Movies / Stagecoach (1939)

4/10

Runtime: 96 min

Genres: Action Drama Romance Western

Languages: English

Countries: USA


Regarded by many as the best Western ever made, STAGECOACH shot John Wayne to stardom and elevated the prestige of a genre that had hitherto been considered a B-movie province. With rumors in the air of a possible Apache attack, a motley group of travelers in a small New Mexico town board the Overland Stage bound for Lordsburg. Among them are the pregnant Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt); timid liquor salesman Peacock (Donald Meek); Hatfield, an aloof gambler (John Carradine); Gatewood (Berton Churchill), a pompous, embezzling banker; and two who have been exiled from town, alcoholic Doc Boone (Thomas Mitchell) and Dallas (Clair Trevor), a lady of the evening. Along the trail, they pick up the Ringo Kid (John Wayne), an outlaw who's escaped from prison to take revenge on the Plummer brothers for destroying his family and framing him for murder. As their journey progresses, the hypocrisy of the supposedly respectable passengers becomes clear, and it's the tainted outsiders who display courage and humanity. Described by Orson Welles, who watched the film innumerable times before making CITIZEN KANE, as his cinematic textbook, STAGECOACH is superbly made in every respect, layering humor and sharp characterization into an exciting plot that includes a spectacularly photographed chase in Monument Valley.


Directors (1) Credit
John Ford ...
Writers (3) Credit
Ben Hecht uncredited
Dudley Nichols (screenplay)
Ernest Haycox (story)
Composers (1) Credit
Gerard Carbonara (uncredited)
Editors (3) Credit
Dorothy Spencer ...
Otho Lovering ...
Walter Reynolds (uncredited)
Cinematographers (1) Credit
Bert Glennon (director of photography)
Actors (60) Credit
Andy Devine Buck
Artie Ortego Lordsburg Bar Patron (uncredited)
Berton Churchill Gatewood
Bill Cody Rancher (uncredited)
Brenda Fowler Mrs. Gatewood (uncredited)
Bryant Washburn Capt. Simmons (uncredited)
Buddy Roosevelt Rancher (uncredited)
Chief John Big Tree Indian Scout (uncredited)
Chris-Pin Martin Chris (uncredited)
Chuck Stubbs (uncredited)
Claire Trevor Dallas
Cornelius Keefe Capt. Whitney (uncredited)
Danny Borzage (uncredited)
Donald Meek Peacock
Dorothy Appleby Girl in Saloon (uncredited)
Duke R. Lee Lordsburg Sheriff (uncredited)
Ed Brady Lordsburg Saloon Owner (uncredited)
Elvira RĂ­os Yakima (uncredited)
Florence Lake Nancy Whitney (uncredited)
Francis Ford Billy Pickett (uncredited)
Frank Baker (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum Deputy Frank (uncredited)
Fritzi Brunette Bit Part (uncredited)
George Bancroft Curley
Hank Worden Cavalryman Extra (uncredited)
Harry Tenbrook Telegraph Operator (uncredited)
Helen Gibson Girl in Saloon (uncredited)
Jack Curtis Bartender (uncredited)
Jack Pennick Bartender in Tonto (uncredited)
Jim Mason Jim - Tonto Express Agent (uncredited)
Joe Rickson Ike Plummer (uncredited)
John Carradine Hatfield
John Wayne Ringo Kid
J.P. McGowan (uncredited)
Kent Odell Billy Pickett Jr (uncredited)
Louise Platt Lucy Mallory
Louis Mason Tonto Sheriff (uncredited)
Marga Ann Deighton Mrs. Pickett (uncredited)
Mary Kathleen Walker Lucy's Infant (uncredited)
Merrill McCormick Ogler (uncredited)
Mickey Simpson (uncredited)
Nora Cecil Boone's Landlady (uncredited)
Patricia Doyle Bit Part (uncredited)
Paul McVey Pony Express Agent (uncredited)
Robert Homans Ed - Editor (uncredited)
Si Jenks Bartender (uncredited)
Steve Clemente Bit (uncredited)
Ted Billings Bit Part (uncredited)
Tex Driscoll Bit Part (uncredited)
Theodore Lorch Lordsburg Express Agent (uncredited)
Thomas Mitchell Doc Boone
Tim Holt Lieutenant
Tom Tyler Luke Plummer
Vester Pegg Hank Plummer (uncredited)
Walter McGrail Capt. Sickel (uncredited)
Whitehorse Indian Chief (uncredited)
Wiggie Blowne Bit Part (uncredited)
William Hopper Sergeant (uncredited)
Woody Strode Man in Saloon (uncredited)
Yakima Canutt Cavalry Scout (uncredited)