The Fighting Kentuckian
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Movie Reviews of The Fighting Kentuckian
Movie Review: Great early movie
Summary: 5 Stars
One of John Wayne's better early movies where the film isn't too grainy. Has some quality comedic scenes in here with his sidekick being the big guy from Laurel and Hardy. One of the "here come the calvary" endings you'll find.Not as good the Sons of Katie Elder, El Dorado but a lot better than True Grit and his older movies. Definitely a good one to have.
Movie Review: dvd review
Summary: 5 Stars
Great dvd. One of John Waynes best. Received in super condition and with fast delivery.Movie Review: John Wayne meets Oliver Hardy
Summary: 4 Stars
For the first and only time, John Wayne appeared in a film with Oliver Hardy of Laurel and Hardy fame, in the 1949 Republic production "The Fighting Kentuckian." Laurel and Hardy had actually made their final American film, "The Bullfighters," and were "at liberty." By this time the comic team was frequently touring Europe and making live stage appearances, where they presented some new comic routines that were, unfortunately, never filmed. They would eventually make one more film, in France: "Utopia," also known as "Atoll K."
John Wayne had a long-term contract with Republic pictures and, despite Wayne's increasing creative freedom, studio boss Herbert Yates insisted that Wayne use Vera Hruba Ralston in this historical comedy/drama. Ralston had been a Czech ice skater who had fled her homeland when the Nazis came to power; she was beautiful and charming, as the film shows, and Yates fell in love with her, eventually marrying her. Yates also insisted in putting Ralston in several of John Wayne's films at Republic. Unfortunately, Ralston had a heavy accent. This wasn't such a problem in this film because she was playing a member of the French aristocracy who was living with her countrymen in the southern United States in the early nineteenth century. They had fled France following the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.
The film has many of the classic elements of John Wayne's action films and is generally delightful. There are some memorable battle sequences and Wayne's heroic efforts to help the relocated French in dealing with treacherous enemies. But the real bonus of this film is watching the great Oliver Hardy, who works so well as John Wayne's sidekick.
Loyal fans of both John Wayne and Oliver Hardy have often enjoyed this film and those who haven't seen it will want to see the rare teaming of Wayne and Hardy in a very enjoyable film.
Movie Review: A Romantic "Eastern", not Western
Summary: 4 Stars
John Wayne is well known for his westerns. The setting of this 1949 flick is Alabama, involving men who came from Kentucky. So this is technically an "eastern". The scenes are apt for the early 1800's: Soldiers are still using flintlocks, Alabama is about to be admitted to the Union as a state, and there is a large group of French citizens exiled after Napoleon's ignominious defeats.
John Breen (John Wayne) falls in love with a French woman. Trouble is, she is already earmarked for an arranged marriage to another man. A love triangle develops. Breen is determined to marry her. But he adds to the problems by pretending that he is a surveyor. He also finds out that there is a scheme afoot to defraud the French of some of their property by moving the posts that define the boundaries of the property.
This flick is more than a love story. It pushes the American way over the then-European way. The American way is progressive and the European way is traditional. In the American way, women marry whomever they love and whomever they choose to marry. In the then-European way, women married according to arranged marriages. These were usually based on social class, the wealth of the suitor, and the professional connections of the suitor with the father of the bride. The bride's wishes counted for little.
Movie Review: A very enjoyable and intelligent film
Summary: 4 Stars
[VHS]
Colorization really takes this 1949 semi-Classic up a notch. The cinematography, costuming, and general period detail are really enhanced by this process.
The respect and easy rapport between John Wayne, Oliver Hardy, and Vera Ralston, is obvious, as they all seem to be having a great time, in this interesting mix of soap opera and action.
A strong script, tight direction, and expert editing, really sell it. I found the historical references fascinating - actually learned a few things about how the "East Was Won".
A very engaging aspect is in the teaming of Duke and Ollie, two legendary icons, without a doubt: Wayne, the ultimate two fisted hero; Hardy, a member of the greatest comedy duo. They both do their thing - in fact, we get the sense that Hardy was encouraged to ad-lib, a rarity even in slapstick comedies! At age 57, and quite corpulent, he still moves gracefully, running, pratfalling, keeping up with the "kids".
Final battle on horses is a little long but very well shot - one of the most exciting you'll ever see - maybe *too* realistic, as I wondfder if some of the actors/stunt riders actually got hurt.
Recommended!