{"id":26792,"date":"2012-08-10T11:26:26","date_gmt":"2012-08-10T18:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=26792"},"modified":"2022-01-26T16:19:50","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T23:19:50","slug":"westward-the-women-1951","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=26792","title":{"rendered":"Westward the Women (1951)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;On this voyage, there&#8217;s to be no he-ing or she-ing.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Poster-190x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-26797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Poster-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Poster-81x128.jpg 81w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn the 1850s, the founder (John McIntyre) of a California farming valley hires a no-nonsense trail guide (Robert Taylor) to help bring 138 women over from the east, so that his workers will have wives.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Feminism and Women&#8217;s Issues<\/li>\n<li>John McIntire Films<\/li>\n<li>Robert Taylor Films<\/li>\n<li>Settlers<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<li>William Wellman Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nFrank Capra scripted this William Wellman-directed western, which is only loosely based on historical fact yet offers a fascinating perspective on the experiences faced by women during America&#8217;s &#8220;westward movement&#8221;. With just one big-name star (Taylor), the film is essentially an ensemble piece, aiming to depict the collective struggles of females who were bold enough to leave behind their lives in the east for a decidedly dangerous trek across unknown territory. Some &#8212; i.e., a young woman (Beverly Dennis) pregnant with an illegitimate child &#8212; feel they have no other choice; others &#8212; like Hope Emerson&#8217;s stalwart widow &#8212; simply want a new start for themselves (and\/or a man to call their own). Capra&#8217;s script is refreshingly blunt in depicting the most immediate danger posed to the women: lecherous trail hands who view them as easy targets for predatory notions. Once this issue is unexpectedly &#8220;taken care of&#8221;, however, the women then face the daunting task of helping themselves to survive the perilous journey &#8212; which is presented in a shockingly realistic (for the time) fashion. Numerous characters &#8212; some quite likeable &#8212; die throughout the course of the film; as a result, we get an authentic feeling of just how random and senseless death could seem for these travelers.<\/p>\n<p>Taylor is appropriately gruff and stalwart in the lead role, but it&#8217;s the motley women themselves who linger longest in one&#8217;s memory. Larger-than-life Emerson (best known for her performance as a prison warden in 1950&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=26832\"><em>Caged<\/em><\/a>) had perhaps her noblest supporting role here; however, most of her fellow actresses are unknown faces, adding to the film&#8217;s sense of authenticity. Meanwhile, Japanese character-actor Henry Nakamura gives a refreshingly caricature-free performance as &#8220;Ito&#8221; the cook; his drunken scene with Taylor (see still below) provides one of the film&#8217;s most random yet memorable moments. Kudos also belong to Wellman and DP William Mellor, who bring the harsh western landscape to realistic life. (According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/95389\/westward-the-women#articles-reviews?articleId=78378\">TCM&#8217;s article<\/a>, camera filters were used &#8220;as sparingly as possible&#8221; to give &#8220;the film an intentionally stark, sunbaked look&#8221;.) While not all narrative threads work &#8212; obligatory romantic tensions between Taylor and a former showgirl (Denise Darcel) are simply yawn-worthy, for instance &#8212; the majority of the story is a compelling treat, making this a film ffs will want to return to from time to time. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strong direction and cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography1.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography1-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography1-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Cinematography-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A refreshing glimpse at strong females surviving the West<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Strong-Females.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Strong-Females.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Strong-Females.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Strong-Females-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Strong-Females-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Bathing1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Bathing1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Bathing1.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Bathing1-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Bathing1-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine supporting performances by &#8220;the women&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Emerson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Emerson.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Emerson.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Emerson-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Emerson-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Dennis.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Dennis.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Dennis.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Dennis-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Dennis-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Supporting.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Supporting.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Supporting.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Supporting-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Supporting-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Henry Nakamura as Ito<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Nakamura.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Nakamura.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"256\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Nakamura.png 320w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Nakamura-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Westward-the-Women-Nakamura-300x240.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a fine mid-century western representing a unique perspective. Listed as a Sleeper in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good Show<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0044205\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1952\/01\/01\/archives\/westward-the-women-with-robert-taylor-denise-darcel-new-bill-at-the.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/56177\/westward-the-women\/\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s3860west.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/95389\/westward-the-women#articles-reviews?articleId=78378\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/K9Znx_1WSXU\">Tired Old Queen at the Movies Video Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;On this voyage, there&#8217;s to be no he-ing or she-ing.&#8221; Synopsis: In the 1850s, the founder (John McIntyre) of a California farming valley hires a no-nonsense trail guide (Robert Taylor) to help bring 138 women over from the east, so that his workers will have wives. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Feminism and Women&#8217;s Issues John McIntire Films Robert Taylor Films Settlers Westerns William Wellman Films Review: Frank Capra scripted this William Wellman-directed western, which is only loosely based on&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=26792\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26792"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26792\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80649,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26792\/revisions\/80649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}