The Great Trail Drive Western

Red River (1948) is memorable for several reasons. Howard Hawks produced and directed a western that told the epic story of the cowboys who pushed the cowherds from the south to the cattle towns with railroads in Kansas. Its superlative cast includes John Wayne (John Ford said upon seeing it, "I didn't know that s.o.b could act!"), Walter Brennan, Montgomery Clift (in his first film role), John Ireland, and Noah Beery Jr., Harry Carey Sr., Hank Worden, and Harry Carey Jr.

Some special moments: Dunson (Wayne) parting with the woman he loves, Groot (Brennan) putting part interest in his dentures into a poker game--and losing, Cherry (Ireland) and Matt (Clift) sizing each other up while target practicing, the majestic shots of the trail drive, even the (contrived to some) ending has its charm. I feel that all those folks who appreciate great film-making should have a copy of this movie on their shelves. (It is easy to spot the typical anachronisms--such as using 1873 Colt Peacemakers long before they were introduced--but the cowhands definitely look the part.)

Here is a sound clip (Streaming RealMedia):

Dunson speaks to the cowhands about the drive.

The Red River Radio Production

While it certainly doesn't have the visual splendor of the motion picture, the radio version
features a steller cast: John Wayne, Jeff Chandler, Walter Brennan, and Joanne Dru.

Click on the link below to listen (Streaming RealMedia).

Red River Radio Production

Order Red River on Video/DVD!

For ordering information, check out these links:

VHS Video

DVD

Red River (1948) A Monterey Production Directed and Produced by Howard Hawks Screenplay by Borden Chase and Charles Schnee From the Saturday Evening Post Story by Borden Chase Music Composed and Directed by Dimitri Tiomkin Cinematographer......Russell Harlan, A.S.C. Co-director..........Arthur Rosson Film Editor..........Christian Nyby Art Director.........John Datu Arensma Sound................Richard DeWeese Music Recorder.......Vinton Vernon Makeup...............Lee Greenway Special Effects......Donald Steward Assistant Director...William McGarry Special Photographic Effects...Allan Thompson Production Manager...Norman Cook The Song "Settle Down" by Dimitri Tiomkin Cast: John Wayne.........Tom Dunson Montgomery Clift...Matthew 'Matt' Garth Joanne Dru.........Tess Millay Walter Brennan.....Groot Nadine John Ireland.......Cherry Valance Coleen Gray........Fen Harry Carey Sr.....Mr. Melville Noah Beery Jr......Buster McGee Harry Carey Jr.....Dan Latimer Chief Yowlachie....Quo Paul Fix...........Teeler Yacey Hank Worden........Sims Reeves Glenn Strange......Maylor Mickey Kuhn........the young Matt Paul Fiero.........Fernandez Tom Tyler..........A Quitter Ray Hyke...........Walt Jergens Dan White..........Laredo Hal Taliaferro (Wally Wales)...Old Leather Shelley Winters....Dancehall girl in wagon train Ivan Parry.........Bunk Kenneally Billy Self.........Wounded cowhand Lane Chandler......Colonel Lee Phelps.........Gambler George Lloyd.......Gambler Richard Farnsworth

Original Red River Posters

Recommended Movies and Books

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