The Virginian (1929)

Directed by Victor Fleming. Starring Gary Cooper, Mary Brian, Walter Huston, Richard Arlen, Eugene Pallette, Chester Conklin, Helen Ware, E.H. Calvert, Victor Potel.

Virginia-born cowhand Cooper woos schoolmarm Brian in small Wyoming town, tangles with roughneck outlaw Huston. First talkie for both Cooper and director Fleming, adapted from the book of the same name (considered one of the first true western novels), which had already been turned into a play and a pair of silent movie versions. Cooper struggles with the accent, but cuts an upright, stoic figure even this early in his career; Huston is barely recognizable but makes the grade as an appropriately hissable black-hat. Uneven pacing in the first half, including a few obvious instances of padding (such as the baby-swapping prank), gives way to more compelling later episodes, including a harrowing resolution to a difficult decision the protagonist makes in regard to some cattle rustlers. Even in its restored format, the picture and sound quality of current prints is somewhat lacking, but the movie is still worth a watch for anyone who enjoys old-timey oaters.

62/100