Four Faces West

Although Joel McCrea, as Ross McEwen, plays a small town bank robber in NM, this is not a shoot 'em up type western. As others have noted, no bullets nor arrows are fired, nor brawls instigated. Also,there's no cattle stampede or drive. It's a remarkably peaceable story, although there are a couple of stick ups. It was shot in crisp B&W, and the mostly rocky or sandy terrain is photogenic. It was shot mostly in several NM locations, including Inscription Rock, or in Red Rock Canyon, CA. Joel is his usual laconic self. So, what does this screenplay offer that's of interest? It tells the story of an atypical bank robbery by a lone gunman, in broad daylight, with lots of people gathered in the street to welcome the new Federal marshal, Pat Garret(Charles Bickford), of Billy the Kid fame. Initially, Joel asked for a $2000.loan,but when he needed collateral to secure this, he pulled out his gun and demanded the $2000., backed by an IOU signed by Jefferson Davis. He wanted to take or send this money to his father, who needed it soon. Joel left the banker out in the desert with no horse and no shoes. He was hopping mad and slapped a $3000. reward for Joel's capture or corpse. As one companion said, "It's more profitable to catch a thief than to be a thief"(at least in this case). There's a mysterious man dressed in all black, including hat. We meet him on the train when Joel hops on after ditching his horse and saddle. This man, whom we later discover is the famous Mexican gambler Monte, takes an inordinate interest in Joel. In fact, he seems to end up wherever Joel wanders throughout the film, sometimes helping Joel. Eventually, he figures out that Joel must be the bank robber the wanted flier talks about. However, he makes no move to try to collect the $3000. reward. He even throws away the stack of reward fliers remaining for the next town on the mail buckboard. He gets a horse for Joel at one point, and agrees to win some gambling money to start Joel's payback of his 'loan'. We never do discover an apparent motivation for Monte's favoring of Joel. It appears he just decided to like him. Joel also meets a nurse, Fay,(she claims the train nurse?) on the train, who looks after his rattlesnake bite wound.(Don't know how she could help?). She also is destined to keep bumping into Joel, wherever he wanders. She too eventually guesses that he is the bank robber, but he seems like too nice a guy to be a badman. In fact, they kiss and hug a couple of times, and she rides with him for a stretch when he's trying to lose Garrett and Deputy. Joel claims he plans to pay the 'loan' back gradually. But, at a cowhand's wages, that will take years. Still trying to evade Garrett, at one point, Joel takes the saddle off his horse, sending it on it's way, and puts it on a steer to confuse Garrett. He eventually comes across a cabin containing Mexicans, who are all sick, apparently of diphtheria. He decides to stay and do what he can to help them, like feeding them. He tears strips of cloth and soak them in fuel for the lantern(probably, kerosene!), then stuff this in their mouths! Well, a doctor and nurse eventually show up and do what they can(probably, essentially nothing, as no modern antibiotics or anti-toxin was then available.) Guess who the nurse turns out to be? Yep, Fay, played by Joel's real wife: Frances Dee. Garrett wasn't fooled by Joel's steer act, and arrives at the cabin, seeing what Joel is doing to help. He acts rather friendly, but later he and Fay finally convince Joel that he should turn himself in, and probably the judge will be lenient, given his subsequent behavior. See it on YouTube

Moviecut—They Passed This Way

source: They Passed This Way

This is a great Western. McCrea shows off some great horsemanship as does Frances Dee, something rarely seen in female leads. I was intrigued with the authenticity (for the time) of the Hispanic and Native Americans portrayed in this movie. Joseph Calleia, playing against type, is a middle-class Hispanic, rather than just a poor Mexican, with property and a very large extended family in the region, something that was very common in New Mexico but rarely understood outside of its borders. There are surprising Spanish phrases used throughout and I was even impressed with the McCrea character's good Spanish -- so different from other Westerns of the era. The Native Americans, shown only in the opening scene at the Pat Garrett welcome, look like they could have been Mescalero Apaches from southern New Mexico. This movie really respected all the different cultures of southern New Mexico. Finally, El Morro aka Inscription Rock, now a national monument, was a significant symbol in this movie, a testament to its importance to the many different people and cultures that "Paso por Aqui" over the ages.

Harold Rosson must have been an interesting character. He was briefly married to Jean Harlow, for one thing. He was a top cinematographer for many years for MGM (check him out in IMDb). On this very moderately budgeted film, his pictures are just beautiful all through. Contrary to one reviewer, I found his depictions of Frances Dee most expressive and elegant too. Was this a sort of busman's holiday for Rosson, getting out of the studio quite a bit? Was he helping out a friend, or what took him to this assignment?

