Hondo
Directed by John Farrow
Written by James Edward Grant from a story by Louis L’Amour
1953/USA
Warner Bros/Wayne-Fellows Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Hondo Lane: A man oughta do what he thinks is best.[/box]
This workmanlike Western is notable as the screen debut of Geraldine Page.
Hondo Lane (John Wayne) lived with the Apache for some time and had an Apache wife until she died. Lately he has been working off and on as an Indian Scout for the cavalry. While on patrol, his horse goes lame and he stops at the farm of Lowe farm for help. Angie Lowe (Geraldine Page) claims her husband is off tending to some sick cattle and will return any minute. The couple’s six-year-old son cannot be discouraged from petting Hondo’s wary dog. Hondo exchanges farm labor for Angie’s help. When he leaves, he encourages her to evacuate with her son as some Apache are on the warpath. Angie maintains they have always had good relations with the Indians and have nothing to fear.
Angie is wrong, of course, and is soon visited by an angry band of Apache. Luckily for her, their leader Vittorio admires the courage of the little boy and makes him a blood brother. Angie is later ordered to pick a brave as her husband as the Apache believe him to be dead. She is given a reprieve until planting season.
The remainder of the film is devoted to several action sequences and a romance between Hondo and Angie. With Ward Bond as Hondo’s buddy.
This is a serviceable Western. I always like Geraldine Page and she adds a lot of depth to the romance. This was her film debut. I don’t really have anything else to say about the movie. If you like Westerns, it’s a pretty good one.
Page received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress. L’Amour’s story was originally nominated then withdrawn when it was revealed it had come from the author’s published magazine story.
Trailer
