Stagecoach *** (1966, Ann-Margret, Alex Cord, Bing Crosby, Van Heflin) – Classic Movie Review 12,914

The 1966 Western film Stagecoach with Ann-Margret, Alex Cord, Bing Crosby and Van Heflin is a more than acceptable if unnecessary remake of the 1939 John Wayne classic.

Director Gordon Douglas’s 1966 Western film Stagecoach stars Ann-Margret, Alex Cord, Bing Crosby, and Van Heflin. It is a more than acceptable if arguably unnecessary remake of the 1939 John Ford classic Stagecoach with John Wayne.

Ideally cast Bing Crosby and Van Heflin do well in the old Thomas Mitchell and George Bancroft roles of boozy medic Doc Boone and Curley. A charming Ann-Margret makes much of the part of the prostitute, good-time girl Dallas, who is protected by the hero.

The movie’s other assets include a long roster of old-time favourites (Slim Pickens, Robert Cummings, Red Buttons, Keenan Wynn), the colourful Colorado scenery, William H Clothier’s distinguished colour cinematography, Jerry Goldsmith’s score and Gordon Douglas’s ultra-professional, no-nonsense direction. Joseph Landon’s script is based on Ernest Haycox’s story Stage to Lordsburg.

The main minuses are Alex Cord’s lack of charisma in Wayne’s old role as the Ringo Kid and the evident absence of the kind of genius touch that John Ford showed in 1939. However, as a stand-alone film, it works well as just a highly proficient potboiler Western, and it is very welcome for that.

It is remade again in 1986 with Kris Kristofferson, Elizabeth Ashley, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

The cast are Ann-Margret, Alex Cord, Bing Crosby, Van Heflin, Slim Pickens, Robert Cummings, Red Buttons, Keenan Wynn, Stefanie Powers, Michael Connors, Brad Weston, and Joseph Hoover.

Stagecoach is directed by Gordon Douglas, runs 115 minutes, is made and released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Joseph Landon, based on Ernest Haycox’s story Stage to Lordsburg, is shot in colour and widescreen by William H Clothier, is produced by Martin Rackin, and scored by Jerry Goldsmith.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 12,914

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