Boring
What a BORING movie this is, couldn't finish it. Just a bunch of little stories with nothing tying them together.
shareAnyone who believes that Canyon Passage is a boring little film is used to watching video games and has no credibility when it comes to judging film. You must be eleven years old. No adult with any sense would say that. From the art direction, to the locale, the use of noir lighting in color, the cinematography, through the lighting in the brutal fight between Dana Andrews and Ward Bond, the haunting mood of this film, what it has to say about loyalty and friendship this film is a classic. If I were you, I'd go in for a CAT scan.
shareA brutal fight in a western? Really? Wow - how original. Don't see that too often...By the way, I'm middle aged and haven't played a video game in about 15 years. OK - so it was a great location, great cinematography, great lighting. But not a great plot. I love "classic" film, but they have to be engaging, wanting me to care what happens. This was just another "template" western - same old stories over and over. It just bored me - no tension when Brian Donlevy was on trial, no relief when Ward Bond was killed - just didn't care anymore. Did Dana Andrews ever get rich? Didn't stay to find out - didn't care. I was at least hoping Susan Hayward would be a hottie, but was disappointed in that - what a horrible hairstyle. So, you see, I did make an honest attempt to watch this film, even past the point where it began to bore me - when Ward Bond went after the Indian girl, I said "enough already, is there a story here?".
shareOddly, I was bored, too and I expected to like this film due not only to the director and stars, but because I love classic films (and westerns)in general.
But the first half hour was so damn slow. Then I just knew Brian Donlevy was gonna become a tragic figure simply by how he greeted Susan Hayward after not seeing her for a month. Hell, even Dana Andrews' character noticed it.
Reviews say Hoagy Carmichael was a shopkeeper. Not by me. He looked to have no means of support other than the tree or building he was leaning on at any given moment. Sure, he sang some terrific songs. But as a Puck-like figure, he wasn't realistic, nor did he fit in -- not even at the end, when out of the blue he joins Andrew's mule train so he could lead the movie out with "Ole Buttermilk Sky".
And why should slightly-built Dana Andrews be able to stand off the hulking Ward Bond, not once, but twice and best him in a fight as well.
This film just didn't add up for me.
In answer to the two of you, tkasle and the other one who was bored with "Canyon Passage", a fight scene like that had never been shot before. So it was unique. Short and brutal, beyond anything made before. And how did Dana Andrews even the odds? He smashed a full bottle of liquor over Ward Bond's head, leaving him gruesomely bloody. Then he broke a chair over his head twice. No movie fight had ever been shot like that. "The Spoilers" was glorious but heavily choreographed. The Tourneur touch in this film is felt throughout. This is a different western, granted, but it broke all records for Universal and, for me, it is truely magical. Obviously, you two don't agree with me and Bob Osborne. But he and I will struggle through the day, regardless.
shareI'll jump in and say the film was pretty good certainly not great or classic but I've been around a good long time and had never even heard of it until I saw it was going to be on TCM the other day. So I had little expectations since I had never heard of this film but was mildly interested to see it when I saw that it had Dana Andrews, Ward Bond and some good character actors in it, plus being directed by CAT PEOPLE director Tourneur. I'd say it was a good try at a good western but it came up short in the end. I really have no interest to see it again, sorry Bob Osborne and Co.- no magic for me I'm afraid.... (-:
shareNobody can convince anyone that rocky road ice cream tastes good if he/she thinks it tastes like mayonaise gone bad. Osborne and Company/critics/audiences don't agree with you, but this is not a right or wrong object lesson. I loathe baseball and the American public disagrees with me. The national sport has been sold to me in every possible way, and, even as a kid, it only produced a yawn. So I have countered the three of you with every reason why this film is special, and you three see it as I see baseball. Time out. I'm going to get some rocky road ice cream.
shareHurray for you for standing up for what you and I know is true. "Canyon Passage" was written by one of the Westerns very greatest writers and the adaptation of it for the screen was very well done. Stunning cinematography,too, but for me this film has authentic people for characters that is why it is slower getting started. There is so much to tell about these people and so much to show of what life was like back in them days. I don't care if others disagree with me, I know this film has not been forgotten. I even read a very deep and longish critique of it in the New York Times a few years back and the true "Knowers" about film agree with us brianwt! These others don't get it and that's a pity for them.
How shall the stars on the cheeks of this mandrill find a number?
As Voltaire said, "The taste of others in movies, as in love, is always astonishing." Well, actually he said "literature" instead of "movies", but if he were around today he probably would say "movies". Anyway its the same sentiment.
I saw Canyon Passage as a kid in the 1950's in a movie house. It was in re-release mode, I guess. I saw part of it once again on TV long ago. Liked it but would have never remembered the name. Thanks to this msg board discussion, I will now order the 5-movie boxed set which includes it.
Dana Andrews is one of my favorite tough guys. Unfortunately he did not make very many westerns.
He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good... St. Matthew 5:45
Just re-reading the comments about this film and remembering that Dana Andrews made what most scholars and critics of film say is in the 10 greatest westerns ever made: "The Oxbow Incident". With a film like that in his resume, he truly will never be forgotten.
Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.
I liked Canyon Passage, which I watched just last night on my new DVD, much better than The Oxbow Incident. I wouldn't put the latter in my top forty. Remember my Voltaire "quote"!
He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good... St. Matthew 5:45