Dark Command (1940)

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writers:

W.R. Burnett (novel)
Jan Fortune (adaptation)

Release Date:

15 April 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Western

Tagline:

A drama of undying love

Plot:

When transplanted Texan Bob Seton arrives in Lawrence, Kansas he finds much to like about the place...

Plot Keywords:

Male Female Relationship | American Civil War | Deception | Marshal | Outlaw

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

John Wayne	...	Bob Seton
Claire Trevor	...	Miss Mary McCloud
Walter Pidgeon	...	William 'Will' Cantrell
Roy Rogers	...	Fletcher 'Fletch' McCloud
George 'Gabby' Hayes	...	Andrew 'Doc' Grunch (as George Hayes)
Porter Hall	...	Angus McCloud
Marjorie Main	...	Mrs. Cantrell, aka Mrs. Adams
Raymond Walburn	...	Judge Buckner
Joe Sawyer	...	Bushropp (guerrilla) (as Joseph Sawyer)
Helen MacKellar	...	Mrs. Hale
J. Farrell MacDonald	...	Dave (gunrunner)
Trevor Bardette	...	Mr. Hale (shot by Fletch)

Runtime:

94 min | UK:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA High Fidelity Recording)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) | Germany:16 | USA:Approved (PCA #5985) (original rating) | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Placerita Ranch - 24715 Oak Creek Avenue, Newhall, California, USA

Company:

Republic Pictures (I)

Trivia:

The only film from Republic Pictures to receive Academy Award nominations (for Best Art Direction and Best Original Score).

Quotes:

Andrew 'Doc' Grunch: You knock 'em loose and I'll pull 'em out. Maybe, I'm just saying maybe, you know; if you was more promiscuous with your punching, we might make a little more money.
Bob 'Shortcut' Seton: What do you mean - promiscuous?
Andrew 'Doc' Grunch: Well, ah, you got strange ideas about justice. You don't want to hit nobody unless they deserve it. Now, that's all right, but we're in business. And business is different!

Movie Connections:

Edited into Law of the Golden West (1949)

Soundtrack:

Ring, Ring De Banjo

Fascinating Wild West Moral Fable

Although 'Dark Command' reads like a 'Who's Who' of Westerns (John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gubby Hayes, Clare Trevor etc), the real 'star' is its writer - William Riley (WR) Burnett.

He created a vivid moral fable of the wild west - William Cantrell (Pidgeon)gives up the role of good School teacher to become a ruthless bushwacker and gunrunner. In the opposite corner is the illiterate Bob Seton (Wayne) who keeps the Faith and becomes town marshall. Both want to achieve things and get the same girl before the Civil War strikes(Trevor)

Seton stands up for right even if it means losing friends and the girl, whilst Cantrell will stop at nothing to make a difference and as his Mother (Main) remarks "the Devil is walking with you". The title of the movie must say it all for W R Burnett.

The picture is not only gripping but hilarious and good hearted in parts. Gubby Hayes is superb as Seton's Dentist/Barber/Butcher and is responsible for most of the humour and keeps your interest when the film starts to fade.

For Western fans, 'Dark Command' is a must - to see Wayne, Rogers, Hayes & Trevor together should not be missed. But general moviegoers should try and catch it if they can - to see the work of the man who (amongst others) penned 'Little Caesar', 'High Sierra', 'The Alsphalt Jungle' and of course 'The Great Escape' (all great titles!)and frankly any movie that has the line "Jumping Catfish - I can give up Barbering!" has got to be worth a looksee.