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Duel in the Sun

© Bob Stenbaugh

Duel in the Sun (1946) Dir: King Vidor Wr: David O. Selznick DOP: Lee Garmes, Hal Rosson & Ray Rennehan

If the aliens sent us John Huston, then this is my pick for the little black box we sent to the depths of space in an attempt to explain humanity. Hollywood, specifically the studio system, has never been so completely represented in all of its beautiful, hideous, self-obsessed glory than it is with Selznick's massive horse opera.

Jennifer Jones (sporting some pretty serious forties cleavage) plays the halfbreed "Pearl Chavez," torn between Gregory Peck and Joseph Cotten. Jones, a poor man's Lauren Bacall, struts around like a caged lion, apparently unable to think about anything other than her flaming loins. Everyone treats her like dirt because of the colour of her skin, but for Pearl the only real drag of hanging around with a bunch of bigots is the fact that it keeps her from getting a husband.

She looks spectacular, as does Peck. Their scenes together have a sexual energy that truly defines the film. These two are just plain horny, and the result feels more like Russ Meyer than Douglas Sirk. Don't get me wrong: I've got no problem with horny. It's just that horny is like chinese food--you stuff your face with it 'til you're full, you burp, and ten minutes later you're hungry again.

Horny is great when it's the subject of the movie, love is great when the movie is aiming a little higher. And that's why "Duel in the Sun" is perhaps Hollywood's defining moment: this IS a movie about being horny. That's all it is, and with the goofy, moronic ending that's all it can ever be--yet the film carries tremendous pretentions along with it. It tries so very hard to make you believe that the filmmakers care about dozens of social issues including race, politics, gender, and economics--but the only thing that rings true is the purity of two gorgeous people willing to kill to get in each other's pants.

And just to tease you even more, Vidor gives us two beautiful scenes with Lionel Barrymore and Lillian Gish, veterans who give their all and deserve so much more. Hollywood shows you how wonderful it all could be, and then it smushes a jam sandwich in your face (which incedentally, Jenny Jones does to Gregory Peck).

Watch for a nice cameo appearance by Walter Huston as "the sin killer," a pretty cool train wreck, and an extremely impressive series of tracking shots through a pivotal party scene.