Reviews (19)

Hot-head Taylor Pushes Women Onward
Robert Taylor is the no-nonsense wagonmaster of a big ole group of women who have signed on to be the mail-order brides of a bunch of bachelor frontiersmen in California. An interesting assortment of women, some widows and some prostitutes as well as other women who for whatever reason have no prospects back east. Not so keen on Taylor, though, as to me he always seems like he's acting--I don't find him believable or immersed in his role. This movie could've been a lot better if someone else were in this role. Lots of drama for the women, as they must put up with Indian fights, deserting menfolk, floods, thirst and hunger, deaths, births, and having to move their wagons up and down harsh terrain by their own (wo)manpower. Some reviewers find it a good feminist movie, but I take exception to Taylor's rough treatment of his reformed prostitute love interest as anti-woman.

A True-to-life Adventure
"Westward the Women" is the story of a group of women who have been recruited as wives for a settlement of men in a California valley. Their hopes and dreams, hardships and struggles, laughter and tears are all a part of their trek to the west. Soon after leaving for California, nearly all of the men who signed on to work with the wagon train left during the night. The train boss (Robert Taylor) decided that he would "make men out of the women" so they could be tough enough to make it on their own. This film gives you a feeling of actually being there. It is a true-to-life adventure--one that you will want to come back to and relive.

Next time, take the train
An all-girl wagon train? That's the idea, and somebody must have caught the great director William Wellman in a genial mood when he agreed to direct this. It's a measure of his tremendous talent that Wellman actually made something enjoyable out of an utterly absurd script. A motley assemblage of mail-order brides heading to California are abandoned by their hired male teamsters thanks to trail boss Robert Taylor's poor people skills. Instead of high-tailing it back to St. Joe the fiances push on by themselves, with mixed results. Several dozen make it across, however, and face the far greater perils of marrying complete strangers. Taylor, one of Hollywood's most under-rated talents, is absolutely great, and the large female ensemble acquit themselves very well. As usual with a Wellman picture, phenomenal photography.

Not the usual journey West for Robert Taylor.
This film depicts a classic westward journey. Not the usual family voyage, but single women yearning for home and family in a California valley. Their journey begins with the women, the train boss (Robert Taylor), and the men whose work it is to help get the wagon train and the women to their destination. One night, however, all but 4 of the men desert the train. The next morning, the boss decides to "make men out of the women", so they can complete the trip. The struggles, heartaches, and accomplishments of these women are lived out in their quest. The realism of this story is compelling. You, the viewer, will want to revisit this movie often and share it with your family and friends who admire bravery and strength when it shows up in ordinary people.

My wish
I would like to see this movie in DVD format. I recently saw a colorized version and wonder if it is available. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Hot-head Taylor Pushes Women Onward
Robert Taylor is the no-nonsense wagonmaster of a big ole group of women who have signed on to be the mail-order brides of a bunch of bachelor frontiersmen in California. An interesting assortment of women, some widows and some prostitutes as well as other women who for whatever reason have no prospects back east. Not so keen on Taylor, though, as to me he always seems like he's acting--I don't find him believable or immersed in his role. This movie could've been a lot better if someone else were in this role. Lots of drama for the women, as they must put up with Indian fights, deserting menfolk, floods, thirst and hunger, deaths, births, and having to move their wagons up and down harsh terrain by their own (wo)manpower. Some reviewers find it a good feminist movie, but I take exception to Taylor's rough treatment of his reformed prostitute love interest as anti-woman.

A True-to-life Adventure
"Westward the Women" is the story of a group of women who have been recruited as wives for a settlement of men in a California valley. Their hopes and dreams, hardships and struggles, laughter and tears are all a part of their trek to the west. Soon after leaving for California, nearly all of the men who signed on to work with the wagon train left during the night. The train boss (Robert Taylor) decided that he would "make men out of the women" so they could be tough enough to make it on their own. This film gives you a feeling of actually being there. It is a true-to-life adventure--one that you will want to come back to and relive.

Next time, take the train
An all-girl wagon train? That's the idea, and somebody must have caught the great director William Wellman in a genial mood when he agreed to direct this. It's a measure of his tremendous talent that Wellman actually made something enjoyable out of an utterly absurd script. A motley assemblage of mail-order brides heading to California are abandoned by their hired male teamsters thanks to trail boss Robert Taylor's poor people skills. Instead of high-tailing it back to St. Joe the fiances push on by themselves, with mixed results. Several dozen make it across, however, and face the far greater perils of marrying complete strangers. Taylor, one of Hollywood's most under-rated talents, is absolutely great, and the large female ensemble acquit themselves very well. As usual with a Wellman picture, phenomenal photography.

