Review of Johnny Guitar (1954) by James H — 26 Mar 2010

The title character, played by Sterling Hayden, is a guitar-playing drifter who once the lover of saloon-owner Vienna, played by Joan Crawford. She owns an establishment that while doesn't make a dime is still in business because the railroad is going to come in soon which would bring in a lot of new customers. This puts her up against rancher Emma Small, played by Mercedes McCambridge, who doesn't want any new settlers on her land. Emma hates Vienna with a passion and will anything to driver her out of her territory and what's worse is that she has the law and many other ranchers beside her. Vienna hires Johnny Guitar, who unbeknownst to everyone else is a notorious gunslinger. Though Johnny is very much ready shoot if the need arises he'd rather just bide wait for a favorable opportunity for Emma to strike before he makes his move. Vienna endures several life-threatening experiences that culminates with a chase through the Arizona country the lynch-happy Emma in hot pursuit and the climactic duel between Vienna and Emma.

Johnny Guitar is a unique western directed by the great Nicholas Ray. It is unique because it is one of the strangest westerns ever put on film, at least the first half hour is rather strange mainly it's dialogue which almost seems more like a film noir than a western. But after that comes a thrilling, entertaining and utterly exciting film. It is very much a pre-feminist film. The two leading actors in the film are women and both are extremely strong especially the lynch-crazy Emma. Sterling Hayden delivers his lines like his typical self and Joan Crawford is hard to look away. Mercedes McCambridge, while slightly overacting a little too much, still does a pretty decent job and is believably crazy. The choice to have Joan Crawford at one point dress in a red shirt and blue denim jeans is really striking and Nicholas Ray would repeat it in his followup Rebel Without a Cause. This is definitely one of the best westerns and is easily one of the most unique. Such an entertaining movie! 10/10.