SincereFinest disgusting, overrated, pointless
Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?
Beanbioca As Good As It Gets
Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Scott LeBrun Joan Crawford once again displays that natural screen presence in the role of Vienna, a saloon owner who is regularly targeted by people in town. Her primary nemesis is Emma (Mercedes McCambridge), a self righteous bitch who is absolutely hellbent on either running Vienna out of town or actually having her hanged. Sterling Hayden is the title character, a traveling musician and a lover from Viennas' past. And charismatic young Scott Brady is The Dancin' Kid, the rascally character who stole the hearts of both women.Director Nicholas Ray does know how to reel you in right away, with an opening action set piece and the intense confrontations in the saloon that will soon follow. His is an interesting, intentionally offbeat Western. Based on the novel by Roy Chanslor, it spins a yarn in which the women take centre stage and the men often plod along in their wake. It's been praised for its symbolism, and some viewers see it as an allegory for the "Red Scare" of the era. It's gorgeously shot in "Trucolor" by Harry Stradling Sr., with the lavish interiors of Viennas' saloon contrasting with some of the stark exteriors. Victor Youngs' music is also aces. The dialogue is quite literate at times and has some choice quips as well. Although Philip Yordan is credited with the screenplay, it was actually director Ray himself and the blacklisted Ben Maddow who worked on it.The actors ignite some definite sparks. Behind the scenes friction between the principals results in some great film moments. Crawford, Hayden, McCambridge, and Brady are extremely well ed by a cast full of recognizable faces: Ward Bond, Ben Cooper, Ernest Borgnine, John Carradine, Royal Dano, Frank Ferguson, Paul Fix, Rhys Williams, Ian MacDonald, Trevor Bardette, Robert Osterloh, Denver Pyle, and Sheb Wooley. Borgnine steals his scenes as the Dancin' Kids' volatile associate Bart, but McCambridge is the true MVP of this production. She's superb at playing severely repressed and indignant."Johnny Guitar" was not a hit in its time, but appreciation for it has only grown over the 63 years since its release.Eight out of 10.
philip-davies31 I used to run a film society. My tastes are very eclectic. But this parade of tortured perversity masquerading as art makes a foolish exhibition out of the Western genre. The film is a highly-elaborated and unreal contrivance of introverted pretension. It is so full of 'meanings' that it is utterly incomprehensible, and so hysterically excitable as to be revolting and ridiculous. The airless narcissism is stifling. The whole thing is like finding oneself at a fancy-dress party where everybody is drunk or drugged to the point of delirium yet no-one is happy, and where confusion and oblivion are the suicidal social dynamic. The whole film degenerates into something like a drug-induced nightmare, offering nothing more than a glimpse into the desperate and doomed attempts of a confused and disordered mind to clarify itself by indulging in ever more of the vivid but febrile fantasies that seem to promise so much illumination, yet deliver only madness. 'Switch on, tune in and drop out' as the hippy mantra had it.Fascinating to those of uncertain temperament who like playing with their own peculiar failings, the movie is utterly revolting to those who need to engage with some experience that can be measured against a more recognisable reality. Many people still do not recognise the camp or the kitsch this film represents as anything more than a certain form of self-indulgent vulgarity that is content to perversely parade itself as the height of artistic sensibility. Count me as one of those who doubt the value of such a futile exercise. The entire cultural model in which this film is steeped disqualifies it from being taken seriously - except insofar as it is an offence against good taste. It is an ugly parody of anything artistic. It might amaze the perpetrators of such schlock to reflect that Oscar Wilde had the intelligence and taste to avoid all such vulgarity in his work! But then he wrote long before this self-congratulatory and self-indulgent cult of campness elevated outrageous eccentricity and egomania above serious talent. And, yes, I am calling out Nicolas Ray and I'm saying that, if he's a genius, then so is Ed Wood.
Byrdz If you like western scenery, this one is for you. The outdoor shots were filmed in Red Canyon Crossing, Sedona,AZ. The red rocks and the Arizona colors are spectacular. The movie itself, however, not so much ! Much has been said about the "plot" and the "cult wonderfulness" of the film. I did not "get it". I usually just watch a film and either like it or not. This one tho' PHEW! I was distracted by so many things, the awful makeup done by Crawford herself and by the gosh-darn-terrible scene chewing by the "leading ladies" BOTH of them. Not to mention the total lack of chemistry between the "love interests" . The ing players did their best with what they were given. Carradine, Borgnine, Bond and Royal Dano among the best.Don't usually react to stuff like this but : Johnny Guitar tells Vienna that it's like hiding out with a lit lantern as she is flouncing around the woods and rocks in her White Chiffon swirly whirly dress. She just happens to have a clothesline in her cave's basement with garments handy for changing into. So what does she pick ? A SCARLET SHIRT ! For hiding in the woods !The whole "phantom of the opera" like scene with the piano in the cave ... ugh ! Another "pick-picky". McCambridge gleefully shoots down the chandelier and the building immediately erupts into total flame mode. The go to the bridge and do their little rope trick and come back much to the STILL BURNING BUILDING ! It's that kind of a picture. Called a "masterpiece" by some but not by all.
OllieSuave-007 I've watched this movie once on TV with my dad. Though I don't ed much from it, I do recall being pretty intrigued by the overall story, rooting for the cowgirl-like character Vienna (Joan Crawford) stand up against an evil gang, led by the nefarious and cold Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge).I ed Emma Small being a notorious and evil character and provided much of the thrills and suspense in the movie, and seeing Vienna trying to outdo the bad Emma was nothing short of satisfying.Though released in 1954, the movie was filmed in brilliant color and, while the acting may have had its campy moments and the plot could have used more good guy vs. bad guy elements, it was still a pretty exciting little western for me as a kid to watch back in the day.Grade B-
