William A. Wellman directs and Joel McCrea takes the title role in this entertaining Hollywood version of the true story of Buffalo Bill Cody. True? I have absolutely no idea as most of what I know about Bill comes from the movies anyway having seen him portrayed by McCrea, Heston, Carradine, Newman and whoever played him in the 100% sure to be true events as presented by Cecil B. DeMille in The Plainsman.
All kidding aside, McCrea carries himself beautifully here as a noble western figure that also sees Maureen O’Hara as his long suffering wife in vivid technicolor. To see Miss O’Hara in technicolor is a joy in itself. The movie being a good one is extra icing on the cake. The story starts in 1878 where we find Edgar Buchanan in his military blues handling the reigns of a stagecoach that has O’Hara as a passenger under Indian attack. It’s McCrea to the rescue and love at first site between the two stars of our movie.
It’s an amusing courtship as McCrea is a fish out of water and O’Hara the cultured big city woman. McCrea will even have to rely on an Indian Maiden, the breathtaking Linda Darnell, to help him with a comical dinner invitation response. Things will turn a might serious when Darnell’s brother and leader of the Sioux, Anthony Quinn is told to make way for the railroad and move his people father away from the buffalo that sustains them.
McCrea and Quinn have a great respect for one another but after each has saved the other from harm the next time they meet will be on a battlefield where no mercy will be spared. Sadly it does come to that when hunters by the score invade the lands to slaughter the Buffalo. Quinn will lead his people to battle and in a somber though exciting fight he will lose his life to McCrea as the two square off face to face. It’s also a fight that McCrea is ashamed of when it’s over. When asked about the dead that lay all around he quietly states, “They were all my friends.”
When McCrea is called before the President to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, it’s a bittersweet award that in the end has him standing up for the plight of the Indian Nations against the whites who consider them expendable. When nearly all is lost to McCrea, both his reputation and his wife, a chance encounter with a carnival operator will be the one thing that turns his life around making him a world famous frontier showman travelling the globe with his Wild West Show.
Despite the fact that a damned narrator butts into the proceedings at times this is a very well made “A” budget production with the cast to match and an army of extras on horseback for the battle scenes. The only time I feel a bit betrayed is when that annoying back screen process shot turns up for a few close ups on the soundstage as opposed to a location shoot where they should have been done. Also turning up is Oscar winner, Thomas Mitchell, as Ned Buntline. It’s Ned who wrote many of the dime store novels that would make a literary figure and western hero out of Buffalo Bill Cody. Despite the beauty of both O’Hara and Darnell, this film belongs strictly to McCrea with his humble performance that once again proves how similar he is to Gary Cooper in his acting style. Both had a sense of honor about them in westerns and a playfulness when called for but could also play the leading man in screwball comedies to a T.
For the trivia hounds, this was the second film of six that Anthony Quinn would appear in with Maureen O’Hara. In order they are, The Black Swan (1942), Buffalo Bill, Sinbad the Sailor (1947), Against All Odds (1952), The Magnificent Matador (1955) and then one final romantic fling in Only The Lonely (1991) a personal favorite for us John Candy fans.
At just 90 minutes, this is an easy watch for the western fans and or the history buffs. It’s easy to find on DVD if you’d like to see a winning performance from Mr. Joel McCrea.
Mike's Take On the Movies 
Nice job. I’d never made the O’Hara-Quinn connection. Heckuva battle, especially with all those hundreds of extras used during the war. Footage was re-used in several other Fox films like “Pony Soldier”.
Thanks. Don’t you love when you’re watching lower budget stuff that features a big charge and scenes you know have been lifted from an earlier production? Pony Soldier kind of a let down overall.
An inspired choice and a great review,as always.
You constantly feature my kind of movies.
Actually when Wellman received the first draft of the script he thought it was the best one
he had ever received. The initial draft had Cody as a total charlatan. Then Wellman
considered the era when the film was made-not the ideal time to deconstruct an American hero.
The film-makers decided to go for the legend,and avoid the negative aspects of the original
script.
The same writer and producer had previously made an excellent Western THE WOMAN OF
THE TOWN a “warts & all” take on Bat Masterson. Sadly the film is greatly hindered by
the casting of Albert Dekker as Masterson. Dekker a fine character actor just did not have the
stature to portray Masterson. Joel McCrea or Randolph Scott would have been ideal
and in fact they both played Masterson in later films. If you can get over Dekker in the lead
WOMAN OF THE TOWN is a very fine Western.
Yep! I noticed the footage in PONY SOLDIER but I feel that I regard this film much higher than Mike
but it is a minor Tyrone Power vehicle.
Tons of BUFFALO BILL footage was also used in THE GUN THAT WON THE WEST.
Hey thanks for the added details on this one. Not surprised they doctored things up and yes, during this time period they needed heroes of good moral standing. Not familiar with the Dekker film. Have to look for that one.
Buffalo Bill looks like a fun film. I never realised Anthony Quinn was of Mexican descent. And never knew he spent a lot of his early days playing Native Americans and even a few Chinese characters! Also never realised his career goes back so far!!! Do you know if Quinn did any noir films? Or other recommendations of his?
Big Quinn fan here. Just checked, have 91 films here in the personal library. Not much in the way of Noir really. Maybe The Naked Street. He was always cast as ethnic types and therefore in demand. Made about 50 films before his first leading role in 1947. Then back to co-starring status. 2 Oscars for Supporting Actor put him into lead roles from the mid 50’s onward. Recommendations…. plenty.
91 films in the library!!!!! 91!!!! wow.
Now thats what I’m talking about, respects buddy. Thats a great stepping stone to delve into Quinn.
Across 110th Street and Guns of Navarone are the two I know the most. But the rest I haven’t a clue.
“Requiem for a Heavyweight” looks essential and will be the one I will go for first, with “The Savage Innocents” next I think and love that “Warlock” poster artwork. Noted the rest to look out for. Thank you so very much.
No way “Lust For Life” I have seen that so many years ago and never knew it’s name apart from the it had Kirk playing Vincent and it was brilliant.
Across 110th Street, 25th Hour, Rrquiem For a Heavyweight, Barabbas, Guns of Navarone, Savage Innocents, Last Train From Gun Hill, Warlock, Lust For Life and Viva Zapata….. that’s all for now. lol.
This one sounds really cool, and you’ve convinced me to check it out. And it sounds like McCrea does a great job in this as well. And NINETY-ONE Anthony Quinn films! I have 43 Clint Eastwood films on the Monolith, and he’s my favorite actor. I can’t imagine how many discs you have of movies starring YOUR favorite actor…539?
McCrea was a fine actor who is so Gary Cooper like that he gets forgotten I think because of it. Yes I like to collect movies. lol. Too bad the Quinn movie with MY favorite actor isn’t all that good.
By the way, how many Bronson movies do you own?
Not including a lot of TV appearances from the 50’s and 60’s I have 87 of his 92 credited film appearances.
Very cool! I think a celebratory post on your site would be in order when you obtain the final five!