18 reviews
Mitchum with mission, Hale in drag
West Of The Pecos was the second of two Zane Grey novels that Robert Mitchum starred in for RKO before being drafted. He took the place of Tim Holt as RKO's movie cowboy because Holt was in military service. He even inherited Holt's romantic sidekick Richard Martin whom we all know as the ever popular Chito Gonzalez Bustamante Rafferty.
Before Roy Bean went West Of The Pecos there was no law and order there and such that existed was in the hands of the infamous Sawtelle Brothers, Harry Woods and Perc Launders who head the vigilante committee. So these guys operate with impunity pretty much. But when they hold up the stagecoach and kill Bill Williams who is Mitchum's friend, Mitchum gets himself a mission.
In the meantime meatpacking tycoon Thurston Hall is told by his doctor to get out in the good country and do some real exercise even if it's in the form of manual labor. So he packs off his daughter Barbara Hale and her French maid Rita Corday and leaves his lawyer Bruce Edwards who is Hale's intended and they move to a piece of ranch property in that area West Of The Pecos.
Mitchum and Martin rescue the party when they're stranded in the desert and Hale has taken to wearing male drag the best to avoid unwanted attentions from the rough and ready and horny cowboys. A large part of the humor is due to Mitchum taking her for a man. A lot like some of the humor in Cary Grant/Katharine Hepburn film Sylvia Scarlett.
Of course Robert Mitchum went on to bigger and better things as he was shortly to be cast in The Story Of GI Joe and Tim Holt returned to making westerns with Richard Martin. West Of The Pecos is a nice B western with a good mix of action and humor.
But when I watch this and the film Nevada I often wonder if Mitchum had not gotten the big break for The Story Of GI Joe would he have continued as a B picture western star. Watch Nevada and West Of The Pecos and judge for yourself.
Before Roy Bean went West Of The Pecos there was no law and order there and such that existed was in the hands of the infamous Sawtelle Brothers, Harry Woods and Perc Launders who head the vigilante committee. So these guys operate with impunity pretty much. But when they hold up the stagecoach and kill Bill Williams who is Mitchum's friend, Mitchum gets himself a mission.
In the meantime meatpacking tycoon Thurston Hall is told by his doctor to get out in the good country and do some real exercise even if it's in the form of manual labor. So he packs off his daughter Barbara Hale and her French maid Rita Corday and leaves his lawyer Bruce Edwards who is Hale's intended and they move to a piece of ranch property in that area West Of The Pecos.
Mitchum and Martin rescue the party when they're stranded in the desert and Hale has taken to wearing male drag the best to avoid unwanted attentions from the rough and ready and horny cowboys. A large part of the humor is due to Mitchum taking her for a man. A lot like some of the humor in Cary Grant/Katharine Hepburn film Sylvia Scarlett.
Of course Robert Mitchum went on to bigger and better things as he was shortly to be cast in The Story Of GI Joe and Tim Holt returned to making westerns with Richard Martin. West Of The Pecos is a nice B western with a good mix of action and humor.
But when I watch this and the film Nevada I often wonder if Mitchum had not gotten the big break for The Story Of GI Joe would he have continued as a B picture western star. Watch Nevada and West Of The Pecos and judge for yourself.
- bkoganbing
- Apr 18, 2013
- Permalink
Masquerade on the Mexican border
- Igenlode Wordsmith
- Aug 15, 2005
- Permalink
EARLY MITCHUM...WESTERN COMEDY ROMANCE...FUN COMBO WORKS
These Hybrids Rarely Attain Above Average Status as Each Genre Devolves into Mediocrity.
But Here, it Works Fine with the Help of Mitchum Showing His Quickly Evolving Screen Persona as a Pithy, Straight-Talking, No-Nonsense Macho but Sensitive to Others Grittiness as Likeable as 'All=Get-Out.
Barbara Hale is Easy-Breezy and Confident as Most of the Comedy in the 1st Act is Her Swapping Her Eastern Elitism into a Cowboy(girl).
Thurston Hall Comes-Off Less Entertaining and More Irritating as a Loud, Grumpy, Oldster that Over Emphasizes Everything.
Even When He Dives Right-Into the Gunplay and Commands Respect from All.
Richard Martin as a Mexican Side-Kick is OK but way Over-Shadowed by the Mitchum-Hale Playful Antics. Although the Film Tries Desperately To Include His Latin Entry into the Proceedings.
