Anyone who doesn't believe that the US engages in propaganda needs to see this film. This film, made during the McCarthy era with the aid of the US government, seems like it could have been scripted by Joseph McCarthy himself. John Wayne and James Arness are HUAC investigators out to break up a communist cell in Hawaii. There is no actual discussion of what communism IS, only that it is pure evil and must be stopped at all costs. The pair take the time to visit aging ma and pa farmers who give what is supposed to be a heart-rending account of how their son turned to communism, bit the scene only evokes laughter. Hilarious dialogue includes the Duke's line, "I wanted to hit you, but now I see you're a little guy. That's the difference between us -- we don't hit the little guy." While I am giving this film a rating of 3 out of 10, I actually recommend seeing it. The rating is based on the quality of the film, but this unabashedly gung ho movie definitely fits in the "so bad it's good" category.
Review of Big Jim McLain
