The Oklahoma Kid (1939), dir. Lloyd Bacon
On the one hand, this western classic westerns concludes a period of 30s, but it is evident that there were a larger ambition to create a drama with a message. It is interesting historical background - the construction of the town of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a race whose lands are at stake, which will soon rise to civilization. I liked the humor in this film, and some surprising plot twists. Fair is acting - could it be otherwise, since there are in the film James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. There was concern that those actors associated with a criminal movies are not working in a western, but they proved that a good actor can handle at any convention. They could be suspected to be involved in the worst kind, because western in those days there was very good reputation.
Cagney plays a carefree, happy bandit, who sometimes a sing around, and sometimes fighting with the bandits, using this method condemned by the law, so they often fall into conflict. His father is a respected entrepreneur, applying for the position of mayor, so I do not want to have to deal with his son, who is entitled to nothing. Soon, however, argues that the action complies with the provisions do not always pay off, because sometimes the law can not effectively defend against the evil of honest citizens. Great is the scene in which the Oklahoma Kid judge answers the question, why not take part in the race for land. Bogart in the role of surprises thug who wants to gain power in the town, said that the money's all done, so bribed the judge has the gift of persuasion, he can persuade the crowd to ensure that lynched a man, while he does not want to dirty their hands with blood.
director Lloyd Bacon's most successful as a creator of musicals, but the western he just went. There is certainly a masterpiece in its genre, sometimes irritated by the behavior of the main character (its effectiveness and unconvincing vendetta), but hard to find any major flaws. Writer sometimes surprising, and the final duel Cagney and Bogart between is impressive. Director rightly predicted that the Oklahoma Kid, if just to shoot your opponent is going to be very disappointing for the spectators, so opted for a fist fight. Unfortunately, after this fight is even an epilogue, which is bland, bland and unnecessary.
As mentioned above, I liked the humor. Oklahoma Kid casually talking with a guy who hangs arrest warrant with a reward for his head or, for example the scene where the hero does not allow this, that he stopped singing the song - these scenes a lot of talk about the main character and his approach to life. His vocal skills did not impress me, but I remembered that after all, Cagney got the Oscar for his role in the musical "Yankee Doodle Dandy , so it may, however, can sing, but I do not know this. In any case, the songs in this film do not interfere at all, are even justified and used for comedy, not art. Well, there are few.
As you can see in the picture below Bogart and Cagney were more or less the same, a low growth, so they were perfect antagonists, which have an equal chance in a fair duel. John Wayne, who had over 190 cm tall to fit in here completely, and his duel with any of them look ridiculous. As you can see in the picture below was used symbolically in black and white division between good and evil - the villain is dressed in black, and the title character - in white.
As you can see in the picture below Bogart and Cagney were more or less the same, a low growth, so they were perfect antagonists, which have an equal chance in a fair duel. John Wayne, who had over 190 cm tall to fit in here completely, and his duel with any of them look ridiculous. As you can see in the picture below was used symbolically in black and white division between good and evil - the villain is dressed in black, and the title character - in white.
operator James Wong Howe was known as an enemy of excessive lighting. In the film Oklahoma Kid a few night scenes, during which little can be seen, but with the imagination of the viewer should not require that all the details shown. It is important that scenario, in which the four authors worked, gives actors a chance to test themselves in new roles, and is interesting enough that he can catch the attention of the viewer. Film Oklahoma Kid shows what should be a true western - should not only be a fairy tale about cowboys and bandits, but also a historical tale about important moments in U.S. history, about building cities, creating a civilization of a society and units outstanding, making the fight against criminals and corruption, or remaining passive observers.
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