The fourth film version of Rex Beach's novel The Spoilers is arguably the most famous mainly for its star studded cast and one of the most epic fistfights this side of Family Guy. Marlene Dietrich, Randolph Scott, and John Wayne supply the thespian fireworks while director Ray Enright provides a swift pace in bringing this roughhousing tale to life.
Prospector Roy Glennister (John Wayne) returns to Nome via steamship in the company of Helen Chester (Margaret Lindsey) and her uncle Judge Stillman (Samuel S. Hinds). Stillman has arrived to ostensibly enact law and order to the wild territory and cure the epidemic of rampant claim jumping. Helen's interest in Glennister and connection to the judge arouses the animosity -and suspicions - of Cherry Malotte (Marlene Dietrich) who has been having a long term affair with the burly miner. Soon someone files an injunction against the Midas, the largest mine of all , which is owned by Glennister and his partner Dextry (Harry Carey). Helen persuades Glennister to allow the law to run its course which results in the mine being taken over by the court. Turns out Helen, the judge, and Gold Commissioner McNamara (Randolph Scott) are in cahoots to swindle the legitimate landholders. Glennister and Dextry refuse to accept the ruling lying down and plan to set things right by using force.
The screenplay by Lawrence Hazard and Tom Reed takes a few liberties with Rex Beach's source material but the events remain generally the same. The story moves along briskly and expertly blends melodrama, comedy, and action together to satisfy any audience. It's a bit odd that Marlene Dietrich is cast as a saloon owner and isn't called upon to launch into any songs but one would suppose the filmmakers wanted to sustain focus on the manly action. Director Ray Enright stages some nice action sequences to close out the film after letting things simmer with tension until the last 15 minutes. The climactic fistfight between Randolph Scott, John Wayne, their stuntmen, and hundreds of breakable props is worth the buildup despite being marred by sped up photography and the obvious use of stunt doubles in long shots. However the stars are clearly visible doing much of the slugging and reportedly beat themselves up filming this sequence.
The cast is the main selling point for this version of The Spoilers. Top billed Marlene Dietrich dominates the screen as she beguiles the men with her unique sex appeal and a bunch of eye catching outfits (although curiously wearing the same dress 3 separate times). Palpable animosity is evident between the two strapping male stars, Randolph Scott and John Wayne, who enjoyed an offscreen rivalry as well. Scott reportedly wanted the role of Glennister while snaring second billing over Duke which rankled the up-and-coming star. This is the only time Scott portrayed an out-and-out bad guy so it is quite a novelty to witness him turning on the southern charm for nefarious purposes. He's also seething with lechery as he spends most of his scenes with Miss Dietrich attempting to sweet talk her out of her dress. Meanwhile Wayne enjoys the larger role but his Glennister is problematic; the guy is charming but a real jerk in his dealings with the ladies in his life while being impossibly smug to boot. It is interesting to contemplate how the movie would have played out had the men swapped roles as it is impossible for me to envision Randolph Scott enacting Glennister as written. Duke however pulls it off easily and displays effortless charisma in the part.
The supporting cast is particularly strong and everyone delivers their best. Margaret Lindsay is tops as the duplicitous Helen Chester who maneuvers Glennister into the trap but falls in love with him after it's sprung. She and Miss Dietrich share the most emotional vignette in the movie when the latter confronts Miss Lindsay with her treachery. In one of his last film roles Richard Barthelmess delivers poignancy as the Bronco Kid, hopelessly in love with Cherry and functioning as her saloon lieutenant, while enjoying a truly moving death scene. Frequent Duke Wayne costar and western screen legend Harry Carey is solid as the faithful Dextry while Universal regular Samuel S. Hinds registers as the conniving Judge Stillman. Delivered the yucks are familiar studio faces Russell Simpson (Flapjack Sims), George Cleveland (Bantu), and Jack Norton as the perpetually drunk Mr. Skinner who sobers up long enough to be of some use. A final kudos must go to Marietta Canty as Miss Dietrich's devoted maid Idabelle who, although stuck in a typically demeaning racially stereotyped role, is nonetheless quite lovable and provides abundant fresh air.
A sizable hit in its day The Spoilers resulted in a followup Marlene Dietrich-Randolph Scott-John Wayne picture later in the year called Pittsburgh which couldn't recapture the box office success of this one. It certainly proved the chemistry between the stars was no fluke and makes one wish a better vehicle could have been constructed to further capitalize on that magic. Fortunately The Spoilers remains an immensely entertaining picture that proves Universal could deliver more than Abbott & Costello comedies and monster films in the 1940s. Fans of Dietrich, Scott, and Wayne will likely keep this one in their annual viewing rotation.
