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Reviews
The One Eyed Soldiers (1967)
Exceptionally banal, colorless film.
Being an undying (at least I hope so) fan of Dale Robertson's, who I think needed a jolt of his younger man's enthusiasm here, I bought an inexpensive version of this film in Spanish, of which I can parse out a few words here and there. I don't want to hear it in English. Dale, who I really like, was all too grim and stiff in this film to be likeable. I didn't get to hear his voice, as it was dubbed in Spanish, but that was all I feel I missed in my version. Luciana is a wimpy heroine, and I don't like female nudity, or whipping scenes. Stupid! On all levels, insulting to the intelligence of a two-year-old, The One-Eyed Soldiers lost whatever virtue it may have had from that scene on. Dale's own production company produced this movie, and I guess he thought he had to star in it. He was a better actor than this film, and a much better man! He should have held out for some decent, homey pictures, instead of this schlock stuff. It bothers me that he thought so little of himself that he didn't. I'm a huge Tales of Wells Fargo fan, and this film in comparison is a weak, dim bit of forgettable celluloid. I can't rank it above a two, and that only because some of the actions scenes are good and the locales are intriguing. A waste of Dale's potential. He never knew when he was short-changing his own talent. A shame a better agent than himself didn't intervene in his work at this time in his career. A better movie of this era is Blood on the Arrow. I recommend watching it instead.
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: A Tale of Wells Fargo (1956)
Fun story!
Likeable, well-acted story introducing us to a gifted actor, Dale Robertson, in his main role, Jim Hardie, a troubleshooter for Wells Fargo. He's funny and physical in this 'tale.' He kids with his female costar in a mildly suggestive way. He's like a breath of fresh air in movies and TV, as Dale was a really fine natural actor. As the first reviewer said, the story is an ordinary western, but it's acted in such a lively way by both stars that it's fun to watch. I myself won't forget it, a worthy beginning for a classic TV show, Tales of Wells Fargo.
Tales of Wells Fargo: The Dowry (1961)
One of the best semi-love stories in TOWF.
Jim is smitten by a young Lisa Gaye, whom he must protect along with her dowry. On a steamer in Louisiana, they dance, talk and seemingly fall in love, but there's a hitch to that. I won't reveal it, but, as ever, Jim ends up friends with the lady. There can be no more to it than that. A darling story and Jim's last as the intrepid Wells Fargo troubleshooter. Sidenote: Lisa Gaye, nearly ten years older, played Dale's wife in a Death Valley Days episode, Tracey's Triumph, so they did get married after all!
Tales of Wells Fargo: John Jones (1961)
Ordinary, but uplifted by acting.
Interesting story as it highlights Jim's feelings about his work versus getting married and settling down. He 'wins' Zita to marry, but explains kindly that he is unable to choose marriage over work at this time. Zita is not in love with him, but both end up good friends, as Jim frequently does with his lady characters. It's worth watching for their intimate talk -- just talk -- together.
Tales of Wells Fargo: Bitter Vengeance (1961)
Grim, hard-hitting episode
Probably the most uncompromisingly episode of TOWF, but all the better for it. Jim is wounded by a friend's son as he tries to take the boy in without a gun. Jim's now in no mood to play with the smart-aleck, nor with the greedy family he comes to for help. Wounded, sick, he wants bandages, some dinner and a shaving kit to make him feel human again. He's in the closest thing to a 'killing' mood that the affable Jim Hardie ever was. I liked this episode for its stark realism.
Aru heishi no kake (1970)
A warm-hearted, kind film that leaves you feeling good.
A hidden gem of a film about paying for an error of judgment. Dale R. plays a soldier who must atone for what he caused to happen to one small boy. He takes an 876-mile walk to raise money for the boy's orphanage. Plenty of sweet fun and little Japanese kids (who all seem to love Dale and mob him every chance they get). Some gorgeous scenery. Nice music. Heart-warming, but sad at the end. A grown-up film in the best sense of the words.
Blood on the Arrow (1964)
Good movie with a lot of action.
Dale R. is at his best in the softer, kinder scenes with Martha Hyer and the boy. The movie is more enjoyable then. He was a likable man and his films are at their best when he is being wise or kind. You get a sense that he could really love Nancy and Tim as his own family. He is a bit too heroic for a murderer/thief, but Dale usually played a villain who is reformed by the end of the movie. Check out City of Bad Men, which is a better film.
Run for Your Life (1965)
A odd, but interesting show
I just saw my first (and hope not the last) Run For Your Life show. I'm a bit of a fugitive in my life, too, running from myself most of the time. I liked the Fugitive series almost too much, even writing three stories on the character and theme. I liked the Incredible Hulk and the A-Team, two other shows with a 'running' and hiding theme. All the main characters in these shows are pursued by a man (or by death, as in RFYL) who represents a strong authority, and who wants to destroy the characters in some way. What's stronger than death? An element of blame in these stories exists, too, where the innocent (a dying man, or criminally innocent men) face certain death & daily disruptions of their lives because of the authority figure (a metaphor for a strong government?). Watching the disruptions these characters must experience is a lot like watching our own times. We're innocents, under the strong authority of Others, running, hiding, trying to live out our lives decently, but always being chased into corners (try balking the tax man!).