Rio Bravo
starring
John Wayne ■ Dean Martin ■ Ricky Nelson ■ Angie Dickinson
(1959)
You've seen nothing like 'em together and in the heat and hate of Rio Bravo nothing can tear 'em apart!
| Sheriff John T. Chance has his hands full after arresting Joe Burdette for murder. He knows that Burdette's brother Nathan, a powerful rancher, will go to any lengths to get him out of jail. Chance's good friend Pat Wheeler offers to help but within 20 minutes of making the offer is gunned down in the street, shot in the back. That leaves his elderly deputy Stumpy, the town drunk Dude - once a deputy and a pretty good shot when he was sober - and a young hand, Colorado, who used to work for Wheeler. Nathan Burdette meanwhile has a couple of dozen men at his disposal. Chance does his best to prepare all the while romancing a pretty gambler who goes by the name of Feathers Aaah, Rio Bravo. One of the first John Wayne movies that I watched as a kid in the early 2000s. It's also one of my family's favorites, from my dad who remembers watching John Wayne in the theaters to my younger brother in his late twenties. My mom and I also enjoy it, in fact, when I sent Angie Dickinson a request for her autograph I included a still photo from this movie. What's so special about Rio Bravo? I guess it's a bit hard to pin down but I know we love it for a myriad of reasons. For one, it's a western for adults that doesn't resort to excess violence or sex. The acting is pretty good, with veteran actors such as Walter Brennan to relative newcomers like Ricky Nelson. Which brings me to one of my favorite scenes, the one where Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson sing My Rifle, My Pony And Me followed by a rousing round of Cindy. My family loves to quote John Wayne, and trust us, there's a quote for any situation, and we get some real mileage out of this film. There's also a lot of humor in here with Walter Brennan getting some of the best lines. He's also probably the only one who could ever get away with swatting John Wayne with a broom! And then there's the married couple, Carlos and Consuela who run the hotel, they're interactions with each other are hysterical. For any fellow Roy Rogers fans out there, you might recognize Consuela (Estelita Rodriguez) from her roles in several of his movies including as the memorable Two-Gun Rita. I've always been a fan of stories where you can tell the good guys from the bad. The good guys may be flawed and make mistakes but there is no doubt that when the chips are down they'll do the right thing. There's no mistaking that they are the heroes. Rio Bravo is definitely one such movie. After having seen this movie so many times it's sometimes hard for me to reconcile the murderous Claude Akins from Rio Bravo with Jessica Fletcher's friend Ethan Cragg in few episodes of Murder She Wrote. I know he has many credits to his name but in my book he's best remembered as Joe Burdette. Whether you are a big fan of westerns or not, even the National Film Preservation Board in 2014 recognized Rio Bravo as a movie to be watched and remembered. So go ahead and grab some popcorn...  2 hours 21 minutes  | Principal Cast John Wayne...Sheriff John T. Chance Dean Martin...Dude ('Borrachón') Ricky Nelson...Colorado Ryan Angie Dickinson...Feathers Walter Brennan...Stumpy Ward Bond...Pat Wheeler John Russell...Nathan Burdette Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez...Carlos Robante Estelita Rodriguez...Consuela Robante Claude Akins...Joe Burdette Filming Location(s) Old Tucson Studios, Tucson, AZ (exterior shots) Awards Golden Globes, USA 1960 Most Promising Newcomer - Female - Angie Dickinson Texas Film Awards 2012 Star of Texas Award - Angie Dickinson National Film Preservation Board, USA 2014 National Film Registry Quotes John T. Chance: You're not as smart as your brother, Joe. He sees Stumpy here sittin' around the corner locked in with you... and if that isn't plain enough, I'll tell you why. If any trouble starts around this jail, before anybody can get to you you're gonna get accidentally shot. Stumpy: I can practical' guarantee that! John T. Chance: [Referring to Colorado] It's nice to see a smart kid for a change. Stumpy: Yeah, he ain't like the usual kid with a gun. Dude: Wonder if he's as good as Wheeler said? John T. Chance: I'd say he is. I'd say he's so good, he doesn't feel he has to prove it. [after Carlos has a quarrel with Consuela] John T. Chance: You take chances, my friend. Carlos Robante: Because I know woman. If she will be mad or she will be sorry - if it is 'mad', she will be much pleasure to make right; and if she is 'sorry', it will be the same pleasure. You... you do not have women, so you do not know, senor. But me... Carlos Robante... I know! Stumpy: Joe don't get no sugar in his coffee; he just gets water poured over the grounds. Feathers: In case you make up your mind, I left my door open. Get a good night's sleep. John T. Chance: You're not helping me any. John T. Chance: Stumpy! Stumpy: What? [Stops playing harmonica] John T. Chance: They don't need any help with that tune. Stumpy: What's the matter? Is it getting through to you? Yiuk, yiuk! [cackles] Feathers: I thought you were never going to say it. John T. Chance: Say what? Feathers: That you love me. John T. Chance: I said I'd arrest you. Feathers: It means the same thing, you know that [last lines] Stumpy: You think I'll ever get to be a sheriff? Dude: Not unless you mind your own business. [Stumpy cackles] |
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