Review: The Man From Colorado

Glenn Ford plays a psychologically unstable Civil War Colonel, who orders his troops to open fire on Confederate soldiers who have clearly raised the white flag (and Ford has seen it). Meanwhile, his brother in arms and good friend William Holden, senses Ford is in a bad way mentally, but does nothing about it. When they come home from war to their mining town, Ford is appointed Federal Judge by mining boss Ray Collins (who controls the claims of the ex-Union soldiers via a legal loophole) and a Governor’s representative (Stanley Andrews), and he appoints Holden as Federal Marshal. However, his new judicial powers and psychological scars turn the troubled Ford into a tyrant (though he only reluctantly sides against the war vet claimers). He also turns into an outright green-eyed monster when realising the girl he took as his soon-to-be wife (Ellen Drew), would much rather be with Holden. Holden, meanwhile, sees Ford and his greedy backers for what they are, and somewhat turns outlaw, aiming to put a stop to his friend’s ruthless and violent ways. Edgar Buchanan has a good role as the local doctor, an acquaintance of both men.

 

1948 Henry Levin (“Jolson Sings Again”, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”) western is an admirable, but dated attempt to make a more psychologically-minded statement about war and its affects than one might usually find in a film of the period. Unfortunately, despite giving Ford one of his darkest roles (and he’s particularly good in it), it’s a little too mopey and uneventful for the most part. But if you’re a fan of say, “Warlock” you might enjoy this one more than me. I just think Anthony Mann and Jimmy Stewart did this kind of thing better.

 

It’s definitely made watchable by Ford, and a few other stalwarts, notably Collins and Buchanan. The film is scripted by Robert D. Andrews (“The Walking Dead” and “Before I Hang”, two Boris Karloff vehicles) and Ben Maddow (“The Asphalt Jungle”), from a story by Borden Chase (“Red River”, the Anthony Mann westerns “Bend of the River” and “The Far Country”).

 

Rating: C+

 

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