source: Western Union

Moviecut—Western Union

Western Union

A good part of this movie was shot on location in southern Utah. When Fritz Lang arrived and saw the local Indians who were hired for the movie they were short stocky built people like many of the tribes in the southwestern area of the United States. This did not meet Langs idyllic picture of the tall thin and muscular Indian he had cultivated while he was still in Europe where he was already fascinated with the American west and its's western films. He promptly fired all of the local tribes people and had extras sent from central casting in Hollywood, most of whom were Anglo, to meet his view of Native Americans.

This is a sort of hidden gem. It has little to no promotion, no fanfare, no classic status, and it deserves all of the above! One of the great directors of cinema, Fritz Lang, has created a real gem in this excellent western. A fine cast led by Randolph Scott (in probably one of his greatest performances), the always sturdy Dean Jagger, Robert Young as a surprisingly accomplished dude plus many veteran character actors: Chill Wills, Slim Summerville, John Carradine, Barton MacLane and others in an exciting Zane Grey story of the laying of the Western Union cable across country. It has tense drama, sprinklings of humor and great effects. It's reminiscent of DeMille in ways and yet Fritz Lang leaves his own stamp on it. At very least this is a damned good western!

I wanted to see this film because my grandfather acted in it. His name is James Spencer. I was in store for other treats in this film. It was awe inspiring to see the scenic vistas that shooting on location brought to this film. I was reminded of John Ford's western films. The acting and characters were very watchable and fun. The film was peppered with the fantastic and not seen lately character acting talents of many contract players of the 30's. A great treat for the eyes and mind.

Blazing early technicolor is an awesome ingredient of this fast-moving Fritz Lang western featuring Robert Young and Randolph Scott in one of their best cowboy epics. Basically the story of their rivalry for the affections of a girl (Virginia Gilmore), as well as a story of how the telegraph brought communication to the wilderness. Some inept comedy is the only spoiler in an otherwise straightforward telling of an interesting tale. Randolph Scott is excellent as the man with a past hired to protect Western Union from Indian attacks. Robert Young is perfect as the dapper surveyor from back East. This must have been great "Saturday afternoon at the Bijou" sort of fare for kids and the elders who simply wanted to enjoy a good old shoot 'em up western with cowboys and Indians. It's still enjoyable on that level--and you'll see some of the best early technicolor ever captured on film. Deserves more recognition as one of the best of its kind.