This is really quite a remarkable picture, reminiscent more of the Warners Brothers films of the era than something Republic Pictures might have put out. Nominally it's considered a Western (I saw it today on the Encore Western Channel), but the only connection to that genre it has would be it's setting, as itinerant farm workers battle Dust Bowl situations in their settled home land only to be forced to move once again when conditions conspire against them. Leading the charge as it were, is John Wayne in a role that has him confronting the elements, along with a hostile contingent that opposes his choice of destination (Oregon) for the sunny climes of California. The story is wrapped around a budding romance between Wayne's character, and that of Sigrid Gurie as Leni Braun, daughter of an Austrian refugee, both of whom escaped the rise of Naziism in 1940's Europe. The story is complicated even further when it's discovered that Leni's former fiancé (Roland Varno), presumed dead the past two years, resurfaces to place his claim on Leni's heart once again.
That last aspect of the picture just mentioned is somewhat troubling when one considers the initial premise of the story. Dr. Eric Von Scherer (Varno) presumably gave his life to help the Braun's escape from tyranny to the United States under a sanctuary program for refugee doctors. He turns up in the latter part of the picture attempting to convince the Braun's that life now under the Reich would be highly advantageous if they returned to Europe. The disconnect blows by pretty quickly, but if you know anything about history, the scene will have you going 'huh?' more than once before it's over. However it leads directly to Leni and John Phillips (Wayne) reconciling their feelings for each other, thereby allowing the movie to close on the Duke and his girl exchanging nuptials for the happy ending.
Followers of John Wayne's early films will note that this was one of the rare occasions that you got to catch the up and coming legend in a jacket and tie! I've only seen that once before in 1933's "His Private Secretary". Once in his element though, Wayne's character is pretty much as you would recall him from his early Lone Star and Republic Days, dressed in pioneer attire and ruggedly individualistic. The romance with Sigrid Gurie's character plays a lot more emotionally than virtually all of his prior pictures, and it's rather intriguing to see him remain stoic through the heart wrenching scenes. Gurie was quite convincing as the torn lover between a loyal past and a bright future; her decision was made somewhat easier by the developments described earlier.
One has to assume that the title of the movie represents Wayne's character along with the Braun's, otherwise it doesn't make much sense, though that didn't stop the naming of dozens of era pictures with no connection to their title. I managed to catch this one today on Encore Western's self proclaimed 'John Wayne 101' celebration in honor of his 101st birthday. I don't know if the film is commercially available, but it would be worth your while to scour the cable channels for this listing if you're a Wayne fan. It steps just outside of the early mainstream for The Duke, and offers a more introspective character than one is used to seeing in his earlier films.
That last aspect of the picture just mentioned is somewhat troubling when one considers the initial premise of the story. Dr. Eric Von Scherer (Varno) presumably gave his life to help the Braun's escape from tyranny to the United States under a sanctuary program for refugee doctors. He turns up in the latter part of the picture attempting to convince the Braun's that life now under the Reich would be highly advantageous if they returned to Europe. The disconnect blows by pretty quickly, but if you know anything about history, the scene will have you going 'huh?' more than once before it's over. However it leads directly to Leni and John Phillips (Wayne) reconciling their feelings for each other, thereby allowing the movie to close on the Duke and his girl exchanging nuptials for the happy ending.
Followers of John Wayne's early films will note that this was one of the rare occasions that you got to catch the up and coming legend in a jacket and tie! I've only seen that once before in 1933's "His Private Secretary". Once in his element though, Wayne's character is pretty much as you would recall him from his early Lone Star and Republic Days, dressed in pioneer attire and ruggedly individualistic. The romance with Sigrid Gurie's character plays a lot more emotionally than virtually all of his prior pictures, and it's rather intriguing to see him remain stoic through the heart wrenching scenes. Gurie was quite convincing as the torn lover between a loyal past and a bright future; her decision was made somewhat easier by the developments described earlier.
One has to assume that the title of the movie represents Wayne's character along with the Braun's, otherwise it doesn't make much sense, though that didn't stop the naming of dozens of era pictures with no connection to their title. I managed to catch this one today on Encore Western's self proclaimed 'John Wayne 101' celebration in honor of his 101st birthday. I don't know if the film is commercially available, but it would be worth your while to scour the cable channels for this listing if you're a Wayne fan. It steps just outside of the early mainstream for The Duke, and offers a more introspective character than one is used to seeing in his earlier films.