(1955)
3
Craig Butler
A sturdy, rambunctious, thoroughly enjoyable Western, The Tall Men doesn't break any new ground with its screenplay, but it's put together so professionally that most viewers, especially fans of the "oater," won't mind the lack of originality in the text. This is one of those fine pictures which makes a small virtue of predictability; up until the very end, that is, when things don't turn out exactly the way they're expected to, and that little surprise has all the more impact for being unexpected. But Tall really exists as a way for some fine actors, plus one statuesque Amazon, to show off their stuff and for director Raoul Walsh and cinematographer Leo Tover to work some CinemaScope magic. The Amazon in question is, of course, Jane Russell, and there probably never was a woman who seems physically more at home in the Wild West. Russell was never what you would call a stupendous actress, but she has a special quality which is well used in Tall. Turning in a strong performance is Clark Gable, also quite at home in the surroundings and providing all the he-man qualities one might desire. Robert Ryan is quite good as the rich man with a few tricks up his sleeve, and Cameron Mitchell likewise terrific as Gable's brother. Walsh' s direction is muscular but polished, and the photography is simply excellent.
releases for The Tall Men on AllMovie
The Tall Men (1955)
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The Tall Men
Cinema Club
More
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August 28, 2006 |
