Released on July 23rd, 1954 Silver Lode is directed by Allan Dwan and written by Karen DeWolf. In this film John Payne plays Dan Ballard, a man who is falsely accused of murder on his wedding day when an old enemy, claiming to be a U.S. Marshall, shows up in town with a warrant for his arrest. Though Dan's friends are initially supportive, they gradually begin to turn on him as he fails time and time again to clear his name, and the evidence against him seems to mount.
Many have commented that the film plays out like an allegory for McCarthyism in the same vein as High Noon. The parallels are certainly striking (the villain is even named McCarty!) and its likely no coincidence that screenwriter Karen DeWolf, an aspiring actress during the silent era who discovered a love for screenwriting, was blacklisted for alleged Communist ties shortly after the release of this film. While this adds some interesting subtext to the film it's also its biggest weakness, as it is rather heavy handed at times and relies too often on convenience to move the plot forward.
Director Allan Dwan, who was 69 when he made this film, got his start when the medium was in its infancy, and is something of an unsung hero of the movie business. He directed many overlooked action/adventure classics throughout his career (including Robin Hood with Dougals Fairbanks) and was known in the industry for his technical innovations. According to some film historians, he invented the dolly shot in 1915. Modern directors like Johnnie To owe a lot to Dwan.
Dwan directs with real vigor here and the film is relentlessly paced. The situation just keeps escalating and escalating, building to a crescendo in the third act where Ballard must fight for his life. It is here that Dwan and Cinematographer John Alton really show what they are capable of. One long tracking shot, following a wounded Ballard as he stumbles through the town searching for shelter, is simply masterful. Sadly the climax, where the villain awkwardly tries to shoot an unarmed Ballard who's standing behind the church bell, instead of simply walking around it to get a better shot, is a bit anti-climatic and the denouement feels a little rushed compared to the rest of the film.
Silver Lode is well cast. John Payne does a good job as the stoic lead as does Lizabeth Scott as his conflicted bride-to-be. Dan Duryea is great as usual in the role of the villain, McCarty, and Dolores Moran shines as the saloon girl with a heart of gold. Emile Meyer, perhaps best known for playing Rufus Ryker in Shane (1953) is also great as Wooley, Silver Lode's sheriff, who is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his duty as an officer of the law. The rest of the cast is filled with familiar faces like Harry Carey Jr., Robert Warwick, Alan Hale Jr., Morris Ankrum and even Stuart Whitman in an early role.
Its somewhat contrived story and weak climax make it come up short of greatness but, all in all, Silver Lode is a really solid western, and is expertly directed by Allan Dwan.
Score: 8/10
No comments:
Post a Comment