Review of Wagon Master

This movie is a typical John Ford effort, which is a good thing. It's main difference is that it doesn't have a dominant starring leading man.

Here's what I liked:

• Ben Johnson is great in this. He should have gotten more work, especially with Ford. I forget when, but they had a big falling out not long after they made this movie. Johnson wouldn't tolerate Ford's abusive behavior and walked off a set. Ford never hired him again. What a shame. He's the best thing about this movie.

• I just love the little unique world Ford creates in his movies. Yes, it's all a little hokie, but somehow he pulls it off. There's always a special warmth and humanity to Ford's films you just don't see anywhere else.

• The heavy is very well played by Charles Kemper (who sadly died in a car accident soon after the film was released). Just as good are his evil brood of four dim witted sons, including an interesting early role by James Arness.

• Great stunt work with the horses and wagons.

• Almost all of the rest of the supporting cast is excellent. Nice to see Alan Mowbray reprise his drunken thespian character from "My Darling Clementine". Joann Dru is growing on me. Even Harry Carey Jr., who is normally annoying, is good in this.

• The Indians are well handled. Nice little bit about how dancing can bring different types of people together. Once again the evidence of Ford's movies contradicts complaints about his alleged racism.

Here's what was not so good:

• Ward Bond is absurdly miscast as a Mormon spiritual leader. This must have been a joke by Ford, who was Bond's carousing drinking buddy in real life.

• "Town" Westerns are OK in black and white. It's just no good for desert landscapes.

• There's just not much to the plot. "Mormons on wagon train. Heavies ride along and threaten them. They kill heavies."