Dodge City [PG]

The Civil War has ended and the steam train has replaced the stagecoach as the fastest postage delivery service. All efforts are now going into rebuilding the West, starting with the newly founded little community of Dodge City: symbolizing industry, trade, and honour, all the traits of the West. But soon the city falls into the hands of less than savoury characters, thieves, gamblers, and gunslingers and it becomes the desire of cattle rustler Wade Hatton to take up position of Sherriff and turn the town around. But the task proves more of a challenge when it becomes clear that an old enemy of Hatton’s owns Dodge City. 

What better way to spend a rainy Tuesday night than with an Errol Flynn western? Despite the fact that there is not really anything going on in terms of story or indeed performances, Dodge City still stands as an engaging and enjoyable movie, complete with an entire laundry list of classic Hollywood western clichés! 

The Civil War has ended and the steam train has replaced the stagecoach as the fastest postage delivery service. All efforts are now going into rebuilding the West, starting with the newly founded little community of Dodge City: symbolizing industry, trade, and honour, all the traits of the West. But soon the city falls into the hands of less than savoury characters, thieves, gamblers, and gunslingers and it becomes the desire of cattle rustler Wade Hatton to take up position of Sherriff and turn the town around. But the task proves more of a challenge when it becomes clear that an old enemy of Hatton’s owns Dodge City.

Errol Flynn in his Western debut! There was concern that the swashbuckling Tassie Devil wouldn’t be at home on the Western screen in spurs and camel shirts with fringe, but there was little need for it. Flynn proves that he’s just as at home on horseback with a gun as he is on the high seas with a sword! Although he’s just as gorgeous as ever and charming to boot, I do have to admit that there isn’t all that much to applaud in terms of his acting. Errol Flynn is really just Errol Flynn in whatever he does and this hard truth does hit home specifically in this film as he’s meant to be playing an Irishman. Sadly, no adorable Irish accent escapes from his toothpick moustached mouth and he just becomes another charmer on horseback. 

As I mentioned before, this movie comes complete with an entire collected works of Hollywood Western clichés, including a memorable saloon brawl scene, a climactic stand off on a train, and a kiss on horseback against the setting sun. Is there more than one could ask for? 

Starring Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sheridan, Bruce Cabot, Frank McHugh, Alan Hale, John Litel, Henry Travers, Henry O’Neill, Victor Jory, Guinn ‘Big Boy’ Williams, Gloria Holden, and Douglas Fowley, Dodge City is a mediocre but nevertheless entertaining movie filled with action, adventure, drama, romance, murder, and comedy. While there is nothing to critically acclaim, it still provides a fair few thrills and is perfect for those times when you just want to while away an hour or two.