With John Wayne working at republic studios throughout much of the 1940's, it was inevitable that he would end up working with the boss's wife, Vera Hruba Ralston (Yates). As the Norma shearer of Republic studios, Ralston had a very busy lineup of the studio's a pictures, often box office flops because the public just didn't seem to take to her. But when you pair someone with the Duke, it is bound to be a hit, irregardless. There are normally two camps to the impact of Ralston on screen, those who find her bland and strangely unphotographable and others who seem more sympathetic and find her a fascinating failure.
While none of her films are classics, "Dakota" is well remembered because of Wayne's presents in it, and as a gambler who marries wealthy Hugo Haas's daughter (Veta), he escapes from the controlling father-in-law by heading west. Wayne wants to go to California, but Paramount apparently had that title already planned for a Barbara Stanwyck movie, so they end up in Dakota territory instead. it's quite an adventurous journey just to get there, with riverboat Captain Walter Brennan basically blowing the boat up and Wayne robbed of his dowry before they even reached dry land. Then, Wayne must go up against land barons Mike Mazurki and Ward Bond who want to keep the railroad from coming through and thus control the territory. Even though mazurki is named sheriff, it is obvious that in spite of his claim that he intends to preserve law and order, corruption will be the name of his game.
There are lots of fists flying, guns shooting and petticoats wiggling, that occurring through the presence of Ona Munson as a feisty saloon entertainer. This would be considered on a film from Republic's releases in 1945, and it's an enjoyable example of why westerns were so popular during this time. Wayne and Ralston seem to work well together, but it is Brennan, Mazurki and briefly Munson who get the best moments on screen. Brennan is not a sidekick comic relief, but he does provide the laughs, and Mazurki is a terrific villain. The fact that the setting is Fargo will provide some amusement for viewers who remember the classic Coen brothers movie.
While none of her films are classics, "Dakota" is well remembered because of Wayne's presents in it, and as a gambler who marries wealthy Hugo Haas's daughter (Veta), he escapes from the controlling father-in-law by heading west. Wayne wants to go to California, but Paramount apparently had that title already planned for a Barbara Stanwyck movie, so they end up in Dakota territory instead. it's quite an adventurous journey just to get there, with riverboat Captain Walter Brennan basically blowing the boat up and Wayne robbed of his dowry before they even reached dry land. Then, Wayne must go up against land barons Mike Mazurki and Ward Bond who want to keep the railroad from coming through and thus control the territory. Even though mazurki is named sheriff, it is obvious that in spite of his claim that he intends to preserve law and order, corruption will be the name of his game.
There are lots of fists flying, guns shooting and petticoats wiggling, that occurring through the presence of Ona Munson as a feisty saloon entertainer. This would be considered on a film from Republic's releases in 1945, and it's an enjoyable example of why westerns were so popular during this time. Wayne and Ralston seem to work well together, but it is Brennan, Mazurki and briefly Munson who get the best moments on screen. Brennan is not a sidekick comic relief, but he does provide the laughs, and Mazurki is a terrific villain. The fact that the setting is Fargo will provide some amusement for viewers who remember the classic Coen brothers movie.