Sugarfoot *** (1951, Randolph Scott, Raymond Massey, Adele Jergens, S Z Sakall, Robert Warwick, Arthur Hunnicutt, John Hamilton, Hugh Sanders) – Classic Movie Review 7416

Director Edwin L Marin’s 1951 Sugarfoot is a grippingly told, action-packed Technicolor Western, set down Arizona way, and starring Randolph Scott, Raymond Massey and Adele Jergens. Fast moving and sure footed, it is written by Russell S Hughes (adaptation) from the novel by Clarence Budington Kelland.

Sparks rise when former Rebel colonel, Jackson ‘Sugarfoot’ Redan (Scott), arrives in Arizona on a wagon train in 1866 and meets up again with his one-time nemesis and sworn enemy, Jacob Stint (Massey), now an opportunistic drifter. S Z Sakall plays local town merchant businessman Don Miguel Wormser, who partners Sugarfoot, Hugh Sanders plays their competitor Asa Goodhue, and Adele Jergens is the heroine, saloon girl Reva Cairn.

The admirable Scott and Massey are first-rate sparring partners in this short (it is just 80 minutes long), taut, fine, gripping Western that represents more high ground for the impressive Scott trail in the Fifties.

Also in the strong Western cast are Robert Warwick, Arthur Hunnicutt, John Hamilton, Hugh Sanders, Frank Worden, Hope Landin, Gene Evans, Cliff Clark, Edward Hearn, Kenneth MacDonald, Philo McCullough, Paul Newlan and Dan White.

Sugarfoot (aka Swirl of Glory) is directed by Edwin L Marin, runs 80 minutes, is made and released by Warner Bros, is written by Russell S Hughes (adaptation) from the novel by Clarence Budington Kelland, is shot in Technicolor by Wilfred M Kline, is produced by Saul Elkins, is scored by Max Steiner and is designed by Stanley Fleischer.

Warner Bros re-used the title for its 1957 TV series Sugarfoot and changed the film’s title to the idiotic Swirl of Glory to avoid confusion, but happily it has returned to its original title. Incidentally, the TV series was inspired by a different Western, Michael Curtiz’s The Boy from Oklahoma (1954) with Will Rogers Jr.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7416

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