Review of Johnny Guitar (1954) by Donna S — 15 Mar 2009
Steely, gambling-house proprietor Vienna (Joan Crawford), is biding her time, waiting for the railroad to come her way, so a town can build up around her saloon. Local, mannish, rancher, Emma (Mercedes McCambridge), hates her guts. Not just because she's seemingly the only other woman in town, but because Vienna is "friends" with gang leader The Dancin' Kid (Scott Brady) who Emma not only believes killed her brother, but who she also blames for giving her these strange, tingling, womanly feelings.
Naturally, The Dancing Kid and Vienna must die.
Nicholas Ray directed this strange Technicolor melodrama with his customary, gaudy flair. The supporting cast is great, even though Sterling Hayden, as gunslinger-without-a-gun Johnny Guitar is frequently oak-ish.
Gets an extra 1/2 star for having The Mighty Borgnine and The Mighty Ward Bond in the cast.
This review of Johnny Guitar (1954) was written by Donna S on 15 Mar 2009.
Johnny Guitar has generally received very positive reviews.
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