The Oklahoma Kid

I was surprised at how well Cagney and Bogart got into their roles, Cagney was his usual fiesty self. The only difference was he was on horseback, which actually added to his perfomance. I also enjoyed Bogart as the villainous Whip McCord, not exactly his cup of tea but none the less he looked pretty good in a Cowboy hat. Best Scene: The brawl finale between Cagney and Bogart

In Hollywood in the 1930's and 1940's, I think that every studio can make a western, except Warner bros. The few times they try, it always ridiculous (except, perhaps, for They Died with their Boots on - which is a cavalery western.) I have read that Humphrey Bogart, seing James Cagney with this big cowboy hat on his head, said that he looks like a mushroom. True! Cagney and Bogart are too urban, too XXe century to be credible in a western movie. The story here had no suprise, and it did't help. Every 10 minutes, I figure I can see Bogart and Cagney drops their little guns and put hands in a machine gun to get away from the set in a 1930's black car.

This is one for collectors; when those personifications of Urban gangsters Cagney and Bogey are transplanted to an Oklahoma territory that is so far ahead of progress that it boasts an electric door-bell Cagney rings it long and hard on two separate occasions)it shows that les freres Warner spared no expense on researching the period. Journeyman director Lloyd Bacon phones it in as do just about everyone from Cagney right on down to an uncredited Clem Bevans and the plot - you should excuse the expression - manages to hit every cliché withing shooting distance and some that should have been well out of range. Oklahoma crude would make an ideal subtitle for this snake oil but see it if you must.

There are so many goofy things about this movie that I can't possibly name but a few: BOGART's character: 1. His name – Whip McCord (too easy, so I'll leave it at that. Boy, it makes `Humphrey' sound good.) 2. His long, curly hair and silly sideburns. 3. His Black Bart get-up, complete with spurs! 4. Not sure what shade of lipgloss they've got him wearing, but it ain't none too flattering. CAGNEY's character (Jim Kincaid ): 1. His lipstick doesn't do him any favors, either. 2. The man is being swallowed by his hat during the entire film! Could they not find a hat to fit him? Even a LITTLE?!!?! 3. His pants are too tight in the rear. 4. He blows the smoke off his gun one too many times, if you know what I mean, and I think you do. If you are a casual Bogart or Cagney fan, and figure it might be a change of pace to see them in a western, do yourself a favor and forget that thought. EVEN THE HORSES LOOK EMBARRASSED! (That is, when they don't look bored.) In all fairness, I admit that westerns are my least favorite film genre, but I've still seen much, MUCH better than this. On a comedy level, or as high camp, The Oklahoma Kid works. Otherwise, it's viewer beware. Therefore, see this only if a) you must see every western out there b) you are a TRUE Cagney or Bogie completist c) any of the above comments appeal to you. Woah…..

Remember in GOODFELLAS when Joe Pesci goes crazy with a gun (at his servant's expense) saying 'What's the film with Bogart as a cowboy?" The replie is "Shane?" He retorts "Shane?! No, Oklahoma Kid!" He was refering to this odd misfit, but enjoyable western. James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart look as well suited in the old west as Gabby Hayes and Lash LaRue would look in a Manhattan speakeasy, but these two pros have fun with the film anyway. Their bar-room brawl with each other is a hum-dinger, and you have to get a load of Cagney singing a Spanish lullaby to a baby.

The Oklahoma Kid is a curio, more fun to think about than actually see. It is a western with James Cagney as a cowboy and Humphrey Bogart his black-clad nemesis. There is some humor in it, but it was made too early to be consciously campy; and as it was produced by Warner Brothers it has a fast, urban pace, but alas lacks the sophistication its dynamic star duo need to elevate it to clasic status, or even make it a good movie. It is not, by the way, a comedy, and is played straight much of the time. Neither star is at home on the range, and Cagney looks silly in a cowboy hat. On the other hand James Wong Howe's photography has some stunning compositions, and has about it, in its contrasting use of black and gray, a twilight quality that is very appealing but, like so much in this movie, not too appropriate for a western.

This is an example of a film being better than its casting errors. The bar fight scene has some very interesting floor level camera angles (although these do help make the stunt doubles more obvious). I liked the positioning of the jail cell on the second floor of the courthouse. That seems to buck the standard Western trend of the combination Jail/Sheriff's office. I think this may be unique. As to Joe Pesci's reference in "Goodfellas", perhaps he finds this film so memorable because of the character named Indian Joe Pasco. Maybe his childhood pals nicknamed him Indian Joe Pesci. But, the scene his character in "Goodfellas" refers to (a cowboy shooting and saying "Dance") does not appear in this film. Also,in this films closing credits, the character is billed as "Indian Jack Pasco". Maybe the Title's Department didn't even take this film seriously.

I may be in the minority here - at least with a couple of my classic-movie-buff friends, but I really liked this western. I thought it was one of the most interesting and entertaining classic westerns I've ever seen. Of course, having Jimmy Cagney in the lead didn't hurt. He's usually very entertaining and this is no exception. He plays his normal cocky self, but instead of gangster or something else modern-day, he was cowboy. To those too rigid fuddie-duddies who can't see their favorite actors trying different genres - too bad. Cagney as a cowboy?? Why not? He' still the same, great actor and entertainer. Same goes for Bogey. Humphrey Bogart, as he so often was before he became a mega-star with Casablanca, played the bad guy. He looked like he had a bad toupee, too. I hope that wasn't his real hair! This was fun to watch right from the get-go and also featured some excellent black-and-white cinematography (where is the DVD on this?), which made it all the better. At 82 minutes, this is a quick night of entertainment, but I liked that short running time.

President Grover Cleveland declares some Oklahoma Cherokee land to be available for western settlers, which attracts singing cowboy James Cagney (as "The Oklahoma Kid" Jim Kincaid) and his more dastardly, dark-suited rival Humphrey Bogart (as "Whip" McCord). Mr. Bogart gains control of the burgeoning town of Tulsa's vice, crime, gambling, and murder trade. Mr. Cagney lives on the outskirts since he's "WANTED!" But, he becomes reform-minded when Bogart's gang make trouble for Cagney's estranged brother Harvey Stephens (as Ned Kincaid), who want to clean up Tulsa. Cagney is also attracted to Donald Crisp (as Judge Hardwick)'s virtuous daughter, Rosemary Lane (as Jane Hardwick). In hindsight, this is more of a novelty than a movie. ***** The Oklahoma Kid (3/3/39) Lloyd Bacon ~ James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Harvey Stephens

Bet you didn't think two urban gangsters could put over a cowboy picture, did you? Not only that, make it so believable that it was entertaining - very much so, in fact. Well, surprise, surprise.This was a good picture with a very good storyline. Well done in all departments.Cagney plays the good-bad guy and Bogart, in a pre-Sam Spade role, plays the bad-bad guy.One of the interchangeable Lane sisters (in this case Rosemary)is the love interest. Long story short; somebody done somebody wrong, with fistfights and gunplay and double-crosses and all the elements that make westerns so greatly entertaining. If you haven't seen it and like good westerns, do it.There is more than enough to like here. This movie was shown on 'old reliable'TCM just the other night. I don't think it's available in any format so you'll have to wait until they show it again and tape it. No sequel, though. One oater with two crooked mobsters is enough. And they should have issued Cagney a different hat.