Henry Fonda stars as Wyatt Earp, in this film directed by John Ford. It is loosely based on the events leading up to The Gunfight at the OK Corral. Walter Brennan is Old Man Clanton, who heads up the family, who opposes Earp.
Wyatt Earp is a man who just wants a part of the western frontier. While bringing in cattle, his brother is shot and killed, and his cattle stolen. This motivates him to accept the job as marshal of Tombstone, Arizona, along with his brothers, Virgil, played by Tim Holt and Morgan, played by Ward Bond. He also meets Doc Holiday, played by Victor Mature. Holiday is the town boss, and is loved by Chihuahua played by Linda Darnell. Earp and Holiday don’t get along too well, until Chihuahua is shot by Billy Clanton, when she tells the truth, about a stolen necklace, which implicates him in the murder of Wyatt Earp’s brother, James, and exonerates Doc Holiday. Wyatt Earp, tells his brother, Virgil, to go after the would be killer. He does, and shoots and kills Billy Clanton. Old Man Clanton immediately shoots Virgil in the back, and kills him. He rides into town, and drops Virgil’s body in front of Earp’s office. He tells the marshal, he’ll see him tomorrow at the OK Corral. Earp comes the next day, with his brother Morgan and Doc Holiday. Unfortunately for the Clantons, they are all killed. After the shootout, Wyatt’s love interest, Clementine Carter, played by Cathy Downs tells him, she will be teaching school in town, and he says he will be staying around as well.
Henry Fonda gives the character of Wyatt Earp, a very human feel. This is evident, when he is dancing with Clementine, during a church social. He also shows the business side of Earp, when he is asked by Old Man Clanton, why he’s staying in Tombstone. He says he got a job. Clanton asks him if he’s going to be a cowpoke. Fonda says no, marshaling, and turns slowly around to face Clanton. Although he plays the role of Earp, very subtly, this is one of Henry Fonda’s best roles.
Victor Mature does well as Doc Holiday. Although the character is a medical professional/gunfighter, Mature shows his cultural side. He is listening to a soliloquy from Hamlet, which the actor can’t finish. He finishes it very eloquently, and then goes into a coughing spell, which leaves him bedridden. Victor Mature and Henry Fonda have a great onscreen presence, lending credence to the eventual respect and friendship, of the two characters.
Walter Brennan was a great character actor. Most of the roles he played were likeable people. Old Man Clanton was not one of them. He’s just an evil character in this movie. His character is summed up when Wyatt Earp shoots one of his sons. He tells his son, “when you pull a gun on a man, make sure you kill him.” He is such an evil man, that he can’t accept mercy from Wyatt Earp, who lets him go. He turns and fires and is immediately gunned down by Morgan Earp. It says a lot about an actor’s range, when he can play a villain well. This particular role stands out for Walter Brennan.
John Ford once introduced himself as a man who makes westerns. He was very honest. He not only made them, but he made them very well. My Darling Clementine is no exception. He does great closeups of the actors. His shot of Henry Fonda coming out of the rain, into the saloon is priceless. The dance between Wyatt Earp and Clementine Carter is enjoyable, and shows the civilized part of Tombstone. He saved the best for last for the gunfight. Before it begins, a stagecoach, goes past the corral, and creates a dust cloud, as it picks up speed. When the shooting starts this creates chaos, for the characters involved. It also shows that through that cloud comes the light of the good guys winning the battle.
They say imitation is the best form of flattery. The events in My Darling Clementine, have been made into films several times, with well known actors, but the look and feel of this film can’t be duplicated. There are many good directors in Hollywood, but there was only one John Ford. Even though he took great liberty with the facts, in this movie: it is at its core, a very fine western, and a cinematic piece of art.