{"id":2955,"date":"2007-04-08T21:38:41","date_gmt":"2007-04-09T04:38:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2955"},"modified":"2022-02-01T00:16:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T07:16:31","slug":"devils-doorway-1950","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2955","title":{"rendered":"Devil&#8217;s Doorway (1950)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;An Indian without land loses his soul; his heart withers.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Poster-115x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"115\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-30924\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Poster-115x300.jpg 115w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Poster-49x128.jpg 49w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Poster-394x1024.jpg 394w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 115px) 100vw, 115px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen Shoshone Civil War hero Lance Poole (Robert Taylor) returns home to find that he is no longer legally entitled to his land, he enlists the help of a sympathetic female lawyer (Paula Raymond).\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>Anthony Mann Films<\/li>\n<li>Louis Calhern Films<\/li>\n<li>Native Americans<\/li>\n<li>Race Relations<\/li>\n<li>Robert Taylor Films<\/li>\n<li>Settlers<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Devil&#8217;s Doorway<\/em> holds a special place in cinematic history, for two distinct reasons: it was Anthony Mann&#8217;s first western, and, along with <em>Broken Arrow<\/em> (released around the same time), it was the first western to depict Indians as worthy protagonists rather than savage villains. As always in Mann&#8217;s work, however, nothing is black-and-white: the sheepherders who are hoping to stake claims on Lance&#8217;s land have themselves been duped by an unscrupulous lawyer (Louis Calhern) into believing they won&#8217;t meet any resistance; meanwhile, Lance &#8212; though completely justified in his desire to defend his property &#8212; refuses to compromise until it&#8217;s too late. <\/p>\n<p>Although Taylor is unconvincing as an Indian (he simply doesn&#8217;t look the part), he does a decent job portraying a decorated war hero who bitterly refuses to give in to unjust laws. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor-1024x661.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"413\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-61362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor-1024x661.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor-128x83.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor-768x496.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor-1536x992.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor-418x270.png 418w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Taylor.png 1581w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Less impressive is Paula Raymond as the female lawyer Lance hires to assist him in his case; she&#8217;s all quivering lips and forlorn expressions, when surely any woman brave enough to become a lawyer during this early period in American history would have been made of tougher stuff. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2-1024x681.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-61361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2-1024x681.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2-128x85.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2-1536x1021.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2-406x270.png 406w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Raymond2.png 1539w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And while Louis Calhern is appropriately sinister as the racist lawyer determined to chase Lance off his land, he&#8217;s ultimately a one-dimensional baddie. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern-1024x674.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"421\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-61360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern-1024x674.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern-128x84.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern-768x505.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern-1536x1011.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern-410x270.png 410w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Calhern.png 1555w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, the performances aren&#8217;t what really count here: the brave script, exciting action sequences, gorgeous cinematography, and historical relevance more than redeem this groundbreaking film. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Listen for Lance&#8217;s final line in the film: it&#8217;s a zinger. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some exciting action sequences<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Action.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Action-1024x664.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"415\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47717\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Action-1024x664.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Action-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Action-128x83.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Action-768x498.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Action.png 1489w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Beautiful cinematography of the American west<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-West.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-West-1024x652.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"408\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-West-1024x652.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-West-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-West-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-West-768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-West.png 1501w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A groundbreaking depiction of Native Americans as worthy protagonists<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans-1024x624.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47715\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans-1024x624.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans-128x78.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans-768x468.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans-1536x936.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans.png 1593w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans2-1024x644.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"403\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans2-1024x644.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans2-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans2-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans2-768x483.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/04\/Devils-Doorway-Native-Americans2.png 1531w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes. While it&#8217;s listed as a cult movie in the back of Peary&#8217;s book, it&#8217;s actually more relevant today for its historical importance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0042395\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/993\/devils-doorway#articles-reviews?articleId=135957\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1950\/11\/10\/archives\/the-screen-five-new-films-arrive-at-local-theatres-king-solomons.html\">NY Times Original Review (scroll down to second review)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/noiroftheweek.blogspot.com\/2007\/01\/devils-doorway-1950.html\">Film Noir of the Week Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;An Indian without land loses his soul; his heart withers.&#8221; Synopsis: When Shoshone Civil War hero Lance Poole (Robert Taylor) returns home to find that he is no longer legally entitled to his land, he enlists the help of a sympathetic female lawyer (Paula Raymond). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Anthony Mann Films Louis Calhern Films Native Americans Race Relations Robert Taylor Films Settlers Westerns Review: Devil&#8217;s Doorway holds a special place in cinematic history, for two distinct reasons: it&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2955\"> 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-2955","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\/2955","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=2955"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80839,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2955\/revisions\/80839"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}