Ride Lonesome (1959)

Ride Lonesome
Directed by Budd Boetticher
Written by Burt Kennedy
1959/USA
Columbia Pictures Corporation/Ranown Pictures Corp.
First viewing/Netflix rental
#359 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] Sam Boone: There are some things a man just can’t ride around.[/box]

I have really enjoyed working my way through the Budd Boetticher-Randolph Scott Westerns.  This one didn’t disappoint.

As the movie begins, Ben Brigade (Scott) captures Billy John, a man with a price on his head and a hanging in his future.  He is taken prisoner but warns that his brother Frank (Lee Van Cleef) will free him and kill Brigade before they reach their destination.

On the way, Sam Boone (Pernell Roberts) and his sidekick Whit (James Coburn in his film debut) catch up to the pair.  Sam wants Billy John because there is also a promise of amnesty to the man who brings him in.  Brigade has no intention of giving his captive up but allows Sam and Whit to tag along.  They may come in handy if Frank appears. Completing the party is Mrs. Carrie Lane, who has recently been widowed by some Indians.

This is another in the line of Randolph Scott’s righteous, strong, silent loners.  This one is bent on vengeance as well.  Boetticher always keeps his Westerns very tight and his imagery striking.  He may err a little on the side of too much economy this time as I felt the very end wasn’t well prepared for in terms of character development.  Recommended to any Western lover.

Trailer