Kit Carson

Well they just don't make them like this anymore. I for one would enjoy new releases of this calibre of the western genre. The original western cowboy and the officer and a gentleman vying for the heart of the classy lady who is travelling across the prairies heading for California to re-unite with her wealthy cattle rancher father. The only problem is there are hundreds of Indians behind the tall hills who do not want the Americans settling on the land that they already are sharing with the Mexicans who also have aspirations of taking the beautiful state of California land as their own.

The rugged frontiersman is a real life cowboy named Kit Carson (played by Jon Hall) who has teamed up with two of his best friends and loyal followers whose names appropriately are Ape (Ward Bond), and Lopez (Harold Huber). These three amigos agree to be the lead scouts for the wagon train that the unmarried damsel named Dolores Murphy (Lynn Bari) has secured their services for a wheel barrel full of cash. The wagon train also has a flank of American soldiers at their side led by Captain John C. Fremont (Dana Andrews).

What is different about this western/romance is that the two alpha males who are vying for Ms. Murphy's affections act more like the courteous animated chipmunks Chip and Dale then two adversaries. Both are true gentlemen and only want Ms. Murphy to be happy with her choice for her future husband.

This film is filled with action, light humor, cowboys and Indians, chivalry, romance and a pretty darn good ending for a black and white film released 78 years ago. I liked it a lot and I give it a sound 7 out of 10 rating.

This Kit Carson doesn't run for historical truth, that's clear. But it's pure joyful entertainment with plenty twists and fast paced battles and a lot of surprising details (bath sequence). The tahitian Jon Hall is impressive as the leader of a convoy towards California braked by Shoshones helped by Mexican dictator Castro who wants to kill all Americans going to California. Carson is constantly determined to find quickly the right solutions to these constant dangers and it's fascinating. The triangle love story with Carson, his friend officer Frémont (a young but not yet great Dana Andrews) and beautiful Lynn Bari reminds me of some Howard Hawks movies, Carson and Frémont always being fair. I chose that DVD without knowing the director nor Jon Hall, but I saw a picture on the sleeve of the Monument Valley and that's how I decided to buy this DVD, and the Monument sequences are wonderful, I only regret it wasn't shot in colour. Anyway, a nice western that really reminds me of Howard Hawks.

Aside from the novelty of seeing Jon Hall and Harold Huber in a western (as neither were the type to usually do westerns), there isn't a whole lot distinctive about this western. It's one of a billion (give or take 5) that are completely fictional stories about real life westerners. In this case, it's Kit Carson--an interesting guy but also someone where about 98% of what you read and see in movies about his is complete fiction. In this case, it's pretty much more of the same.

Kit (Jon Hall) and his friends (Harold Huber and Ward Bond) have just finished an adventure which includes the hilarious pastime of killing Indians and scalping them. So, when the cavalry officer (Dana Andrews) asks them to guide a wagon train west to California, Kit is not interested. However, when Kit gets a gander at a feisty lady, he completely changes his mind and leads the settlers. The problem is that an evil Spanish megalomaniac is planning on turning California into is own little fiefdom and plans on wiping out the settlers. Can Kit and the cavalry stop this nut-job and make America safe for more white folks wanting Indian scalps? Bad history but somewhat entertaining. Not a great film but a decent one if you adore the genre. Not much more I want to say about this rather forgettable film.

At Fort Bridger in the Wyoming Territory, frontiersman and scout Kit Carson (Jon Hall) receives a request to guide a wagon train over the Oregon Trail to California. Concerned by the dangers of Indian attacks, Carson hesitates, but then agrees despite the wagon train having already arranged for protection from a cavalry unit led by Capt. John Fremont (Dana Andrews).

On the journey, Carson and Fremont clash several times over leadership - and the attentions of Dolores Murphy (Lynn Bari).

Kit Carson is an entertaining and exciting western-adventure with drama, romance and action to keep you glued. The action sequences are well-staged and exciting - loved the scene where Jon Hall clings to a side of a horse as rides with the dead bodies strapped to their horses; a decoy that works. There's plenty of exciting scenes with injuns giving the wagon train trouble - the main villain is a Mexican general who doesn't want Americanos in Californy.

John Hall does very well in a role that Randolph Scott was considered for. His clashes with Lynn Bari and Dana Andrews, who plays an officer who sticks to military rules adds some drama. Kit and Andrews fight over Bari - no guesses who gets the gal. Liked the characters who were quite colourful.

Rousing, action packed tale of the taking of California from the Mexican Government. While historically inaccurate, the cast and direction move things along in a pleasant manner, with lotsa Indians and gunfire. It's a good thing that Andrews wears a moustache since he and Hall are almost twins.