The Furies
Directed by Anthony Mann
Written by Charles Schnee from a novel by Nevin Busch
1950/USA
Hall Wallis Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Vance Jeffords: I don’t think I like being in love. It puts a bit in my mouth.[/box]
Barbara Stanwyck in a role that might have been written for her and Walter Huston’s swan song make this a movie well worth seeing.
T.C. Jeffords (Huston) is the larger-than-life owner of The Furies ranch. He lives life to the max scattering a flurry of IOUs known affectionately as “TCs” in his wake. Daughter Vance (Stanwyck) is an independent-minded daddy’s girl who wins her father’s heart mainly by sticking up for herself. Jefford’s son was more of a mama’s boy and Vance runs the ranch in her father’s absence.
T.C. is in constant need of bank loans. One of the conditions for his latest mortgage is that a number of Mexican-American squatters be evicted from his land. T.C. is willing but Vance insists that childhood friend Juan Herrera (Gilbert Roland) and his family be allowed to stay. The Herreras regard the land as their own ancestral property. T.C. gives his promise. He also promises Vance $50,000 on the condition that she marry someone he approves of.
Into this situation rides Rip Darrow (Wendell Corey). T.C. took prime acreage included in the ranch when he killed Darrow’s father. Vance is taken with the strong, silent gambler and invites him to court her. Finally he agrees to call on her at the Furies. When he does, he willingly accepts T.C.’s offer of the $50,000 in exchange for not marrying Vance.
T.C. travels to San Francisco and brings Flo Burnett back with him. Flo immediately begins to subtly take over. She convinces T.C. to evict the Herreras, hire a ranch manager, and send Vance off on a grand tour of Europe. The infuriated Vance strikes back and she and T.C. become mortal enemies. Much drama ensues. With Albert Dekker as a banker and Thomas Gomez and Wallace Ford as T.C. loyalists.
This handsomely shot film is reminiscent of Greek tragedy in its outsized emotions. Both Huston and Stanwyck are superb as are the supporting players. It’s more melodrama than Western but I enjoyed it for what it was.
This was Walter Huston’s final film. I’m sad to see him leave this journey. Vincent Milner was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White.
Trailer
