I think Junior Bonner gets even better with repeated viewings. I've seen it 3 or 4 times over the years and each time I glean something new from it. The always good Steve McQueen is exceptional here as is the supporting cast of Robert Preston, Ida Lupino and Ben Johnson. The location shooting in Prescott Arizona adds authenticity to the story. At least once in the movie though the narrative indicates that Prescott is the home of the first rodeo. This is most likely not true. Santa Fe New Mexico lays claim to a rodeo performed there in 1847. Deer Trail Colorado dates a rodeo there in 1869. Pecos Texas lists a rodeo there in 1883. The first rodeo in Prescott Arizona wasn't until 1888. The public address announcer at the rodeos in the movie sounds like Ben Johnson, so far I have been unable to confirm this in looking at cast listings but I'm almost certain that it's his voice.
Review of Junior Bonner
