Review of Brimstone

Director Joseph Kane made a career out of filming "B" Westerns, usually with John Wayne as his lead actor. His 1949 classic "Brimstone" is probably one of his best works, although it and most of his other films are virtually forgotten now. Walter Brennan is the title character and fire and "Brimstone" are what he's all about. As several other reviewers have noted, Brennan mostly repeats his Ike Clanton portrayal from "My Darling Clementine" with a few extra doses of nastiness. He's on screen throughout the movie and carries it off like the true professional he was. Other notables in the cast include Lorna Gray, Jim Davis, James Brown (from the old "Rin Tin Tin" TV series) and Rod Cameron in the lead. He's the "good guy" but Brennan and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams steal the show effortlessly. Williams was in countless movies as Errol Flynn's sidekick alongside his partner Alan Hale Sr. Davis made a name for himself later on "Dallas" in the 1970s. As for Walter Brennan, he's the only man in history to win three Best Supporting Actor Oscars. He could play nice friendly grandfathers and switch over to psychopathic murderers without an acting class in between. For those who only remember Brennan from his days as old Amos McCoy on television, "Brimstone" will give them a much better appreciation of this man's talent and acting virtuosity. He could play one mean dude.