This is Not a Typical Kid-Friendly Mid-Forties Western. It has a Different Vibe Leaning to some Sexual Situations and Banter that is Edgy.
It's a Good Script Showcasing the Rising of Robert Mitchum as a Bona-Fide Screen-Presence and Bankable Star.
There's Plenty of Gun-Play and Villainy.
Above Average B-Western with Mitchum and Hale Doing Their Romantic Fore-Play with Cutting-Edge Charm.
But Here, it Works Fine with the Help of Mitchum Showing His Quickly Evolving Screen Persona as a Pithy, Straight-Talking, No-Nonsense Macho but Sensitive to Others Grittiness as Likeable as 'All=Get-Out.
Barbara Hale is Easy-Breezy and Confident as Most of the Comedy in the 1st Act is Her Swapping Her Eastern Elitism into a Cowboy(girl).
Thurston Hall Comes-Off Less Entertaining and More Irritating as a Loud, Grumpy, Oldster that Over Emphasizes Everything.
Even When He Dives Right-Into the Gunplay and Commands Respect from All.
Richard Martin as a Mexican Side-Kick is OK but way Over-Shadowed by the Mitchum-Hale Playful Antics. Although the Film Tries Desperately To Include His Latin Entry into the Proceedings.
This is Not a Typical Kid-Friendly Mid-Forties Western. It has a Different Vibe Leaning to some Sexual Situations and Banter that is Edgy.
It's a Good Script Showcasing the Rising of Robert Mitchum as a Bona-Fide Screen-Presence and Bankable Star.
There's Plenty of Gun-Play and Villainy.
Above Average B-Western with Mitchum and Hale Doing Their Romantic Fore-Play with Cutting-Edge Charm.
- LeonLouisRicci
- Aug 23, 2021
- Permalink
Early Mitchum starring role worth a look.
"West of the Pecos" is not to be confused with any of the great westerns of all time, or even of the 1940s. It is, nevertheless, a competently done little RKO-Radio Pictures western that reaches a surprisingly high level of quality considering its undeniable B-picture status.
First and foremost is the performance of the great Robert Mitchum in one of his earliest starring roles. I can't imagine how anyone would not be charmed by this seemingly laid-back, I-don't-give-a-dam young actor who offered viewers a persona pretty much unlike that of any other star. What was it about Mitchum that so many, me included, find so appealing? I guess it was his plain spoken, down-to-earth manner; totally unaffected, totally at ease regardless of whatever predicament he found himself in.
The plot is somewhat routine, that's true. But the actors are all more than competent, and we are also treated to some beautiful outdoor photography. The film was shot on location near Lone Pine, California, an area that has appeared in many, many movie productions over the years.
My only complaint, other than the fact that the script offers no surprises, is that there is almost too much comic relief, supplied mostly by Richard Martin, an actor who played a Mexican in many films despite the fact that he obviously never got beyond Spanish 1 in school. (I'm a Spanish teacher with over 30 years service, so take my word for it, the guy's Spanish accent is far from native.)
I suggest you take a look for yourself. "West of the Pecos" is not a bad way to spend a bit over an hour. Especially if you are a Mitchum fan.
First and foremost is the performance of the great Robert Mitchum in one of his earliest starring roles. I can't imagine how anyone would not be charmed by this seemingly laid-back, I-don't-give-a-dam young actor who offered viewers a persona pretty much unlike that of any other star. What was it about Mitchum that so many, me included, find so appealing? I guess it was his plain spoken, down-to-earth manner; totally unaffected, totally at ease regardless of whatever predicament he found himself in.
The plot is somewhat routine, that's true. But the actors are all more than competent, and we are also treated to some beautiful outdoor photography. The film was shot on location near Lone Pine, California, an area that has appeared in many, many movie productions over the years.
My only complaint, other than the fact that the script offers no surprises, is that there is almost too much comic relief, supplied mostly by Richard Martin, an actor who played a Mexican in many films despite the fact that he obviously never got beyond Spanish 1 in school. (I'm a Spanish teacher with over 30 years service, so take my word for it, the guy's Spanish accent is far from native.)
I suggest you take a look for yourself. "West of the Pecos" is not a bad way to spend a bit over an hour. Especially if you are a Mitchum fan.
