NR | 1h 34m | Western | 1956
Westerns that focus on mysterious men who come to new frontier towns have always been intriguing. This narrative setup is ideal for gradually peeling back the layers of the enigmatic protagonists, drawing the audience in.
“The Proud Ones” (1956) undeniably deserves a place among these top-shelf genre pieces. Directed by Robert D. Webb, it boasts a strong ensemble cast.
The cinematography captures the rugged beauty of the frontier, and the intense, dramatic moments that define the genre. Webb’s direction ensures that every scene contributes to the building tension and character development.
Robert Ryan stars as Cass Silver, a lawman who was reportedly driven out of Keystone after being accused of treachery. Now, Cass leads a large cattle drive to the boomtown of Flat Rock, Kansas. Cass soon becomes the marshal of Flat Rock.
Under Cass’s watch, Flat Rock has enjoyed relative peace. He is newly engaged to Sally (Virginia Mayo), a former saloon girl, who now runs a large boarding house and restaurant. The arrival of the cattle drive sets the stage for a confrontation that could shatter the fragile tranquility of the town.
Flat Rock’s recent boomtown status has attracted all sorts. Cass soon discovers that a major gambling hall is being established in town, which by itself, typically spells trouble. He learns that the man behind the operation is the ironically sinister Honest John Barrett (Robert Middleton). It reopens old wounds for Cass and ups the level of danger.
Barrett has brought a veritable army of gunslingers with him to Flat Rock, while Cass can only count on a couple of deputies: the seasoned veteran Jake (Walter Brennan) and the jittery Jim Dexter (Arthur O’Connell), and Thad Anderson (Jeffrey Hunter).
As the film progresses, viewers will uncover the intricate relationships among these characters and witness simmering grudges that eventually erupt into intense confrontations. Fortunately, the film provides ample room for nuanced performances from both its lead and supporting actors. Adding to the complexity, the events portrayed in the storyline are anything but clear-cut, suggesting a tangled web of rumors and deceitful narratives.
Vengeful Deputy
Hunter, known for his good looks and acting skills, delivers a convincing performance as the spirited cowboy Thad Anderson. His character’s quest for revenge against Cass is complicated by the lawman’s unexpected displays of kindness.Although Thad starts off brash and antagonistic toward Cass, his attitude shifts as he discovers that some of the information he was initially told may have been misleading.
Interestingly, this role came nearly a decade before Hunter took a career gamble and portrayed Captain Christopher Pike in the Star Trek TV pilot (a role he ultimately chose not to continue). He tragically passed away in 1969 at the young age of 42, yet he left behind a notable legacy of film and television performances.
There are striking parallels between this film and “My Darling Clementine.” Robert Ryan portrays a town-taming lawman, echoing Henry Fonda’s role a decade earlier. Both actors bring a quiet intensity, combining intimidating body language with calculated coolness, and Ryan excels in this compelling role.
In traditional Westerns, the hero often pursues a virtuous lady while flirting with a more provocative saloon girl, but ultimately chooses the former. In contrast, this film diverges from that formula as Sally was a saloon lady, and is now ready to settle down by the time we meet her.
Some details weave through the film, adding depth to its portrayal of a bustling frontier town. For instance, the merchants are quick to capitalize on the cattle boom by swiftly raising their prices, a reflection of the opportunistic spirit that often defines such economic booms. The town drunk provides a poignant portrayal, stealthily sneaking sips from glasses left half-empty by men of means.
“The Proud Ones” uses a lively pace and a narrative that unfolds gradually, keeping viewers guessing until the very end. It’s a top-tier Western featuring rugged lawmen confronting villains in the pursuit of justice, making it a highly recommended watch in my book.
