Valley of the Sun

This thoroughly enjoyable RKO comedic Western from 1942 used to be shown regularly on TV in the '50s and '60s, but seems to have faded into obscurity and deserves a TCM revival. A swift 79-minute running time packs in plenty of action, rambunctious humor, and sparkling romantic chemistry between leads James Craig (why he didn't become a major star remains a mystery) and luscious Lucille Ball (exuding the volcanic combo of dazzling beauty and an innate flair for slapstick that would come to full fruition a decade later in "I Love Lucy" on the home-screen). Dismissed by most critics as a forgettable low-grade oater, "Valley of the Sun" was a high-budget class-A RKO production, and shows in the caliber of the witty screenplay, eye-catching production design, and shimmering black-and-white photography. Excellent entertainment, and still a thorough delight from start to finish.

This film was a surprise to me with it's surprisingly sassy and witty dialogue bantered about in what is essentially a western.

Army Scout turned fugitive Jonathan Ware runs into Jim Sawyer on a stage coach and they get off on a bad foot. Then while trying to take a bath he happens to run into Jim Sawyer's cook turned fiancé Christine Larson. This begins a humorous romp trying to foil Jim Sawyer and Christine's wedding which ends up with the three of them plus the minister being caught and held hostage by a tribe of native Americans. Jim Sawyer is apparently the Native Agent and he has been stealing from them for which they want retribution via his death. Against his better judgment m, Johnathan Ware, vouches for Jim and guarantees not only the return of their property but more. Later Jim double crosses both the Natives and Jonathan...eventually allowing Christine to see him for who he truly is and to see Jonathan in a better light. The film eventually comes full circle in another stage coach.

There are some great brawls and some really good Native American hoop dancing...but the best part of this film is the hate to love romance between Lucille Ball and James Craig. (For once she plays it completely straight!)

This was more fun that I expected and was quite enjoyable for a western. Not high on my must see list...more of a sleeper that maybe you should check out.

Curious head-scratcher of a western directed by George Marshall features James Craig as a drifter in 1868 Tucson who disrupts the wedding of feisty barmaid Lucille Ball, later stopping a war between the white man and an Apache Indian tribe! Lucy-completists will want to take a look, but this may be one example of why her movie-career never caught fire. The picture is just a second-string quickie, despite writers Clarence Budington Kelland and Horace McCoy tossing in some comedic overtones (which help). Unfortunately, it just doesn't add up to much. I'd trade all those tumbleweeds for a cameo by William Frawley. ** from ****

Once again George Marshall, who directed DESTRY RIDES AGAIN, brings wit and sass to the old west. James Craig, who was a hit in the previous year's ALL THAT MONEY CAN BUY for RKO, does a fine job as the amiable hero. Lucille Ball displays a large amount of her comic abilities, both physical and character with some wonderful double takes. Even Dean Jagger, usually a very dour character indeed, has fun in VALLEY OF THE SUN. The story is slight, friend of the Indians tries to prevent the wedding of a girl he's met with the man who turns out to be the crooked Indian agent. More important than the actual plot are the progressive set pieces that evoke laughs and thrills. Billy Gilbert is a riot as the stuttering, sneezing (only one) judge; Cedric Hardwicke is an enigmatic immigrant; Antonio Moreno wears a false beak as the Indian chief; and western star Tom Tyler appears as Geronimo in a terrific scene where he challenges Craig. Seeing this movie puts the lie to all that hogwash that's been printed about Tyler having to play crippled Kharis in THE MUMMY'S HAND two years earlier because he himself was crippled with arthritis. Excellent musical score by Paul Sawtell is the icing on the cake.

I highly recommend this spirited horse opera.

James craig, lucy, tom tyler. Tucson is still a territory, with a wide mix of settlers, and the first americans. It's chris' wedding day, and the whole town is buzzing. The army is already squabbling with a scout and the crooked agent. The scout is on the run, after getting court martialed for standing up for the indians. And of course, chris' husband-to-be is caught up in the shenanigans. A typical western, with some extra humor thrown in here and there. Some silliness over using red ants to delay a wedding. Billy gilbert, who made a career out of sneezing his way through movies. Even cochise and geronimo are here. This was still the awkward part of lucy's career where they weren't really sure what to do with her. She made some good comedies in the 1940s, and of course, had her own series with ricky in the 1950s. Very pretty scenery of the southwest. Its actually not bad. A bit silly, but mostly good. We can see the beginnings of lucy and her comedy bits. Directed by george marshall. Based on the stories of clarence kelland.