Mitchum Rules
A simple yet entertaining yarn, an old fashioned black and white film. West of the Pecos is another in the string of westerns Robert Mitchum. Rill Lambeth (Barbara Hale) drags her father, Colonel Lambeth (Thurston Hall) to Pecos, Texas to escape the pressures of the big city life of Chicago. Unfamiliar with the vigilante justice of 1800's rural America, they are in for a bit of culture shock. Rill is accustomed to the spoiled and sophisticated men of her upper class society. And,of course, she is smitten with the rugged Pecos Smith (Mitchum). Outlaws battle the good guys, and, as expected, Mitchum is on the ride side of the law. A few gun fights ensue, but with very little violence. This is not Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, but instead a g rated 1940's "picture." The film only runs sixty six minutes and I can highly recommend it. PS I still rank Tarantino as my favorite current director.
A fun Western
A fun Robert Mitchum and Barbara Hale Western in which a young woman dresses up as a man to save her family during a potentially treacherous trip with her ill father to their Texas cattle ranch.
Barbara Hale is a good actress and she carries the film. It is a film where we wonder about what it could have been. A woman dressing up as a man in the wild West is an interesting scenario.
The film does have some lighthearted behind kicking and slapping between Mitchum and Hale. At just over an hour, it does not overstay its welcome. Deserves a Bollywood remake.
(7/10)
Barbara Hale is a good actress and she carries the film. It is a film where we wonder about what it could have been. A woman dressing up as a man in the wild West is an interesting scenario.
The film does have some lighthearted behind kicking and slapping between Mitchum and Hale. At just over an hour, it does not overstay its welcome. Deserves a Bollywood remake.
(7/10)
- PimpinAinttEasy
- Jul 25, 2022
- Permalink
Aside from seeing a young and likable Robert Mitchum, not
"West of the Pecos" is a great example of a film where the women were just written very poorly. It's a shame, as Robert Mitchum is very good here...natural and at home in front of the camera despite being early in his career.
The story begins in Chicago in 1887. The Colonel (Thurston Hall) is a somewhat sickly old guy and his doctor recommends he stop his sedentary lifestyle. So, because of this, he packs up and heads to the wild west to live...which seems a bit extreme. There, the family discovers a rather lawless land and meet up with one of the few men, Pecos (Mitchum), who will stand up to the local vigilantes. Oddly, however, the Colonel's wacky daughter (Barbara Hale) decides to pose as a young cowBOY....though why is never really explained. In addition to this goofy character, there's a French lady who simply is annoying and confusing.
As I said, the women were poorly written in this one...unrealistic and hard to fathom. It's a shame, as with them being reasonably well written, it could have been a good film.
The story begins in Chicago in 1887. The Colonel (Thurston Hall) is a somewhat sickly old guy and his doctor recommends he stop his sedentary lifestyle. So, because of this, he packs up and heads to the wild west to live...which seems a bit extreme. There, the family discovers a rather lawless land and meet up with one of the few men, Pecos (Mitchum), who will stand up to the local vigilantes. Oddly, however, the Colonel's wacky daughter (Barbara Hale) decides to pose as a young cowBOY....though why is never really explained. In addition to this goofy character, there's a French lady who simply is annoying and confusing.
As I said, the women were poorly written in this one...unrealistic and hard to fathom. It's a shame, as with them being reasonably well written, it could have been a good film.
- planktonrules
- Jul 30, 2021
- Permalink
I enjoy this western every time I see it.
This movie follows basically the same theme as "Stagecoach Kid". where a lady dresses as a boy and tries to pass as a boy briefly. Also, this movie has Richard Martin playing the character of Chito Rafferty. Unlike "Stagecoach Kid",Pecos doesn't realize that the "boy" is really a lady for a while, whereas the character played by Tim Holt in "Stagecoach Kid" plays along with the act. This movie has no surprises, the good guys win and the hero gets the girl at the end,but the characters are likeable,the story flows well.
marvellous film, enjoyed every minute of it.
I saw this film many years go at the local picture house in Birmingham. Can't wait until it comes back on television.
I think Barbara Hale played her part very well. Also, her maid was also a good addition to the plot. I also think Pecos's side-kick gave a good backing.
Hope they put it back on bbc soon.
I think Barbara Hale played her part very well. Also, her maid was also a good addition to the plot. I also think Pecos's side-kick gave a good backing.
Hope they put it back on bbc soon.
