TAKE ME TO TOWN

US, 1953, 80 Minutes, Colour.
Ann Sheridan, Sterling Hayden, Phillip Reed, Lee Patrick.
Directed by Douglas Sirk.

Take Me to Town is an attractive Western directed by Douglas Sirk before he launched into his series of soap operas like Magnificent Obsession, Imitation of Life... Ann Sheridan, ageing a little, is a tough but attractive heroine. Sterling Hayden is a sturdy hero. There are religious overtones to the film and it is a curious blend of the West and the religious picture. It is brief, probably cliche, but enjoyable.

1. An enjoyable comedy Western? A blending of the traditions of Western films and religious films? The film as a 'B' film of the 50s, colour, locations?

2. The work of Douglas Sirk as a romantic director? How well did the film combine the conventions of the saloon Western and the Western of the simple family life? How well did they mesh? 3. The atmosphere of the opening, the story about Vermillion? The train, the escape?

4. The transition to the saloon and the advertisement for Vermillion? Rosy as a character and the saloon? Ed as the Marshall and his pursuit of Vermillion and his succumbing to the charms of Rosy? The transition to the atmosphere of the town, the protests against Vermillion, the ordinary way of life, the ladies and their chatter, the shops, the religious atmosphere? A typical American town with its Protestant religious flavour? The significance of the song at beginning and end?

5. The story of Vermillion? The initial impact of the character of Vermillion, her escape? Her wise cracking style, her dances? The encounter with the boys and her handling of the situation? The expediency of her escape and going with the boys? Changing with the cooking of the meal, the humour of the swimming, the shooting of the bear? Her response to Will? The challenge to her and her deciding to stay? What change happened in her? Men and the women that they expect and their transformation by will?

6. The portrayal of the boys ? typically American, types? Their styles, eg. the boy and his mussed hair, the little one saying 'I like it' or 'I don't like it' etc.? Their place in the town, relationship with their father, memory of their mother, searching out of Vermillion, bringing her home, the swimming sequence, the bear? The love that grew from these encounters?

7. Will Hall as the strong American type, love for his boys, his work, the fight? His transformation into the Minister? His fighting the challenges to Vermillion and then his sermon? Values and the building of the church? How did he transform Vermillion, be transformed by her?

8. Vermillion accepted by the ladies although Mrs. Sloper and her resentment? Cole and his pursuit? The build-up to the concert and her arranging everything? The humour of the roses, the song 'Take Me to Town' etc.? Rosy and her arrival? Ed and his presence?


9. How well was the final crisis contrived ? the concert, Ed and his arrival, Cole, will? The climbing of the cliffs? The shots in the play and in reality? Forgiveness?

10. A pleasant piece of Americana of the 19th century and the American heritage? The final words of the song?