WILLIAM WELLMAN

[JackFavell]

Nothing Sacred is one of those movies that I grew to like very much, the subsequent viewings are always better and better. Good to know that we have a decent print to look forward to.

I can't bear seeing this one and A Star is Born so faded and drab looking, when they were so obviously meant to shine and sparkle. I can't imagine what Wellman or any of the hundreds of people who worked on the films and the set designers would think coming back today to watch their films all choked of life due to age and grime over the years.

[CineMaven]

You know, I wonder if they could even imagine their films are being watched fifty, sixty...seventy - eighty years later... THAT would be the wonderment. Imagine something you've done today being looked at or thought and written about in 2062.

[JackFavell]

Like this message board?

[Lzcutter]

I hear that Bill Wellman, Jr is working on another book about his dad. I don't have any details but I've heard this from a couple of different sources!

[JackFavell]

Awesome news, Lynn!

[feaito]

Thanks for that information Lynn.

[RedRiver]

I'm not an expert on this director's work, but some wonderful films have been mentioned. I'll reiterate the haunting OXBOW INCIDENT, the elegant comedy, NOTHING SACRED, the sharp and exciting YELLOW SKY, and with all respect to Mr. Cukor, the very best version of the oft told STAR IS BORN. It's one of our great melodramas.

[feaito]

During the weekend I watched a very interesting and rousing "Western" directed by Wellman at MGM: "Robin Hood of El Dorado" (1936) which tells the story of Mexican outlaw Joaquín Murrieta. There is a theory that states that Murrieta was born in the town of Quillota, in my country: Chile.

The prologue of the film states that this story is not based on fact, because Murrieta's life has been subject of many stories and is quite legendary. Warner Baxter stars as Murrieta, a peaceful, honest and decent man who was forced to become a bandit -in this version of the story- due to terribly painful circumstances caused by the "actions" of bad "gringos", who took over California after Mexico lost it to the USA.

Baxter is absolutely likable and heroic as Murrieta and one can't help feeling sorry for him all the way through the film and despising the bad "gringos".

Margo has a brief role as Murrieta's beloved and lovely wife; beautiful Ann Loring is the understanding, smart and dignified Señorita of the Ranch where Murrieta works as a "peón" when the story begins, and who later on....(I won't spoil it); J. Carrol Naish is a an unpleasant villain who at the same time is likable in a way, and becomes Murrieta's foremost admirer and later his sidekick. Bruce Cabot and Eric Linden are decent Americans who befriend Murrieta and his blind mother.

The movie has spectacular action scenes and is skillfully directed by Wellman. A very fine discovery and much better than I thought it would be.

[JackFavell]

I really love this movie for a couple of reasons, Fer! One is that it's depiction of Murrieta is so sympathetic, and it's version of events seems way ahead of it's time, like something from the 60's or even the 70's. This is the only film Joseph Calleia wrote, in collaboration with Wellman and Melvin Levy. They really make a statement about race that stands up today. It's as non-stereotypical as one can get in 1936, although the format is pure 30's, especially the concentration on the dance numbers. I thought the folk music was lovingly presented and rather sad, as if something was passing by, being lost, and the filmmakers wanted to show how this music was important to the sense of community and background of the people, warning that we should not lose it. Baxter and Naish were great as always. I thought Margo was so lovely, it's a shock what happens. I really enjoyed the two good gringos who help Murrieta.

[intothenitrate]

I had seen that title and thought it sounded like a Saturday serial. Good to know it has heart and substance.

Thanks for the review, you guys. It's on my list now!

[feaito]

I really love this movie for a couple of reasons, Fer! One is that it's depiction of Murrieta is so sympathetic, and it's version of events seems way ahead of it's time, like something from the 60's or even the 70's. This is the only film Joseph Calleia wrote, in collaboration with Wellman and Melvin Levy. They really make a statement about race that stands up today. It's as non-stereotypical as one can get in 1936, although the format is pure 30's, especially the concentration on the dance numbers. I thought the folk music was lovingly presented and rather sad, as if something was passing by, being lost, and the filmmakers wanted to show how this music was important to the sense of community and background of the people, warning that we should not lose it. Baxter and Naish were great as always. I thought Margo was so lovely, it's a shock what happens. I really enjoyed the two good gringos who help Murrieta.

I agree Wen, it does seem ahead of its time and it certainly doesn't look like the typical film produced by MGM in the 1930s; it has good production values, but it doesn't look glossy or overproduced and that is due to Wellman, who was an "independent" craftsman and no "studio"-director.

[JackFavell]

Wellman always surprises me, he's a great favorite of mine now. I love his true grit ( not the movie, but a personality trait!)

[feaito]

I am also quite fond of him Wen.