The Cariboo Trail

The Cariboo Trail

The Cariboo Trail

An accomplished assembly-line Randolph Scott western shot in feverish Cinecolor hues and enhanced by second unit work by Arthur Rosson and a large and interesting supporting cast including a youthful Dale Robertson and Mary Stuart (both of whom went on to long careers on TV).

'Gabby" Hayes can always be relied upon to liven things up, and here he comes very much to the rescue of this otherwise rather hum-drum pioneer western adventure. Top billing goes to the rather sterile Randolph Scott ("Redfern") who, with his pals "Evans" (Bill Williams) & "Ling" (Lee Tung Foo) encounter old-timer "Grizzly" as they head into British Colombia with some farming and gold-panning on their minds. They are not there for long, though, before local cattle baron "Walsh" (Victor Jory) and his men stampede their cattle causing "Evans" an injury that costs him his arm - and costs the operating "Redfern" their friendship. Now facing hostility from just about every side, his only hope is to find some gold in them thar hills. Karin Booth provides the occasional, and lively, love interest - a shrinking violet she isn't, and the rest of the narrative follows a well trammelled storyline peppered with the odd gunfight, before quite an exciting head-to-head. Aside from the rather wooden Scott, this features quite a characterful cast with enough action and a minimum of romance and wordy dialogue to pass eighty minutes amongst some fine cinematography (Colorado not BC) enjoyably enough.

Nothing surprising here, in this predictable but efficient little western which uses the perfect recipe for success. The scheme is as old as the movie film industry. And in Warner Bros productions, the villain is always, Raymond Massey, Victor Jory, Zachary Scott, David Brian and the leads Randolph Scott, Dennis Morgan or Madonald Carey. The "recipe" works very well here, it is fast paced, powerful of simplicity in terms of story telling. And the sub characters such as George Gabby Hayes are delightful because of the touch they all bring to this charming western. Edwin Marin the director provided many good of this kind during his last years of career. Most of them starring Randolph Scott.

Truly a classic shot in dynamic color showing the unspoiled great outdoors. Don't pay any mind to the few power lines in the background of a few scenes or the few Indians that without a shirt maybe had been hitting the American Hostess Twinkee a little hard. Enjoy the scenery. The beautiful First Ladies and amazing colors shot on location. The Canadian mountains/ north of Montana is the feeling I get when watching this Randolph Scott classic. I can't help from getting the feeling the writers and producers where thinking this could spin off and be the next prime time Bonanza continuing saga for generations to come.

Randolph Scott delivers the goods once again in "The Cariboo Trail". It's another well made western by Scott and company. The story is well told. The supporting cast is good. "The Cariboo Trail" is a satisfying watch. Honorable mention: Lee Tong Foo.

Scott can be described, if nothing else, as reliable. However in this movie he fails to reach that mark, with a character that's not really someone you want to root for. There is one point in the movie where he destroys a bar in a fight, after which he is speaking to the owner (his girlfriend) and not only does he not offer to pay for (or apologise) for the damages he then charges her for some goods. What an arsehole. The real problem with the movie is Scott is one of the more likeable characters, most of them are despicable. Now I understand that you have characters in a movie you aren't supposed to like but not ALL of them. They all come across as so entitled. Its an average story with no redeeming elements. Don't bother.

Randolph Scott heads up a wonderful cast of well know western actors. Gabby Hayes ended his movie career on a high note with a most appropriate moniker of Grizzly. Dale Robertson and soap opera star Mary Stuart have a nice romantic sub plot and Bill Williams plays a powerful role as the partner gone bad. Leading lady Karin Booth was superb as the woman caught in a love triangle with Scott and the villain we love to hate Victor Jory. As for the great action, no one plays better henchmen than Douglas Kennedy and Jim Davis. I loved the cinecolor production but I would love to see the original release version which was black and white. Other noteworthy performances were by Mary Kent, Lee Tong Foo and James Griffith. An exciting story line of cattle driving and gold prospecting combined with a great cast of stars makes The Cariboo Trail an excellent film.