THE GAL WHO TOOK THE WEST
US, 1949, 84 minutes, Colour.
Yvonne de Carlo, Charles Coburn, Scott Brady.
Directed by Frederick de Cordova.
The Gal Who Took The West is an unexpectedly entertaining and interesting western. It was co-written by William Bowers (author of the autobiographical The Last Time I Saw Archie). It is a star vehicle from Universal (one of many at this time) for Yvonne de Carlo - an attractive and tongue-in-cheek humorous performer. There is a good supporting cast, especially Charles Coburn - and very young Scott Brady and John Russell as the heroes.
The film is like Kurosawa's Rashomon - the same events being perceived through different eyes and the audience trying to discern the truth. (Rashomon was made with Paul Newman, Laurence Harvey and Claire Bloom as The Outrage. Another film of this kind was George Cukor's Les Girls with Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor and Kay Kendall.) The film, as with so many Universal International films of the time, lasts the decades very well - perennial entertainment. It seemed to intend no more than this - but actually achieved more.
1. An entertaining western? Comedy touches? Seen in retrospect?
2. Strong production? The perennial popularity of Universal features? values? B-films in their time - still entertaining rather than dated?
3. The links with Rashomon and its style - the different perspectives on the same characters and events? How well did it work in this screenplay? Truth - subjective, objective? The limitations of points of view?
4. The title and its tone - comedy and western?
5. The screenplay's reliance on irony and humour? Using the conventions of the western - but tongue-in-cheek?
6. The opening situation: the 1940s, the newspaper reporter, the O' Hara Museum, the old men and their drinks, their stories and memories, Mrs O' Hara and the helicopter arrival? Memories, American heritage?
7. The three old men and their varying points of view - the humour of their subjective interpretations?
8. Lilian - audience's first impression? The audience accepting this view, the contrast of the later points of view? Was she sick. was she drunk, was she’ calculating? All part true? Her giving the solution that her corset was too tight - therefore sick? Her attraction towards the moneyed O’ Hara’s (and her going instead of the opera star)? The drink and her taking over Nancy’s song and succeeding? Her attraction towards the O' Hara mansion?
9. The two young O’ Hara’s - rivals in the town, the General keeping them peaceful, their two factions? The arrival of Lillian? Lee's attendance, Grant's meal and her singing? Lee taking her to the mansion? The party and the clashes? The military guard at Lillian’s door? The kidnapping of Lillian, the two proposals? Her going to the opera house - and their response? Her provoking the fight? The final proposal?
10. Lillian’s final version of what happened - incorporating the various angles, the simple truth?
11. Audience appreciation of Lillian? The truth? The story about the opera star, the relationship with the General, her falling in love with Grant, her becoming an O' Hara? 'Print the legend'?
12. The town and the O’ Hara’s, their wealth, prosperity, the two groups and their siding with each of the cousins, fights, peace, the interventions of the General. Lee and Grant and the two types? Their manners with Lillian, the fights, the kidnap, the opera performance? Their fisticuffs (Lillian commenting they were both very good)? Her provoking Lee and accepting Grant? The youngsters fighting at the end - the O' Hara tradition?
13. The General and his style, his reaction to Lillian’s arrival - he was correct? His interventions, his wanting her help, his attitude towards women, to the military? His wealthy style - with the Indian servants? The American heritage of families like the O’Hara’s? and the opening up of Arizona?
14. Arizona, the towns, wealth, the mines? Indians and hostilities? The military? The picture of society - and would-be culture?
15. A satisfying blend of action and humour? The humorous touches e.g. Lillian’s singing the Irish song in the hotel, her rendition of Frankie and Johnny at the opera house and the General demanding applause? An engaging piece of Americana?