- pamela7223
- Jan 1, 2002
- Permalink
It's a pity they don't make them this good any more
This excellent Robert Mitchum/Barbara Hale western is equal parts of action, comedy and romance. There's enough characters running around doing stuff that one never gets bored. In a nutshell, Chicago city slickers go west to take over an old hacienda that's been abandoned for years. Of course there's outlaws, stage coach chases, gun play and all sorts of goings on. I rented this from Netflix because after visiting and photographing the Zane Grey Museum in Ohio I'm trying to watch as many of Zane Grey movies as possible. This flick is definitely worth renting.
It was shot in Lone Pine California where many Hollywood westerns were shot. It seems Barbara Hale convinced the director to employ a guy she was sweet on, Bill Williams. He isn't around much in the movie but apparently he was around enough behind the scenes that Barbara managed to sink her hooks into the guy. They ended up married until his death and had three kids. One of the kids was William Katt, the actor.
It was shot in Lone Pine California where many Hollywood westerns were shot. It seems Barbara Hale convinced the director to employ a guy she was sweet on, Bill Williams. He isn't around much in the movie but apparently he was around enough behind the scenes that Barbara managed to sink her hooks into the guy. They ended up married until his death and had three kids. One of the kids was William Katt, the actor.
Great fun
Superior B-Western with Bob Mitchum in his second starring film. Lots of action and plenty of plot as Barbara Hale, her father and their French maid relocate from Chicago to Texas, stumbling across Pecos Smith (Mitchum) as he exacts revenge on the crooked vigilantes who killed his best friend, then hides out, just trying to stay alive. Hale spends a good portion of the film cross-dressing, so if you've ever wanted to see Mitchum invite what he thinks is a teenage boy into his bed for a cuddle, then this is the film for you. Bob is laid back, compelling, sometimes cool, just a few months away from the first great characterisation of his career in The Story of G.I. Joe.
(3 out of 4)
(3 out of 4)
Great Adaptation!
West of the Pecos is one of my favorite Zan Gray novels and I love that they did a decent job of getting it to a movie format. Robert Mitchum was one of the best and I think he did the character justice. Barbara Hale was darling as were the actress and actor playing the maid and Chito.
Barbara Hale steals the show
This was an enjoyable movie, but I expected more from a 1945
western with Robert Mitchum. The theme (a women dressed as a
boy) has been handled better, both before & after this movie. Even
a lower budget Cisco Kid movie with Gilbert Roland did a better
job. What makes this movie enjoyable is the performance of
Barbara Hale. I didn't know she had it in her, but here she's cute,
funny, & a good actress. I'd go so far as to say that she stole the
show from Robert Mitchum, which is a very difficult feat to
accomplish. I rate it 5/10; it would have been lower without Hale's
excellent performance.
western with Robert Mitchum. The theme (a women dressed as a
boy) has been handled better, both before & after this movie. Even
a lower budget Cisco Kid movie with Gilbert Roland did a better
job. What makes this movie enjoyable is the performance of
Barbara Hale. I didn't know she had it in her, but here she's cute,
funny, & a good actress. I'd go so far as to say that she stole the
show from Robert Mitchum, which is a very difficult feat to
accomplish. I rate it 5/10; it would have been lower without Hale's
excellent performance.
Adorable romantic western
Richard Martin made a career out of the character, Chito Jose Gonzalez Bustamonte Rafferty. Cracking jokes about his Irish-Mexican heritage in a very dated accent, and busting out his guitar in every movie, he's one of the most recognizable western sidekicks in the business. You've got thirty chances to catch his character, including 1945's West of the Pecos.
In this silly, humorous, escapism movie, Barbara Hale's father, Thurston Hall, has to get more exercise into his daily routine for his health. The family decides to pick up and move from Chicago to their ranch in Texas-but since it's the 1880s, the wild west is dangerous. In order to protect herself, and her French companion Rita Corday, Barbara dresses like a boy. But when she meets hunky Robert Mitchum on the road, maybe she'll want to trade in her trousers for a dress. . .
I actually really liked West of the Pecos, even though it's just a silly western. Barbara Hale does a great job in her dual-personality and getting in touch with her masculine side, and Thurston Hall is a wonderful Frank Morgan knockoff. Of course, my loyalties lie with Robert Mitchum, which is why I first rented this early movie. He's so incredibly adorable in this movie, treating Barbara like a kid brother as they travel together in the desert. At nighttime, she's expected to bunk up with him to conserve body heat, and he holds open the blanket: "Get in! Cuddle!" Seriously, how darling is that?
