I finally purchased streaming copies of both films so I can watch them back to back. Nelson Riddle is a favorite of mine because his work with Sinatra was amazing. Yes, Hunnicut is the weak link here.
Excellent Review again. Shows convincingly why Rio Bravo is the slightly superior movie but giving El Dorado all the appraisal it fully deserves. Unfortunately, I will now be never again be able to un-see the abomination of a vest Mitchum is wearing. Regarding Arthur Hunnicutt: a movie where he really shines is Hawks' "The Big Sky", in my opinion a criminally underrated and unknown Western (well worth a review). Of course you are now legally obliged to review Rio Lobo too, no way around😉
Thank you! I watched the 'The Big Sky' once quite a few years ago but don't remember a lot about it. I'll have to dig it out again and give it a rewatch. I really do need to watch 'Rio Lobo' again. It's probably the late-career John Wayne western I've watched the least, but Jack Elam and his scattergun are calling to me. I suppose the only solution is to complete the trilogy.
Another comprehensive & great review! And here's a tip for you as to why Edith Head might have done all those Westerns. She actually preferred dressing men over women! One of her professional highlights was dressing Danny Kaye for the White Christmas scene, "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing". Beautifully tailored gray suit, gray socks, gray suede shoes. The line was unbroken! Makes me weep when I think of the pink cocktail dress Vera Ellen wore, in the same scene! 🕺🏼💃🏼
Thank you! That's an interesting point, the costume's here are great. I do prefer the colourful clothing that so often appeared in classic westerns. The muted tones that appear in so many more modern westerns might be more period accurate, but they aren't as fun.
Evidently, the screenwriter Leigh Brackett had said El Dorado in its original form was her best work she had ever done, but that as production was happening, Howard Hawks seemed to be just interested in doing Rio Bravo again, more or less…I would have to watch it again to be sure, but I have historically been one of those to find El DoRado under appreciated and perhaps even superior to Rio Bravo? But im not sure now…Both excellent films!!
I had heard she said that, the documentary "Ride, Boldly Ride: The Journey to El Dorado" is a great resource. I would be very curious to read her initial screenplay, or at least the novel "The Stars in Their Courses". I think the original plan for the film was to be a much more somber story, so the scenes revolving around Thornton shooting the young MacDonald boy are probably holdovers from that.
wonderful review thank you,
I finally purchased streaming copies of both films so I can watch them back to back. Nelson Riddle is a favorite of mine because his work with Sinatra was amazing. Yes, Hunnicut is the weak link here.
Excellent Review again. Shows convincingly why Rio Bravo is the slightly superior movie but giving El Dorado all the appraisal it fully deserves. Unfortunately, I will now be never again be able to un-see the abomination of a vest Mitchum is wearing. Regarding Arthur Hunnicutt: a movie where he really shines is Hawks' "The Big Sky", in my opinion a criminally underrated and unknown Western (well worth a review).
Of course you are now legally obliged to review Rio Lobo too, no way around😉
Thank you! I watched the 'The Big Sky' once quite a few years ago but don't remember a lot about it. I'll have to dig it out again and give it a rewatch. I really do need to watch 'Rio Lobo' again. It's probably the late-career John Wayne western I've watched the least, but Jack Elam and his scattergun are calling to me. I suppose the only solution is to complete the trilogy.
Another comprehensive & great review! And here's a tip for you as to why Edith Head might have done all those Westerns. She actually preferred dressing men over women! One of her professional highlights was dressing Danny Kaye for the White Christmas scene, "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing". Beautifully tailored gray suit, gray socks, gray suede shoes. The line was unbroken! Makes me weep when I think of the pink cocktail dress Vera Ellen wore, in the same scene! 🕺🏼💃🏼
Thank you! That's an interesting point, the costume's here are great. I do prefer the colourful clothing that so often appeared in classic westerns. The muted tones that appear in so many more modern westerns might be more period accurate, but they aren't as fun.
@@HildebrandProductions
So true. Riverboat/saloon dandies/gamblers must have been her favourites. She could go to town with such dudes! 🎩
Thanks for another great review! I enjoy this film, and it has a lot going for it. I do like Rio Bravo a lot more though.
Thank you! 'Rio Bravo' is a hard one for almost any movie to beat.
Great review, Thanks!
Thank you!
Very good. Thanks
Thank you!
Good review!
Evidently, the screenwriter Leigh Brackett had said El Dorado in its original form was her best work she had ever done, but that as production was happening, Howard Hawks seemed to be just interested in doing Rio Bravo again, more or less…I would have to watch it again to be sure, but I have historically been one of those to find El DoRado under appreciated and perhaps even superior to Rio Bravo? But im not sure now…Both excellent films!!
I had heard she said that, the documentary "Ride, Boldly Ride: The Journey to El Dorado" is a great resource. I would be very curious to read her initial screenplay, or at least the novel "The Stars in Their Courses". I think the original plan for the film was to be a much more somber story, so the scenes revolving around Thornton shooting the young MacDonald boy are probably holdovers from that.
@@HildebrandProductions thanks for the rec and great review as always
The song 'My rifle, Pony and Me' is the same tune as the theme song in Red River. Howard Hawkes sure liked to recycle stuff.