Montana (1950)

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

" . . . by the Great Land Barons," Warner Bros.' trailer for MONTANA states. The "them" in this sentence refers to the Patriotic Loyal True Blue Average Union Label Normal Folks (like us) comprising the majority of our USA Citizenry in 1879 (the year of this story), of 1950 (the year of this movie), and Today (the year of 2017). "The Great Land Barons," of course, are the forerunners to Today's Job-Killing Corrupt Capitalist Trumpster Rats. Speaking of rats, now that Putin's Puppet has succeeded in destroying 300 years of American Civilization by eliminating ALL of President Obama's Consumer Safeguards, I was NOT surprised to view AN ACTUAL, REAL LIFE RAT OF THE RODENT FAMILY scuttle across Aisle 12 of the Kroger Store two miles from my home TWICE as I stopped for milk an hour before watching MONTANA, an errand that took double the usual time in fighting through the masses of other terrorized customers milling about. I NEVER saw so much as one single rat inside my local Kroger (or anyplace else I frequent, for that matter) during the ENTIRE EIGHT YEARS that President Obama was America's Leader. However, MONTANA teaches us that when those of the ilk of Billionaire Oligarchs are allowed to run roughshod over "We Little People" and "drown the government in the bathtub" (to use the catch-phrase of Trump's Chief Henchman, Steve Bannon) we can expect authentic rodent rats to be given the run of our Kroger Stores on Day #82 of Putin\Trump's Reign of Terror. Though I tried MONTANA's featured mutton dish once and didn't care for it when Obama was Commander-in-Chief, I'm thankful for Warner's timely warning to beware that Rump of Rat might become Kroger's newest deli meat as soon as a Monkey Business Bozo such as Trump bans all of America's regulations, protections, and safeguards on behalf of Vicious Vacuous Venal Village-Idiot Villains such as himself.

Reminds me a little of the Glenn Ford movie, "The Sheepman". Glenn Ford also brought sheep into bovine territory. I always like that movie and then just discovered this one on TCM this morning. Errol Flynn is one of my favorite actors and this little jewel will be added to my collection. The movies a classic B movie. But Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith was able to pull it off. And to the person who called his sheepdog a mutt: that was a blue merle collie and could very well be my dog's great-great parent. Mac looked exactly like that. We lost him last year to cancer. This makes the movie even more cherished to me. I just purchased it on Amazon!

Years ago, I saw Errol Flynn sing in "Thank Your Lucky Stars". He wasn't particularly good, but the song seemed to fit his limited range and was a pleasant addition to the movie. Little did I know that in addition to this movie, Flynn also sang in "Montana"--again, he wasn't that good, but the song was pleasant and worked because it worked pretty well for a man who was definitely not a singer. While this isn't THE reason to watch this film, for old time film nuts like myself, it sure is an incentive.This is one of several westerns Flynn made for Warner Brothers, though oddly the movie wasn't released for two years after it was completed. The reason doesn't appear to be because it's a bad film, as it's an amiable film--perhaps it had something to do with contract negotiations.For once, Flynn actually plays an Australian! Considering his accent, this made a lot more sense than some of these other films where you assume he's supposed to be a 100% born and bred American! And, like most of his other Warner westerns, this one is shot in glorious color--and it sure looks pretty.The film begins with Flynn and his men moving sheep into Montana--even though cattlemen have promised to kill any sheepmen who enter the territory. And, not surprisingly, soon on of Flynn's men is killed. Instead of an all-out response, Flynn goes undercover into town to scout out the situation. To do so, he joins up with Cuddles Sakall, who is a traveling merchant. In this guise, he soon works his way into Alexis Smith's heart--and she is the owner of one of the biggest cattle outfits. But, when his identity as a sheep lover (don't take that the wrong way, please) is discovered, the blossoming romance is dead. However, considering it IS Errol Flynn, you have an inkling that when all is said and done that they'll be back together.In the meantime, Flynn and his new buddy, Tecumseh (Paul Burns) realize that their beef (so to speak) isn't with ALL the cattle ranchers--just the big outfits that seek to boss everyone around. If the little ranchers and sheep ranchers could work things out, they could all get along...but what about the biggies? Tired of being pushed around, a shaky alliance is forged...but what about the biggies? As for Flynn, he's pretty much the usual Flynn--mostly because the effects of his wild life and alcoholism haven't yet shown. In other words, in this film, he's still rather 'pretty' and the Flynn most have come to enjoy. A decade later, he'd become big and bloated and appeared 25 years older--and he had trouble with his lines and acting because of all the booze. And, for Smith, she's the typical 'tough dame' you'd expect to find in westerns--the anachronistic and petulant lady who, down deep, is a ball of fire. She was good at the role, but it was awfully formulaic. One thing that IS interesting, though, is that there really is no 'big bad boss' in the film--a bad guy who seems to be THE power in the film and THE man who must be broken by the end of the movie. Smith fills in, somewhat, in this role but the film really does lack someone to truly hate. The closest you have is Smith's foreman or Jock, but they aren't quite up to it either.Generally the film was quite good despite being formulaic (thus making it predictable--especially at the silly ending). There was a goofy fight scene between the foreman and Flynn after the foreman murdered someone in front of witnesses. During this fight, no one--not one person--did ANYTHING--they just stood back and watched. Hey folks, the guy just murdered a cattle rancher--don't you think it's time you did SOMETHING other than just stand there and watch?! Overall, despite its script's shortcomings, it's a fun western and well worth seeing--even if it is all rather easy to figure out long before the end.

Errol Flynn, as a sheep-herder? Say it ain't sew! No wonder Flynn drank his way through this turgid Western. I'd be pulling the wool over your eyes by saying Flynn doesn't mail it in. Lots of short scenes with many edits plus obvious studio cuts against outdoor backdrops. Flynn's first film in 1950 but the miles and trials were taking a toll on Errol. His eyes were too bloodshot to shoot some scenes.Nevertheless, the Technicolor cinematography (Calabasas Ranch)is first rate plus production values make up for the drab characters. It's tough to care about anyone except beautiful, flaming redhead, Alexis Smith. I've never seen whiter teeth in my life. Cute little scar on her chin too. Flynn and Smith have some nice scenes plus sing a fun little ditty: Reckon, I'm in love! Seriously, it's not bad! A sheep-herder invades cattle country! If this sounds like a bum steer of a film, you're probably right but it's Flynn in his final decade. He went downhill fast from here but "amoung other things", he still looks good next to Alexis.