In this silly, humorous, escapism movie, Barbara Hale's father, Thurston Hall, has to get more exercise into his daily routine for his health. The family decides to pick up and move from Chicago to their ranch in Texas-but since it's the 1880s, the wild west is dangerous. In order to protect herself, and her French companion Rita Corday, Barbara dresses like a boy. But when she meets hunky Robert Mitchum on the road, maybe she'll want to trade in her trousers for a dress. . .
I actually really liked West of the Pecos, even though it's just a silly western. Barbara Hale does a great job in her dual-personality and getting in touch with her masculine side, and Thurston Hall is a wonderful Frank Morgan knockoff. Of course, my loyalties lie with Robert Mitchum, which is why I first rented this early movie. He's so incredibly adorable in this movie, treating Barbara like a kid brother as they travel together in the desert. At nighttime, she's expected to bunk up with him to conserve body heat, and he holds open the blanket: "Get in! Cuddle!" Seriously, how darling is that?
- HotToastyRag
- Aug 26, 2018
- Permalink
Robert Mitchum, Zany Grey Classic
Robert Mitchum and Barbara Hale head up a stalwart cast. Mitchum showed his early star power and Hale stole the show as his leading lady. It all starts in Chi-Town 1887 when the Colonel (Thurston Hall) is told by the Doc (Byant Washburn) he's got to get out and get moving. On the way to Texas, they meet up with Richard Martin who made a great career out of the character Chito. They're not getting far with the west's meanest villain, Harry Woods heading up the vigilantes. Another romance is brewing as Suzzane (Rita Corday) is smitten with Chito. Thanks to director Edward Killy, Hale's husband Bill Williams got to stay on the set the whole time. Other great performances were by Russell Hopton, Bruce Edwards, Martin Garralaga, Perc Launders, and Philip Morris.
- hines-2000
- Dec 6, 2021
- Permalink
The Cowpoke and the Cross-dresser
Mitchum & Hale team up for some lighthearted shoot-em-up fun
Mitchum loved Westerns and played side parts in a dozen or more of them, many with Willam Boyd's Hopalong Cassidy stock cast, before he was elevated to B film star with "Nevada" in 1944. He's still learning how to master a set here but he's active and his confidence is growing fast and you can see the greatness to come.
Barbara Stanwyck & Jean Arthur had been dressing in Western garb long before this movie, in the '20s & '30s, but they generally played Western women who all wore those kinds of clothes on the range anyway. There's some light humor when Hale dresses like that since in this role, she is from Chicago and accustomed to wearing finery. She doesn't back away from a fight, and neither does her super-rich father, played by Thurston Hall. Hall started in films in 1915 and really knew his way around a set.
Mostly forgotten movie, this one is a lot of fun!
Barbara Stanwyck & Jean Arthur had been dressing in Western garb long before this movie, in the '20s & '30s, but they generally played Western women who all wore those kinds of clothes on the range anyway. There's some light humor when Hale dresses like that since in this role, she is from Chicago and accustomed to wearing finery. She doesn't back away from a fight, and neither does her super-rich father, played by Thurston Hall. Hall started in films in 1915 and really knew his way around a set.
Mostly forgotten movie, this one is a lot of fun!
- OldieMovieFan
- Nov 29, 2023
- Permalink
West of the Pecos
The year is 1887 and the country West of the Pecos, wild and lawless; hardly the place for a wealthy Chicago meat packer to recuperate with his beautiful daughter. Heading west to their ranch, they soon find themselves in hot water - a shooting, a robbery and a full-scale attack on their ranch. But Pecos Smith , a handsome and impulsive cow-hand, comes to their rescue ..
This lively film based on a Zane Grey story blends comedy, romance and some action. Like the female character in the Stagecoach kid, Barbara Hale dons cowboy garb, pretending to be a boy, but there's some difference such as in this one her father plays along and Mitchum is clueless that he is really a she. It's a fun western with limited gunplay but good humour and a liveliness. Richard Martin as Chito Rafferty is usually in his Casanova mode. First seen this western in 1984 on BBC2 as part of a Friday western season.
This lively film based on a Zane Grey story blends comedy, romance and some action. Like the female character in the Stagecoach kid, Barbara Hale dons cowboy garb, pretending to be a boy, but there's some difference such as in this one her father plays along and Mitchum is clueless that he is really a she. It's a fun western with limited gunplay but good humour and a liveliness. Richard Martin as Chito Rafferty is usually in his Casanova mode. First seen this western in 1984 on BBC2 as part of a Friday western season.