Dakota

It's interesting to follow John Wayne's career progress, from the early Lone Star Western days up through the leading roles he's most famous for in the Sixties and Seventies. Here, in "Dakota", and in other films of the era, he probably appeared at his best in terms of rugged good looks and athletic skill. He cuts an impressive figure, particularly with leading lady Vera Ralston by his side to smooth out the rougher edges. The film itself isn't particularly noteworthy for it's story line, a theme that's been done time and again in the genre. Evil land grabbers attempt to swindle hard working honest folks out of their wheat farms just before the railroad comes through so they can cash in for the quick kill. Ward Bond portrays the main bad guy with subtle malice as he engineers the land swindle, while pro boxer/wrestler/strong man Mike Mazurki is his top henchman. Bond's character Jim Bender in particular is a much smoother characterization than one is used to seeing in these types of oaters; more than one wheat farmer commented on how honest he seemed to be with his calm demeanor and dialog. The picture gets off to a wild start as John Devlin (Wayne) elopes with Sandy Poli (Ralston), as they manage to outrun her father who disapproves of the already completed marriage. In a well crafted scene, Marko Poli (Hugo Haas) turns the tenor of the early story on a dime as he comically attempts to send off a telegram to the daughter that got away. The scene sets the stage for additional comic relief, primarily supplied by Walter Brennan in a wonderful portrayal of the 'River Bird' Captain Bounce. Most of the time Bounce can be heard talking to himself in the colorful language he's known for, and it's a hoot to catch his antics, particularly in the grounded riverboat scene. Nick Stewart is the captain's sidekick, his gimmick is a constant handkerchief wipe of face and brow that signals a nervous twitch. His black character is somewhat stereotypical in presentation, but not as racially charged as mentioned elsewhere in this forum. Probably the worst that can be said about it is that it resembles a 'Step 'n Fetchit' type of portrayal, though it comes in handy for Wayne's character later in the story to signal the bad guys on the move. There's a neat device near the finale when Devlin goes after Collins (Mazurki). While pushing through the door of the cabin, Devlin pulls Collins' hat down over his face prior to bashing him. That's a move I hadn't seen before. Probably the most unusual and in it's way most refreshing element of the story is the way Ralston's character keeps one step ahead of her new husband by pulling the strings on their future together. With his eye set on California, Devlin never makes it as the Mrs. manages to shanghai his plans every step along the way. It's also on that note that the movie ends, with the Captain's refurbished riverboat horn drowning out Devlin's protest against another one of her manufactured schemes.

This is not an award winning movie by any means- but with the fast paced action, this was a western that was enjoyable to watch. Some western movies move slow as it builds up excitement as the plot may have two or three action packed segments. However, this tale moves from one situation to another never slowing down for a rest making the movie seem even shorter than the 80 minute length. John Wayne and Vera Ralston worked well together with Wayne beginning that swagger that he was so famous for in later films. This being a low budget film, there are some rough spots in production. The use of very obvious backdrops and sound-stage fake backgrounds made the film look cheap but the story still held up well. An entertaining film that kept the viewer's attention from beginning to end.

John Wayne's last film for Republic during the war years is one of his worst westerns, not counting the B-westerns he made during the 30s before his breakthrough with Stagecoach. The film goes through the motions, but the plot is muddled and the writing lacks inspiration. Wayne is not helped by the rest of the cast. Vera Ralston lacks acting skills. Even Walter Brennan, who other reviewers praise, seemed tiresome to me. His comic relief routine with Nick Stewart received way too much screen time here. Lackluster and dull, only for John Wayne completists.

Most of the cast are hand picked regulars for a wayne western and it moves along pretty fast mostly because of the contrived occurrences like grant wither robbing wayne of his 20 grand while on the riverboat and like the over hearing their plans by ward bond, the bullying by mike marzurki and paul fix because they all work for ward bond ... wayne has to overcome all the chicanery and be smarter to beat the crooks at their own game ... vera ralston isn't much help but i didn't have any difficulty following her dialogue ... it was well worth the watch

"Dakota" is not a perfect movie but it's still a fun watch. It does have a few dated elements to it but they're mostly forgiven. John Wayne is in fine form. He's given a lot of good lines and he delivers them well. His supporting cast is also good. His leading lady, Vera Ralston, is equal parts annoying/dreamy. With the exception of one forgettable song, the movie moves well. I'm a big fan of John Wayne. I watch his movies all of the time. I don't watch "Dakota" nearly as often as I watch his other films. But when I do watch it, I always enjoy it.

