There is always a debate among critics and fans. It revolves around John Wayne. The question is what movie made him a western movie icon? It seems like a hard question. He made so many good movies in this genre. The question has an easy answer,Rio Bravo.
This movie shows Wayne at his best. He plays Sheriff John T. Chance. He has a job. It is to keep a murderer, Joe Burdette, (Claude Akins), in his jail, to stand trial. It seems easy, but Burdette’s brother, Nathan, (John Russell) is standing in the way. He is a powerful rancher, and has hired people to assist him in breaking his brother, out of jail. Sheriff Chance, only has his deputy, Stumpy, (Walter Brennan), and Dude,(Dean Martin). The deck seems stacked against the good guys. The odds are even greater against them, because Dude is a drunk. He once was a good deputy, until a bad woman ruined him. Dean Martin does very well in his role. John Wayne also excels, as a man who needs his friend, and won’t give up on him. Walter Brennan shows why he won academy awards. He gives a light hearted touch, to an often dark film.
The good guys are aided in their defense of the law, by Colorado Ryan, (Ricky Nelson). He was a television star, and successful singer. He transitions well in this major film role. Colorado is coming off a cattle drive. He asks Chance, if he can help him. The answer is a skeptical yes. Colorado’s determination for justice, is reinforced, when his boss, Pat Wheeler, (Ward Bond), is killed. This was Bond’s last film role. He passed away the next year, at 57. The killer of Pat Wheeler is found, partially redeeming Dude. He is a good lawman, but slips up, giving the bad guys leverage.
The film gets a lighter side with Feathers, (Angie Dickinson). She has an on again- off again romance, with Chance. Age difference has never stopped Hollywood. John Wayne was 51 and she was 26. The two have good screen chemistry. Angie Dickinson’s name in the movie is a rare flaw in the script. Dean Martin’s is the other. The character’s could have had better names. The overall story is well done by Jules Furthman and Leigh Brackett. They were known for different types of writing. Furthman wrote many famous screenplays, Mutiny on the Bounty, Northwest Passage and The Big Sleep. Brackett was a well known science fiction writer, whose work was noticed by Howard Hawks. She cowrote The Big Sleep. She wrote the script for The Empire Strikes Back, before she died.
It is an astonishing thing, that Howard Hawks, was neglected by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Rio Bravo and Red River, are considered masterpieces. They both gave John Wayne, a chance to act and give the iconic image of the western film hero. He also gets a quality performance from novices, Ricky Nelson and Angie Dickinson. There have been many successful directors. There aren’t many who have directed across all genres. There are even fewer who have some of their movies, on The National Film Registry. He garnered respect from all corners of the industry, which was a hard thing to do.
Rio Bravo has well crafted scenes. They are original. The good guys outwit the bad guys, in unique ways. One involves a potted plant. The film has an explosive climax. The action scenes are good. It is the dialogue that make the movie. This is certainly true, when Chance confronts Nathan Burdette in the jail. He makes it clear, that if a breakout is attempted, Joe Burdette, will be the first to die. This dialogue is delivered stoically by Wayne. The film takes a light hearted turn, with Ricky Nelson and Dean Martin singing My Rifle, My Pony and Me. Walter Brennan later accompanies them, when they sing, Get Along Cindy.
Rio Bravo is one of The Duke’s best movies. It is also one of the finest westerns ever made. The interesting thing is that Wayne came back to the western after a three year layoff. His films weren’t making money. Rio Bravo did. It set him on the path, to make mainly westerns, for the rest of his career. This movie, also was the formula for the westerns, he made. This was a simple mix of comedy and action, that worked very well. Howard Hawks took a few years off, before making this movie. He also didn’t have success. Rio Bravo was so successful, that he remade it twice, with Wayne. The movies were El Dorado and Rio Lobo. Both made money. Rio Bravo isn’t a movie that needs intense study. It is a movie that should be enjoyed. That is the true nature of the western. It is the one genre that truly has American roots.