I was dubious when this film began as to whether I would like it or not. An acting troupe in the old west performing plays and operas seemed a sluggish opening but 15 minutes in I started to realise that this was just scene setting. An oddly cast Anthony Quinn is the actor manager and Sophia Loren his leading lady. Splendid support from Eileen Eckhart, Margaret O'brien and Edmund Lowe start to make this work for me. The addition of Steve Forrest probably in the best part I recall seeing him in, as a gunman trying to collect a debt from Ramon Novarro who would rather send thugs to kill him, raises the atmosphere to a serious western level, the only one I believe directed by George Cukor. As a lover of westerns I was really hooked at this stage and there some really good scenes I thought as the actors start to venture out into the wild, threatened with authentic looking Indians and beautiful landscape shots. There's much to laugh at along the way and subtle sexual tension between Loren and the male leads. In spite of being miscast, I rather liked seeing Quinn in this unusual part, and he is quite nuanced, trying to come to terms with his true feelings for Loren. It's clearly Sophia's film all the way and she looks ravishing in a blonde hair do and considering her age and having to handle the English language, gives a brilliant performance. 8 stars from me for a surprisingly entertaining movie.
Review of Heller in Pink Tights