Prospector Roy Glennister (John Wayne) returns to Nome via steamship in the company of Helen Chester (Margaret Lindsey) and her uncle Judge Stillman (Samuel S. Hinds). Stillman has arrived to ostensibly enact law and order to the wild territory and cure the epidemic of rampant claim jumping. Helen's interest in Glennister and connection to the judge arouses the animosity -and suspicions - of Cherry Malotte (Marlene Dietrich) who has been having a long term affair with the burly miner. Soon someone files an injunction against the Midas, the largest mine of all , which is owned by Glennister and his partner Dextry (Harry Carey). Helen persuades Glennister to allow the law to run its course which results in the mine being taken over by the court. Turns out Helen, the judge, and Gold Commissioner McNamara (Randolph Scott) are in cahoots to swindle the legitimate landholders. Glennister and Dextry refuse to accept the ruling lying down and plan to set things right by using force.
The screenplay by Lawrence Hazard and Tom Reed takes a few liberties with Rex Beach's source material but the events remain generally the same. The story moves along briskly and expertly blends melodrama, comedy, and action together to satisfy any audience. It's a bit odd that Marlene Dietrich is cast as a saloon owner and isn't called upon to launch into any songs but one would suppose the filmmakers wanted to sustain focus on the manly action. Director Ray Enright stages some nice action sequences to close out the film after letting things simmer with tension until the last 15 minutes. The climactic fistfight between Randolph Scott, John Wayne, their stuntmen, and hundreds of breakable props is worth the buildup despite being marred by sped up photography and the obvious use of stunt doubles in long shots. However the stars are clearly visible doing much of the slugging and reportedly beat themselves up filming this sequence.
The cast is the main selling point for this version of The Spoilers. Top billed Marlene Dietrich dominates the screen as she beguiles the men with her unique sex appeal and a bunch of eye catching outfits (although curiously wearing the same dress 3 separate times). Palpable animosity is evident between the two strapping male stars, Randolph Scott and John Wayne, who enjoyed an offscreen rivalry as well. Scott reportedly wanted the role of Glennister while snaring second billing over Duke which rankled the up-and-coming star. This is the only time Scott portrayed an out-and-out bad guy so it is quite a novelty to witness him turning on the southern charm for nefarious purposes. He's also seething with lechery as he spends most of his scenes with Miss Dietrich attempting to sweet talk her out of her dress. Meanwhile Wayne enjoys the larger role but his Glennister is problematic; the guy is charming but a real jerk in his dealings with the ladies in his life while being impossibly smug to boot. It is interesting to contemplate how the movie would have played out had the men swapped roles as it is impossible for me to envision Randolph Scott enacting Glennister as written. Duke however pulls it off easily and displays effortless charisma in the part.
The supporting cast is particularly strong and everyone delivers their best. Margaret Lindsay is tops as the duplicitous Helen Chester who maneuvers Glennister into the trap but falls in love with him after it's sprung. She and Miss Dietrich share the most emotional vignette in the movie when the latter confronts Miss Lindsay with her treachery. In one of his last film roles Richard Barthelmess delivers poignancy as the Bronco Kid, hopelessly in love with Cherry and functioning as her saloon lieutenant, while enjoying a truly moving death scene. Frequent Duke Wayne costar and western screen legend Harry Carey is solid as the faithful Dextry while Universal regular Samuel S. Hinds registers as the conniving Judge Stillman. Delivered the yucks are familiar studio faces Russell Simpson (Flapjack Sims), George Cleveland (Bantu), and Jack Norton as the perpetually drunk Mr. Skinner who sobers up long enough to be of some use. A final kudos must go to Marietta Canty as Miss Dietrich's devoted maid Idabelle who, although stuck in a typically demeaning racially stereotyped role, is nonetheless quite lovable and provides abundant fresh air.
A sizable hit in its day The Spoilers resulted in a followup Marlene Dietrich-Randolph Scott-John Wayne picture later in the year called Pittsburgh which couldn't recapture the box office success of this one. It certainly proved the chemistry between the stars was no fluke and makes one wish a better vehicle could have been constructed to further capitalize on that magic. Fortunately The Spoilers remains an immensely entertaining picture that proves Universal could deliver more than Abbott & Costello comedies and monster films in the 1940s. Fans of Dietrich, Scott, and Wayne will likely keep this one in their annual viewing rotation.
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