The Fighting Kentuckian
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Movie Reviews of The Fighting Kentuckian
Movie Review: Another off-beat role for The DUKE!
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Fighting Kentuckian" is the second movie that The DUKE produced for Republic Pictures. Unfortunately, while the first project, "Angel and the Badman" was a great success, this movie bordered on disaster.In order to be given producing credit, DUKE had to hire the studio boss's girlfriend (Vera Ralston), to star opposite him. He knew she'd be no good for the picture, but DUKE's hands were tied.
One problem with Vera Ralston was that she had a Czech accent. The role she was playing was supposed to be a French woman! In the end, all the French characters had to be cast with Czechs and other Eastern Europeans so Ralston's accent would not stand out. While not embarrassing herself too badly here, Ralston was not a real actress, and it shows.
Oliver Hardy is great as DUKE's sidekick, although he was reluctant to do a project without his partner, Stan Laurel. Hardy had worked in a play with DUKE and John Ford just before filming began on "The Fighting Kentuckian", and DUKE really wanted Hardy in his next project. Hardy only agreed after Laurel, ill at the time, talked him into it.
There's quite a bit that's out of place here. Mixing the Louisiana river traders with French Army ex-patriots is a weird bit of psudo-history, made even more weird by the unlikely addition of the Kentucky Regiment that Wayne and Hardy are part of.
DUKE is still DUKE, and Hardy is fun, but otherwise this overblown costume drama is not very memorable.
The print Artisan used for the DVD transfer is pretty poor, too. For DUKE or Hardy completists, only.
Movie Review: Classic drama of heroes and scoundrels
Summary: 3 Stars
Set in an America between The Revolution and The Civil War, the Fighting Kentuckian tells a story most likely unknown to most Europeans - the colonization of Alabama by French immigrants, many having served as generals and other officers in Napoleon's armies up to the defeat at Waterloo in 1815. John Wayne represents the foot soldier in The Militia as it slogs its way between insurgencies and "in-fighting". Taking to a French general's daughter at the outset of the film, Wayne's character questions the intriguing & thieving land-owners, the theft of another man's land, local power struggles and general dishonesty. At the end of course the good wins over bad, Wayne's character wins the girl and all live happily ever after. If you want entertainment a la Westerns',some French mystique and a feeling of the Classic movie starring Vivien Leigh & Clark Gable...then you have your Saturday night entertainment well in hand.Movie Review: The Fighting Kentuckian
Summary: 3 Stars
This is not one of the Duke's best films but it is entertaining, which, I presume should be a measuring stick for anything titled "entertainment". This isn't a western but should be listed as a pre-western (does this make it an "eastern"?), along with the likes of "Drums Along the Mohawk" or "Unconquered". The casting of Oliver Hardy in one sense is a stretch but it's also brilliant. Vera Ralston is badly miscast. It's this casting of Ralston that led to some compromising of other roles. Her accent is NOT French so the other roles were cast with this in mind. It should be stated that the casting of Vera Ralston was forced upon Wayne by the studio. For the price this isn't a bad deal; I found the quality of the disc to be good. So, enjoy the Duke in a not-so-typical role.Movie Review: Great Movie, Poor Quality
Summary: 3 Stars
This is most likely the best all-around John Wayne movie for any fan of classic movies. While it has that western style that John Wayne is known for, it also is the funniest John Wayne movie I have ever seen as Oliver Hardy is hysterical. The movie is a classic and I am surprised that this is the only copy available on DVD, other than the Two-Movie disc on Amazon. The quality is poor however, as this DVD is not digitally remastered as most Classics have been. Its better than the VHS version but shows the wear and tear of movies that are over 50+ years old. Nevertheless, It is the best version available and a must have for any John Wayne fan.Movie Review: The Duke and Ollie Make a Splendid Team
Summary: 3 Stars
The inspired pairing of John Wayne and comedian Oliver Hardy, along with some memorable action sequences, elevate "The Fighting Kentuckian" (1949) to a higher level than most Republic Westerns. Wayne and Hardy work wonderfully together - it's markedly different from the Laurel and Hardy chemistry, but just as special. The only dead spot is a wooden and miscast Vera Hruba Ralston as Wayne's leading lady. Otherwise, "The Fighting Kentuckian" is solid Republic craftsmanship.