Not the usual journey West for Robert Taylor.
This film depicts a classic westward journey. Not the usual family voyage, but single women yearning for home and family in a California valley. Their journey begins with the women, the train boss (Robert Taylor), and the men whose work it is to help get the wagon train and the women to their destination. One night, however, all but 4 of the men desert the train. The next morning, the boss decides to "make men out of the women", so they can complete the trip. The struggles, heartaches, and accomplishments of these women are lived out in their quest. The realism of this story is compelling. You, the viewer, will want to revisit this movie often and share it with your family and friends who admire bravery and strength when it shows up in ordinary people.

My wish
I would like to see this movie in DVD format. I recently saw a colorized version and wonder if it is available. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Original Rocketeer
Republic loved to have kings in its movies (Roy Rogers, the king of the cowboys) and serials (King of the Texas Rangers, King of the Forest Rangers, King of the Rocket Men), usually because the serial hero has that last name (as with Rocket Men, Jeff King). Maybe it started when the studio did the serial version of "King of the Royal Mounted." The studio used the same excellent flying effects by the Lydecker brothers that had been used in its earlier "Captain Marvel" serial. Rocket Man's flying suit and jet pack proved such an enduring image that Republic used it again in two unrelated serials ("Radar Men from the Moon" and "Flying Disc Man from Mars," each featuring a different actor and character, not to mention a short-lived "Commando Cody" TV series) -- so much so that the relatively-recent "Rocketeer" movie did it for a new generation. But the original is still the most fun.

The original Rocketeer is a blast for serial fans
Tristram Coffin (in an unusual heroic role) dons a cutting-edge flying suit to become crime-busting Rocket Man. Whenever the power-hungry criminal strikes, the ubiquitous Rocket Man is there. (There's really only ONE Rocket Man in this 1949 serial; his surname happens to be King.) The action is impressively staged: when Rocket Man soars across the skies and leaps into a moving truck, for example, the effect is dazzling. The serial plays like a live-action comic book, and this is one cliffhanger in which the villain actually succeeds in carrying out his master plan (find out for yourself how much he gets away with!). Action fans will get a big kick out of this.

Excellent!
It cost me 19.95 and it was worth it! A uprising plot, great fight scences and oh-yeah Rocketman!Awesome special effects too, Would reccomend to complete strangers on a street corner! And unlike many serials it is not all that long, only about 2 1/2 hours and I can watch it in one afternoon again.. and again.. and again... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Solid, action-filled Republic B-western!
Although Allan "Rocky" Lane's Red Ryder is usually considered inferior to Bill Elliot's portrayal, I actually prefer him. He not only looks the part better, but his presence perfectly fits the comic book cowpoke.

STAGECOACH is one of the best Ryder films. It has a good, workable plot; it moves remarkably fast; the spunky cowgirl and little kid are great; and Roy Barcroft is an even slimier villian than usual.

Saddle up? You betchum! AL ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Monium?
The Three Mesquiteers tangle with secret agents in a race to keep the villains from smuggling deadly monium gas to foreign governments. If nothing else, the Three Mesquiteers series "modernized" the Western. This movie begins with a blazing WWI battle scene depicting European armies pounding each other. Historical details are vague. Maybe it's some other European conflict. Anyway, the 3M encounter a '30s Emma Peel-type secret agent at a dude ranch. She is woking for the U. S. Secret Service. Depicting a strong, independent woman is another positive innovation of this little picture. Republic Studios was excellent at producing fast moving B Westerns that stressed outdoor action. Intrusive musical numbers were thankfully absent in the 3M series. Lullaby (Max Terhune) provides ventriloquist comic relief via Elmer, the dummy. Stony (John Wayne), Tucson (Ray Corrigan), and Lullaby are a three man army that stand off the bad guys until the Border Division of the 81st Cavalry arrives. This could be the only sighting of WWI era cavalry in a B Western. Before he became a major star, John Wayne was a familiar face in B Westerns. The VHS edition of this flick is recorded in the EP mode. This is great Saturday matinee fun. Today's high-tech youth may be a little puzzled at first, but cowboys and blazing six-guns can interest even the most plugged-in kids around. Saddle up and ride, pardner. ;-) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Solid, action-filled Republic B-western!
Although Allan "Rocky" Lane's Red Ryder is usually considered inferior to Bill Elliot's portrayal, I actually prefer him. He not only looks the part better, but his presence perfectly fits the comic book cowpoke.

STAGECOACH is one of the best Ryder films. It has a good, workable plot; it moves remarkably fast; the spunky cowgirl and little kid are great; and Roy Barcroft is an even slimier villian than usual.

Saddle up? You betchum! AL ... Read more