mexico Sheriff. Flaws: Contrived ending, Pointless scenes with Archie Bunker and a truck full of toilets, overly-obvious symbolism. The stupidity of Douglas' character. The guy deliberately gets arrested, escapes after one night, shoots down a Helicopter, assaults policeman and prison guards, and ends up being killed in an auto accident - all because he wanted to visit his brother.Summary: A great 70 minute movie expanded to 107 minutes. But still enjoyable. Rating ***