Bullfighter and the Lady *** (1951, Robert Stack, Joy Page, Gilbert Roland, Katy Jurado, Virginia Grey, John Hubbard) – Classic Movie Review 7446

This interesting but mainly routine romantic action drama movie is intriguingly co-written, produced and directed by cult favourite Budd Boetticher. It is also intriguing that John Wayne was executive producer and John Ford an uncredited advisor.

Robert Stack stars as an American adventurer called Johnny Regan who goes to Mexico to learn bullfighting from matador Manolo Estrada (Gilbert Roland) to impress a local lady, Anita de la Vega (Joy Page).

In the movie’s favour are the sterling lead performances of Stack and Roland, the dynamic bullfighting scenes, and cinematographer Jack Draper’s beautifully photographed black and white images of the local colour. It also stars Katy Jurado, Virginia Grey and John Hubbard. It is a tempting cast.

But the uneven support acting and the swingeing cuts (of more than 30 minutes) the Republic studio made for the original release at 87 minutes seriously harm it, though Boetticher’s splendid original 124-minute version has now been restored, revealing a remarkable film. This is now highly regarded.

Also in the cast are Ismael Perez, Rodlofo Acosta, Ruben Padilla, Dario Ramirez and Antonio Gomez.

Bullfighter and the Lady is directed by Budd Boetticher, runs 87 minutes, is made by John Wayne Productions and Republic Pictures, is released by Republic Pictures, is written by James Edward Grant (screenplay), Budd Boetticher (story) and Ray Nazzaro (story), is shot in black and white by Jack Draper, is produced by John Wayne (executive producer) and Budd Boetticher, is scored by Victor Young, and is designed by Alfred Ybarra.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7446

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