Man Without a Star

This movie has some serious pedigree. King Vidor at the helm, an undisputed master. Script by Borden Chase, arguably the finest of all western screenwriters ("Red River," "Winchester '73"). Claire Trevor makes every western better, Kirk Douglas makes every movie better. Frankie Laine on the theme song, and last but not least: Russell Metty behind the camera.

Director of photography for over 150 films, Russell Metty is a true legend. One of five DOP's given credit under Cortez for Welles' "The Magnificent Ambersons," Metty was the only man Orson needed to make "Touch of Evil." Along with the majority of Douglas Sirk's finest films, Metty also shot "Bringing Up Baby," "The Misfits," and "Spartacus." Dang.

"Man Without a Star" features Kirk Douglas at his most energetic. He is untamed perfection singing a song, strumming a banjo, punching chins, twirling guns, and seducing women. Not just any woman I might add, but Jeanne Crain--featured player in two of my all time favourites "Letter to Three Wives" (again with Douglas) and "Leave Her To Heaven" (Gene for President '04).

Crain makes like Mildred Pierce, power monger, slave to the dollar. Douglas shows her up after their first romp in the hay with a positively brilliant exchange--vicious dialogue that will either make you laugh out loud or blush with envy.

Humour is featured throughout. A running joke about indoor bathrooms never gets tired and the classic pairing of experienced cowboy with naive young runaway bubbles with chemistry. The vibe here is more "El Dorado" than "Red River."

Beefs: things do happen a little too fast near the end, and the editors settled on some truly awful sound effects. Fist-fights sound like ping-pong matches and a bottle off the shin sounds like a bottle off a cowbell.

No need to argue much: "Man Without a Star" is a gem. As the cowboy said, "Just pick a star and follow it."

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