Whispering Smith
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Movie Reviews of Whispering Smith
Movie Review: Good railroad western has a top cast
Summary: 4 Stars
One of Alan Ladd's first starring films is this good detective western as the title character who is a railroad investigator assigned to solve the mystery of a rash of train robberies. Luke "Whispering" Smith meets up with old friend Murray Sinclaire [Robert Preston], a railroad employee whose fine ranch and well-to-do lifestyle are not in accord with his workman's salary. Railroad executive George McCloud [John Eldredge] suspects Sinclaire of wrong-doing but can't prove anything until Sinclaire is caught red-handed looting a wrecked train, and is terminated from the railroad on the spot. Sinclaire is now free to rob and plunder trains as part of a gang led by mastermind Barney Rebstock [Donald Crisp]. With Smith closing in on Sinclaire, the two erstwhile friends square off in a showdown at Sinclaire's ranch in the last reel. There is a romantic triangle of sorts involving Smith, Sinclaire and his wife, Marian. Brenda Marshall has a touching, feminine role as Sinclaire's unhappy wife who was Smith's sweetheart at one time and still carries a torch for him. Ray Rennehan's camera and Adolph Deutsch's music top off a first-rate production.Movie Review: The Fifth Whispering Smith Film
Summary: 4 Stars
The film staring Alan Ladd is the fifth, and the best, based on Spearman's novel of that name. His book was was the best-selling novel of 1906 and remained popular for many years. Holywood could not ignore a great story with such an engaging title and the 1st silent film was made in 1916. Spearman's original character was based on several railroad detectives and the nickname belonged to one...James L. Smith. Regretably, the real detective was nothing like Spearman's fictional character. His actual nature is recounted in my "Whispering Smith: His Life and Misadventures." Spearman's book and the film (DVD) continue
to be popular with viewers and readers although the story is now over one hundred years old.
Movie Review: The Best Alan Ladd Western After Shane
Summary: 4 Stars
By far his next great Western after Shane, Alan Ladd starred in this exciting film about Whispering Smith, a hard-bitten railroad detective know for his grit and tenacity. When his longtime friend Murray is justifiably fired for stealing merchandise from train wrecks, Smith doesn't hesistate to go after his friend when Murray becomes involved with the gang responsbile for the train wrecks. Top-notch performances by Ladd and Robert Preston, who played Murray, plus an excellent script and stellar direction from Leslie Fenton, make this film a classic.Movie Review: Good story, great script, Alan Ladd excellent!
Summary: 4 Stars
Good western scripts are rare. This one is excellent. The acting is very good. Robert Preston delivers his usual complex baddy performance to excellent effect. The character of "Whispering Smith" is tailormade for Alan Ladd. There is great support from all other members of the cast - which means very good direction. The only disappointment is the ending which is something of a let-down.