Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageCattle Queen of Montana (1954)
Director: Allan Dwan
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Despite promising credentials - not just Dwan and Stanwyck, but John Alton on camera - this RKO Western is pretty much a non-starter. The first half is efficient but predictable as Stanwyck and her dad (Ankrum), arriving in Montana after driving a herd up from Texas, are ambushed by a band of renegade Blackfeet secretly in the pay of a would-be cattle baron (Evans) who wants the land on which they plan to build a ranch. Befriended by the Blackfoot chief's college-educated son (Fuller) after her father is killed, Stanwyck stubbornly determines to stay put, though warned off by Evans' hired gunslinger (Reagan, obviously destined to turn good guy). Thereafter, the script starts going in circles, producing plenty of incident (mainly Evans trying to provoke an Indian war, Fuller stoutly fighting for peace) but losing any sense of dramatic progress. Though accused of being an Indian lover, Stanwyck naturally entertains no yearnings for her gallant Blackfoot, but settles for Reagan (working undercover for the army) in what must be one of the most perfunctory love affairs in Western history.Author: TM
Cast & crew
Director: Allan Dwan
Producer: Benedict Bogeaus
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Ronald Reagan, Gene Evans, Lance Fuller, Anthony Caruso, Jack Elam, Chubby Johnson, Morris Ankrum full cast
Genre(s): Westerns
Duration: 88 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now