Schryer

The basic premise of this movie is quite simple: a young man with no particular talent but a quick draw (Chad Everett) wants to feel important by out drawing the fastest draw around -- an experienced marshall played by Glenn Ford. As the movie progresses, a bond of mutual affection develops between the young gunfighter and the old marshall. The marshall tries every way he can to avoid the inevitable gunfight which he know he will win. This movie is essentially about relationships and the differences between youth and maturity rather than just another gunfight. It's one of my top ten westerns.

The Brotherhood of the Bell is an elite fraternity whose members effectively control much of the government and non-government power in the U.S. Glenn Ford's character is a disillusioned member of the Brotherhood who attempts to expose it following the suicide of a friend whom it has victimized. Ford's attempts to expose the Brotherhood bring its power to bear on him, resulting in the destruction of his reputation, his job, and even his marriage. So convincing was this movie that I was left with the impression that much of the real power in this country could indeed be held by an elite oligarchy of rich and powerful people without the awareness of the general populace. See this one if you can.

I love this movie. I realize that many of the facts of Chopin's life have been altered in order to make an appealing story which fits into a normal-length movie. Despite this, this movie has much to commend it, starting with the fact that it is filled with some of the best music Chopin -- or anyone, for that matter -- ever wrote (played, I believe, by Jose Iturbi). Also, unlike one reviewer, I find it well cast, and well acted as well -- in the style of the time in which it was made. In my view this movie is characteristic of both the strong points and flaws of Hollywood's golden age.