Copyright 21 May 1948 by Harry Sherman Pictures, Inc. Released through United Artists Pictures. New York opening at the Globe: 3 August 1948. U.S. release: 15 May 1948. U.K. release through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: 21 February 1949. Australian release through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: 24 February 1949. 8,196 feet. 91 minutes. (Available on an excellent Republic Pictures DVD). U.K. and Australian release title: THEY PASSED THIS WAY. COMMENT: A western that admirably captures the unique atmosphere and flavor of the original novel, thanks not only to its engrossing script but breathtaking location photography, efficient direction, and most capable acting. Production values are "A" plus. Expansively produced with extensive location filming, beautifully photographed and stylishly directed (yes, Virginia, old Alfred E. can be stylish when he has the mind - which admittedly is none too often), They Passed This Way is a treat for western and non-western fans alike. The atmosphere of the novel is superbly captured with all its irony (McCrea robbing the bank just a few yards away from a rostrum on which Pat Garrett, of all people, is delivering a lecture on law and order) and religious overtones (McCrea rides a white horse branded with a chalice. He is sheltering under the Blood. But when he chases the horse away, he is immediately bitten by a rattle-snake/serpent) intact. The whole theme of the novel - "Nothing worthwhile is achieved without sacrifice," a line spoken by Nurse Dee - is vividly and indelibly realized. Nonetheless, it takes more than a worthwhile theme to make a picture really great. What's needed are memorable and fascinating characters - and that's what we have here. In spades. McCrea and Bickford are perfectly cast. McCrea does a wonderful job building up sympathy, whilst Bickford makes his Garrett a marvelous contrast. Miss Dee emerges a little colorlessly, but the support cast, headed by Joseph Calleia, is absolutely first-rate. Even the smallest roles are expertly played. The script comes across as a model of what screenwriting should be. The dialogue rings with plenty of bite and even humor; while the plot moves forward with taut precision, yet engages plenty of action.

Joseph Calleia stands out in this sympathetic role, possibly the best he was ever offered. Frances Dee stands out, for her beauty, her riding ability, and for handling a role more complex than any other in "Four Faces West." Joel McRae stands out -- and, really, he always does. Charles Bickford stands out, though he is not the cowboy the others are, but he is another who always shines, in whatever role. Dan White stands out, in one of his biggest and most sympathetic roles, and shows he could have done even more in his career. The entire cast stands out, with such greats as Sam Flint and William Conrad and veteran, but young-looking Eva Novak. The script stands out, as does the story on which it is based. In short, "Four Faces West" easily earns the 10 stars I give it. And there is a good print at YouTube that I highly recommend.

"Four Faces West" is a beautiful looking movie. It's often stunning to look at. The rest of the movie is good too. It has a fast moving, thoughtful story. It's well acted. I've become quite a fan of Joel McCrea lately. "Four Faces West" is a solid western for his resume.

¨Four faces West¨ or ¨They passed this way¨ is an enjoyable film with spectacular outdoors , emotion , a love story and agreeable acting strengthen this low-key Western . Cowboy Ross McEwen (Joel McCrea) is an honest rancher when he arrives in town. He asks the banker for a loan of $2000 , then he robs the local bank in order to save his father's ranch from foreclosure . On the run he is helped by a nurse (Frances Dee) and an upright man (Joseph Calleia) . Ross is relentlessly pursued by the famous Sheriff Pat Garrett (Charles Bickford) . His humanity in helping a diphtheria-ridden family leads to his capture , since he is not an ordinary nasty guy . Based on Eugene Manlove Rhodes' novel titled "Paso Por Aqui": ¨He grew to manhood in this valley , most of the stones which helped build his fame as a writer had their setting in Southern New Mexico . One of the best known ¨Paso Por aquí¨ was based on actual occurrence at the Little Choza which his friend have set aside as a monument to his memory. The film is the story of this monument¨ . Interesting Western without gunshot but with good feeling , romance , go riding , thrills and results to be pretty entertaining . Nice acting from Joel McCrea and Frances Dee , both of whom real-life husband and wife . Thoughtful performances from support cast such as Joseph Calleia , Charles Bickford playing a merciless Pat Garrett who did something else with his life apart from chasing Billy the Kid all over the immense territories . Furthermore , William Conrad , pre-Cannon , another bulky presence even at this early stage of his fruitful career , here performing another deputy chasing the protagonist . Atmospheric cinematography in black and white by Russell Harlan , being shot on location in El Morro National Monument, Ramah, New Mexico,Gallup, New Mexico, Red Rock Canyon State Park , Cantil, California, San Rafael, New Mexico, USA . Appropriate as well as evocative musical score by Paul Sawtell . The motion picture professionally produced by Harry Sherman was well directed by Alfred E Green . Alfred was a good craftsman expert on all kind of genres such as Musical : ¨The fabulous Dorseys¨ (47) , ¨The Jolson story¨ (46), ¨Copacabana¨ (47) , Drama : ¨Dangerous (35) , Baby Face (33) , biography : ¨The Jackie Robinson story¨( 1950) , ¨Disraeli¨(30) and adventure : ¨South of Pago Pago¨(40) , A thousand and one nights¨(40) . Rating : Better than average . The film will appeal to Western buffs .

This western starring Joel McCrea is just plain bizarre. The film begins with a big celebration in a western town and Pat Garrett (the guy who captured Billy the Kid) was making a speech. At the same time, and here's where it gets weird, McCrea is robbing (of sorts) a bank in town. He initially asks for a loan but then pulls out a gun and demands exactly $2000! Huh?! Naturally, the banker is mad and gets a posse to look for McCrea--who has made a getaway in to the desert. However, he is bitten by a snake and makes his way to a nearby train where a nurse just happens to be available to treat him. Then, despite not knowing him at all, the woman hides McCrea and swears he MUST be innocent (which, incidentally, he ISN'T). This is all very bizarre. Why steal $2000 and insist it's a loan? Why conveniently have a rattlesnake bite him AND conveniently have a nurse nearby who then falls for him? And, why would a woman with a young child suddenly risk everything for a man she doesn't even know?! None of this makes much sense though at least McCrea played nice cowboys and his acting in this sub-par film was pretty good. Forgettable and weird. UPDATE: I rarely do this, but I decided to give this film another chance. Well, the second time around I appreciated it a lot more. Sure, the plot makes little sense at the beginning. I guess I just wasn't in a very good mood when I first saw it--the second time it worked better for me--and got better towards the end. Still not a great film--but worth seeing.