Cimarron * (1960, Glenn Ford, Maria Schell, Anne Baxter, Arthur O’Connell, Vic Morrow, Russ Tamblyn, Mercedes McCambridge) – Classic Movie Review 6488

Director Anthony Mann’s 1961 remake of the classic 1931 Western film Cimarron, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, is slow, overblown and empty, running a plodding 147 minutes. It is a real disappointment, despite having the right cast with Glenn Ford, Maria Schell and Anne Baxter, and the right director, all in their prime.

But, alas, the fairly miserable effort is totally let down by Arnold Schulman’s feeble screenplay that is notably inferior to that in the first version. It is slightly saved by the reliable professionalism of the cast and crew.

Also in the impressive and effective cast are Lili Darvas, Russ Tamblyn, Harry Morgan, David Opatoshu, Charles McGraw, Aline MacMahon, Edgar Buchanan, Arthur O’Connell, Vic Morrow, Mercedes McCambridge, Robert Keith, Mary Wickes, Vladimir Sokoloff, Royal Dano and L Q Jones as Millis.

It is shot in Metrocolor by Robert L Surtees, produced by Edmund Grainger, scored by Franz Waxman, and designed by George W Davis and Addison Hehr.

Edna Ferber (1887-1968) is known for her work on Stage Door (1937), Show Boat (1951) and especially Giant (1956).

Harry Morgan: 1915-2011.

Ford and Schell grew close during filming but were not speaking to each other by the time of the premiere in Oklahoma.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6488

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