Many reviewers complain about Vera Ralston's acting in this film and others. I thought this former ice skating queen did an OK job playing her role. She is supposed to be the elegant daughter of an immigrant father who struck it rich in railroads. This explains her foreign accent and the fact that she is unlike those sexy dance hall girls of Fargo. Wayne appears to have married her mainly for her wealthy connections, looks and good pedigree. She appears to have married him for his good looks and charismatic personality. She is determined to call the shots when it comes to deciding where they will live, both near the beginning and at the end of the film. When they run away from her disapproving father, Wayne tells her to buy tickets to CA, but she buys tickets to St. Paul, knowing that her father's railroad is planning to soon begin a line to Fargo. She hopes to buy land cheap from the farmers and sell it dear to her father's railroad. Unfortunately, Ward Bond and gang have the same idea. Bond assumed the railroad was soon coming to Fargo because he saw their surveyors. He also assumes that Wayne is a land buying agent for the railroad(until late in the film, when the real agent shows up). Bond hammers out a contract with most of the farmers that he gets their land if they can't repay the money he loans them to harvest and market their wheat. He plans to burn their wheat, a variation on a similar scene in "The Westerner", when cattlemen were trying to burn out the sod busters. Wayne threatens to pressure the railroad to via Grand Forks, instead of Fargo, unless Bond signs over his contract with the farmers to Wayne(and presumably the railroad) for a big discount compared to the amount Bond was planning to sell the contract to the railroad. Wayne plans to share his profit with the farmers, should the farmers be unable to repay their loans. Bond hopes to steal the contract back from a deceased Wayne, delete the part about Wayne being the new contract owner and then burn the wheat fields. See the film to find out how things turn out. Walter Brennan plays a goofy old riverboat captain who mostly talks to his boat or himself or shouts at his assistant, Nichodemis. He practically steals the show. Nick Stewart, as Nichodemis, plays his stock character:a sleepy, incredibly slow thinking "darkie". He was Lightin' in the Amos & Andy TV series.

DAKOTA is a surprisingly decent John Wayne western, well-shot in 1945 and featuring the famous actor playing a small-time gambler who elopes with his love to the West, only to discover that his intended homestead is controlled by a pair of criminals who are up to all kinds of no good in order to keep an iron grip on the land. Conflict ensues. Despite some indifferent reviews, I thought this film told its story very effectively and with a maximum of intrigue and excitement. Wayne gives a fine fine and assured performance as the smooth hero and Vera Ralston matches him as a love interest you can get behind. Ward Bond and Mike Mazurki make an imposing couple of villains and the rest of the cast is full of familiar faces and/or larger than life characters. There's not really a wealth of action here, but that which does occur is great fun; the hold up on the river boat and the climactic shoot-out are the highlights.

"There's nothing in California but flowers and everyone knows flowers give you hay fever" Vera states before the fisticuffs. However, Ward Bond and Mike Mazurki come to the rescue. John Wayne is on the run but he has a gorgeous accomplice. Walter Brennan as Captain Bounce couldn't have played it better. A gambler and a railroad tycoon's daughter making their way to Fargo mingled with scoundrels and duplicitous men makes for a great action-packed adventure.

John Wayne marries the daughter of a millionaire, Vera Ralston and things get off to a bang from the get go. Papa is on the chase shooting in the opening scene and the action is just beginning. Ward Bond and tough guy Mike Mazurki as 'Bigtree' Collins also have it in for the leading man. Walter Brennan as Captain Bounce is a reluctant but highly spirited participant in the ensuing ruckus. Does love conquer all in this western romantic adventure. All I can say is the ending opens that up to interpretation and watching this action packed classic makes it well worth the wait.

. . . Vera Hruba Ralston brings DAKOTA to vivid life, acting circles around her co-stars Walter Brennan and John Wayne, in many critics' opinions. If Ms. Ralston had been the mistress of a Major Axis Figure, such as Hitler or Mussolini, American Movie Studio Heads might have felt that she was carrying too much personal baggage for her supporting players such as Brennan and Wayne to lug (this dichotomy is literally pictured on-screen here in DAKOTA'S first scene). But just as this opening incident of DAKOTA illustrates, Ms. Ralston is particularly adept at jettisoning excess carry-ons in favor of winging it Au Naturel. That's right, Vera's portrayal of "Chicago Sandy" is so convincing that she hardly needs to be tricked out in period costumes, make-up, and wigs. One can just as easily picture Chicago Sandy as a working gal, brazenly baring everything as she murmurs Sweet Nothings into a john's ear. With such a star turn by Ms. Ralston, viewers may not even notice as the Dakotas are burned down to cinders around her, including the City of Fargo and all of the wheat farmers' homes, along with their crops. Wayne's bumbling may have gotten most of Fargo's population killed, but at least no one is wood-chipped to death in DAKOTA, as America exclaims, "Hubba, Hubba, Hruba!"