“In the old days, we had one important rule: get there.”
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wells-Fargo-Poster-115x300.jpg)
Synopsis:
An ambitious messenger (Joel McCrea) for the Wells Fargo Company in pre-Civil War America helps shape the future of communication and banking across the states while maintaining a long-distance marriage with his southern wife (Frances Dee).
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Genres:
- Frances Dee Films
- Historical Drama
- Joel McCrea Films
- Westerns
Review:
The primary goal of this episodic western is to showcase the impressive historical trajectory of transcontinental communication in 19th century United States: we’re shown the marvel of eating fresh oysters in New York (before salmonella sets in!):
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wells-Fargo-Oysters-1024x655.png)
… the remarkable ability for Americans to send letters to their loved ones during the Gold Rush:
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wells-Fargo-Letters-1024x652.png)
… and the challenges of transferring money during an era of continuous robberies and land battles across the nation.
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wells-Fargo-Gold-1024x639.png)
However, the jam-packed storyline is hampered by far too many historic moments in one movie, as well as too much time spent on McCrea’s marital challenges.
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wells-Fargo-Marital2.png)
This film will primarily be of interest to McCrea fans wanting to see him in his first film opposite Dee (his real-life spouse).
Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
- Interesting historic footage of the dangerous, time-consuming work involved in helping Americans communicate
![](http://filmfanatic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wells-Fargo-Wagons-1024x640.png)
Must See?
No, unless you’re a fan of this type of historical western.
Links:
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One thought on “Wells Fargo (1937)”
First viewing. A once-must, for its place in cinema history and its historical significance. I’m more enthusiastic about this film than the assessment given here. I take a particular interest in this kind of document re: the progressive American spirit, esp. if it has a compelling thrust (which this does).
I tried to check online for more of the facts behind this film – but neither Wikipedia nor IMDb have much of anything in terms of backstory. Nevertheless, the film does largely appear believable (if nothing else).
I don’t agree that the film covers “far too many historic moments in one movie”. On the contrary, the film serves as an overview of the vast extent of inter-personal need in the early pioneer days. (Having just read Kurt Andersen’s ‘Fantasyland’ – and its coverage of the gold-mining craze, among many other things – it was nice to see this film as an illustration of some of Andersen’s thesis.) The film is also simply an interesting story.
Side Note: This was not the first film pairing McCrea and Dee. They met in 1933 during the filming of ‘The Silver Cord’. Personally, I always liked them as a couple (they were married for an astonishing 57 years) and I particularly like their obvious chemistry in this film.