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6.4/10
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In Medicine Bow, a newly arrived eastern schoolteacher is courted by two cowpokes but their courtship is interrupted by violent incidents involving local cattle rustlers.In Medicine Bow, a newly arrived eastern schoolteacher is courted by two cowpokes but their courtship is interrupted by violent incidents involving local cattle rustlers.In Medicine Bow, a newly arrived eastern schoolteacher is courted by two cowpokes but their courtship is interrupted by violent incidents involving local cattle rustlers.
Victor Adamson
- Barfly
- (uncredited)
Stanley Andrews
- Rancher
- (uncredited)
John Barton
- Barfly
- (uncredited)
Charles Bates
- Boy Prisoner
- (uncredited)
Hank Bell
- Rider with News of Teacher
- (uncredited)
Nana Bryant
- Mrs. Wood
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOne of over 700 Paramount productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since. It received its first telecast in Philadelphia Monday 2 March 1959 on WCAU (Channel 10), followed by Asheville 29 March 1959 on WLOS (Channel 13), by Milwaukee 11 April 1959 on WITI (Channel 6), by St. Louis 25 April 1959 on KMOX (Channel 4), by Chicago and Seattle 6 May 1959 on WBBM (Channel 2) and KIRO (Channel 7) by Denver 16 May 1959 on KBTV (Channel 9), by Minneapolis 3 June 1959 on WSTCN (Channel 11), by Toledo 27 October 1959 on WTOL (Channel 11), by Detroit 9 November 1959 on WJBK (Channel 2), by Los Angeles 20 February 1960 on KNXT (Channel 2), by New York City 30 July 1960 on WCBS (Channel 2), and by San Francisco 9 May 1961 on KPIX (Channel 5). At this time, color broadcasting was in its infancy, limited to only a small number of high rated programs, primarily on NBC and NBC affiliated stations, so most vintage film showings were still in B&W. Viewers were not offered the opportunity to see these films in their original Technicolor until several years later. It was released on DVD 31 March 2011 as part of the Universal Vault Series, and again on 12 March 2013 as part of Universal's Classic Westerns: 10-Movie Collection; since that time, it's also been aired occasionally on cable TV on both Turner Classic Movies and Encore's Western Channel.
- GoofsWhen Molly first arrives at her cabin, she hears an animal howling. Mr Taylor says it is a coyote. But what we hear is actually the howl of a wolf. A coyote's cry is a barking, whining sound.
- Quotes
Steve Andrews: A fine way to treat a lady!
Virginian: How was I to know she was a lady? She was with you, wasn't she?
- ConnectionsVersion of The Virginian (1914)
Featured review
One-dimensional western based on famous western novel...
The best thing about THE VIRGINIAN is the pretty school teacher played by Barbara Britton, and very convincingly too. Shortly upon her arrival in town she's met by two cowboy friends, Sonny Tufts and Joel McCrea. As is standard for many a western, at first she and The Virginian (Joel McCrea) don't get on--sort of like an earlier screen western starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland ("Dodge City") where they meet and fall out immediately before winding up in love before the final reel.
But, as is usual in these westerns, although she eventually falls for McCrea, she struggles against losing him in a fight with villainous Trampas (Brian Donlevy), always attired in black so we get the picture. But before the finish, she and the hero ride horseback into the setting sunset. The story has the flavor of a Zane Grey western novel, although penned by Owen Wister.
The simple tale has some nice performances from the star trio (McCrea, Britton and Tufts), but it's Fay Bainter and Henry O'Neill who give it a warm touch as a couple of homesteaders who take the schoolmarm in.
Nothing about the tale suggests why it is such a classic by Owen Wister, especially in this rather humdrum version where the most striking asset is the beautiful Technicolor scenery. The plot is slight, to say the least, and there's little punch to the predictable ending.
The only real surprise is the fact that McCrea's code of honor permits him to let his old friend hang for a rustling crime. It's the only original and surprising touch in the story.
But, as is usual in these westerns, although she eventually falls for McCrea, she struggles against losing him in a fight with villainous Trampas (Brian Donlevy), always attired in black so we get the picture. But before the finish, she and the hero ride horseback into the setting sunset. The story has the flavor of a Zane Grey western novel, although penned by Owen Wister.
The simple tale has some nice performances from the star trio (McCrea, Britton and Tufts), but it's Fay Bainter and Henry O'Neill who give it a warm touch as a couple of homesteaders who take the schoolmarm in.
Nothing about the tale suggests why it is such a classic by Owen Wister, especially in this rather humdrum version where the most striking asset is the beautiful Technicolor scenery. The plot is slight, to say the least, and there's little punch to the predictable ending.
The only real surprise is the fact that McCrea's code of honor permits him to let his old friend hang for a rustling crime. It's the only original and surprising touch in the story.
helpful•67
- Doylenf
- May 22, 2012
- How long is The Virginian?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Owen Wister's American Classic: The Virginian
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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