User Reviews

In 1945 a movie critic called Jerome Courtland a most capable adolescent actor when he appeared alongside Shirley Temple in KISS AND TELL. The film was a hit for Columbia Pictures, but Courtland would not be able to capitalize on its success right away. In fact he did not make his next film at the studio until three years later. This is because he'd been drafted into the military at the end of the war. But Courtland's winning personality, sensible acting style and athleticism would not be forgotten.

When Courtland finished his military service in 1948 and went back to Hollywood, boss Harry Cohn handed him a series of assignments. Initially Courtland was cast as a second lead in B films or as support in A films. However, he was soon promoted to starring roles in B films; THE PALOMINO is one such example.

Typically Courtland favored musicals or comedies. He was the son of a professional singer and had decent vocal ability himself. Yet for an occasional change of pace, he'd turn up in a war flick or a western. THE PALOMINO is a modern day western in which Courtland is a young businessman who arrives in a California valley to buy cattle. However, he becomes involved with a female horse rancher (Beverly Tyler) and several men in the region.

Much of the film's action is given over to Courtland and Tyler fighting their attraction through a series of arguments. Tyler's dad recently died, and a crook in the area (Roy Roberts) and his henchman (Gordon Jones) are stealing her blind. Some of the theft is very cleverly done and has Roberts and Jones taking prized palominos from Tyler's stock and hiding them up in the mountains. One of the most valuable horses is a champion known as El Rey whose offspring fetch good prices.

Tyler has managed to keep one of the offspring, a young palomino named Duke, on her property. But naturally, Roberts and Jones covet that animal too and will do whatever it takes to get him. Courtland gets wise to their nefarious schemes with the help of Tyler's ranch hand. The ranch hand is an amusing Mexican fellow who likes to imbibe- played with considerable charm and flair by Joseph Calleia.

Though the plot is fairly routine and there are no huge surprises in terms of the outcome, the characters are so well-defined and so well portrayed by the cast, one can't help but be won over by what's on screen. In addition, there are some wonderful shots of the horses outdoors roaming free. And a big brawl at the end between Courtland and Roberts.

Harry Cohn's nephew Robert Cohn served as producer. Maybe due to nepotism, the younger Cohn was given a bit more budget for his project than most B westerns received. Instead of using the cheaper Cinecolor process, this picture is made in Technicolor and there are several sequences that show off the beauty of the Santa Susana Mountains.

One thing I especially enjoy about this film is that there are no interiors. The whole thing has been photographed outdoors during days with the cast (and the animals) basking in the warm sun and gentle winds. This is what I call a 'comfort movie.' Not every motion picture needs to contain shocking artistic compositions or Academy Award winning performances. Sometimes all a viewer needs is the presence of something good and familiar.