I grew up learning about heroes by reading and watching movies. The reading gave me more details into the lives of heroes, the movies brought them to life in a way that just touched on what they did. It’s difficult to sum up someone’s entire life or legend in 120 minutes or less. Rather than leave me thinking I now knew everything about someone it made me look more in depth. That was the power of film.
But in the late sixties things began to change. The counter culture revolution found its way into filmmaking. We saw the rise of the anti-hero, a non-conformist who could care less about doing what was right, instead looking out for number one. This was followed a couple of decades later by filmmakers who decided it was best to not just retell stories of the same heroes by to deconstruct them. No longer were we provided with a story used to get across morals, instead we were “treated” to tales of how terrible they were in real life.
With all of this in mind I sat down to watch the new Kino Lorber release of THE PLAINSMAN. Made in 1936 the film starred the everyman of hero films Gary Cooper as Wild Bill Hickok. Films like these were the bread and butter of Cooper’s early career. This movie shows why.
THE PLAINSMAN tells the story of Wild Bill Hickok when he first headed west. With the Civil War over he’s on his way to find new adventure. As he’s about the head out he comes across his old friend and partner Buffalo Bill Cody (James Ellison). Bill has just gotten married to Louisa (Helen Burgess) and intends on opening a hotel, settling down and not roaming the country any longer. What they don’t know is that onboard the same paddle wheeler they’re taking is a shipment of guns corrupt politicians intend to sell to the Cheyenne Indians out west. John Lattimer (Charles Bickford) is in charge of this operation.
Upon arriving at their destination the trio come across their stage driver, none other than Calamity Jane (Jean Arthur). Jane is still desperately I love with Hickok who feels the same yet never lets her know. Before leaving Hickok discovers the gun shipment and when he arrives in Kansas he informs Gen. Custer (John Miljan) of what he found. Custer in turn sends him out to talk to Yellow Hand (Paul Harvey), the chief of the Cheyenne. At the same time he recruits and sends Cody as a guide with a group transporting ammunition.
Jane follows Hickok and is captured by Yellow Hand. Hickok bargains for her life. Yellow Hand tells them that if they give him the route of the ammunition group he will set them free. As he prepares to burn Hickok alive, he finally admits to Jane that he loves her. Unable to bear the sight of him being tortured she tells Yellow Hand the route of the ammunition group. Yellow Hand keeps his word and sets them free. Hickok sends Jane to warn Custer and sets out to warn and join the group.
These are the kinds of adventures that made up the majority of films in the past. Heroic deeds and efforts made for the greater good. They were done for far less money than movies today are made and boosted the careers of most involved. Cooper is at his best here, with a sly wink and a wise word here or there. Arthur does a fantastic job as the longtime love of Hickok who pined for him waiting for the day he would finally marry her. And director Cecil B. DeMille showed why he was one of the biggest directors in Hollywood at the time.
Yes, I understand that reality and movie magic are two different things. I know that there are a large number of items in this movie that take place out of order from what we see. I know that it’s politically incorrect to portray Native Americans this way. And I know that these heroes of a bygone era were not the squeaky clean images that are portrayed here. I also know that this is a movie made for entertainment and not a history lesson. These movies were made during the great depression, a time when we needed heroes to look up to, to inspire. And they accomplished that.
If you enjoy movies from this time period or are a fan of
Gary Cooper then you will no doubt love this movie. Odds are good that you’ll
add it to your collection. Kino Lorber has done a fine job of bringing this old
movie new life in their blu-ray release of the film. It includes an audio
commentary track by film critic and author Simon Abrams and a collection of
trailers for this film and others. It’s worth picking up.
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