Canyon Passage *** (1946, Dana Andrews, Brian Donlevy, Susan Hayward, Patricia Roc, Hoagy Carmichael, Ward Bond, Andy Devine, Lloyd Bridges) – Classic Movie Review 10,618

Shop owner Logan Stuart (Dana Andrews) clashes with slimy financier George Camrose (Brian Donlevy), after the latter’s fiancée Lucy Overmire (Susan Hayward) falls for the former and one of Donlevy’s bank clients is killed.

The 1946 Canyon Passage is the usual Western mix of three parts action, one part romance, one part scenery and a dash of song (Hoagy Carmichael’s ‘Rogue River Jack’ and ‘Ol’ Buttermilk Sky’) though it is well stirred by horror director Jacques Tourneur and looking spruce in gorgeous Technicolor.

The acting is above average too from this excellent cast, and there is a very good production from Walter Wanger Productions, with distinguished Technicolor cinematography from Edward Cronjager, a strong score by Frank Skinner and fine production designs by John B Goodman.

Ernest Pascal and William Fosche’s screenplay is based on a typical story by Ernest Haycox, the writer of Stagecoach.

It also stars Patricia Roc as Caroline Marsh, Hoagy Carmichael as Hi Linnet, Ward Bond as Honey Bragg, Andy Devine as Ben Dance, and Lloyd Bridges as Johnny Steele.

Also in the cast are Victor Cutler, Rose Hobart, Halliwell Hobbes, Stanley Ridges, Dorothy Peterson, Fay Holden, Ray Teal, Chief Yowlachi, Wallace Scott, Dick Alexander, Daral Hudson, Jack Clifford, Karl Hackett, Gene Stutenroth, Joseph P Mack, Jack Rockwell, Ralph Peters, Erville Alderson, Francis McDonald, Virginia Patten, James Cardwell, Onslow Stevens, Dennis Devine, Tad Devine, Jay Silverheels, Peter Whitney, Harry Shannon, Wallace Scott, Gene Roth, Virginia Patton, Mary Newton, Rex Lease, Jack Ingram, Sherry Hall, Janet Ann Gallow, Frank Ferguson, Eddie Dunn, Chester Clute and Harlan Briggs.

Lloyd Bridges worked again with director Tourneur in the Western Wichita (1955). Dana Andrews worked again with Tourneur on Night of the Demon (1957) and The Fearmakers (1958).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,618

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