"Western Union" as one might expect, is about the building of the Western Union telegraph line to the west. It takes place in 1861 at the out break of the American Civil War. In fact a note from Abraham Lincoln is read wishing the company good luck and expressing the need for coast to coast communication as soon as possible.
Outlaw on the run Vance Shaw (Randolph Scott) saves the life of surveyor Edward Creighton (Dean Jagger). Later, Vance goes to work for Western Union unaware that Creighton is now the boss. Creighton promises Shaw that their previous meeting will be kept confidential.Tenderfoot surveyor from the east Richard Blake (Robert Young) arrives on the scene. Both he and Shaw pursue Creighton's comely young sister Sue (Virginia Gilmore.
A group of renegades professing allegiance to the south and led by outlaw Jack Slade (Barton MacLane) begin raids on the Western Union camps stealing their horses and cattle. Vance goes after them and discovers that the gang doing the raiding are his former gang. Eventually this leads to a confrontation between Vance and Slade.
"Western Union" is directed by Fritz Lang who had a soft spot for American Westerns. He gives us plenty of action and color. There are encounters with a herd of buffalo, a Indian attack, a spectacular fire and a gunfight finale to enjoy. The Technicolor photography is breath taking showing long lines of telegraph poles stretched across the open prairie, a colorful town that has more than just the usual main street, an opening sequence showing Scott galloping through a herd of buffalo across the hills escaping a pursuing posse. Perhaps the most spectacular color sequence is the fire set to the camp by the renegades.
Scott is excellent as the man with a past as is Jagger (with hair) as the tough no nonsense boss. Robert Young though giving a competent performance seems to me to be miscast in a western setting. Others in the cast include John Carradine as the camp doctor, Slim Summerville along for comedy relief, as the camp cook and Chill Wills as Homer, one of the linemen. Chief Big Tree, Chief Thundercloud and Iron Eyes Cody appear in various Indian roles.
An under rated western to be sure.
Outlaw on the run Vance Shaw (Randolph Scott) saves the life of surveyor Edward Creighton (Dean Jagger). Later, Vance goes to work for Western Union unaware that Creighton is now the boss. Creighton promises Shaw that their previous meeting will be kept confidential.Tenderfoot surveyor from the east Richard Blake (Robert Young) arrives on the scene. Both he and Shaw pursue Creighton's comely young sister Sue (Virginia Gilmore.
A group of renegades professing allegiance to the south and led by outlaw Jack Slade (Barton MacLane) begin raids on the Western Union camps stealing their horses and cattle. Vance goes after them and discovers that the gang doing the raiding are his former gang. Eventually this leads to a confrontation between Vance and Slade.
"Western Union" is directed by Fritz Lang who had a soft spot for American Westerns. He gives us plenty of action and color. There are encounters with a herd of buffalo, a Indian attack, a spectacular fire and a gunfight finale to enjoy. The Technicolor photography is breath taking showing long lines of telegraph poles stretched across the open prairie, a colorful town that has more than just the usual main street, an opening sequence showing Scott galloping through a herd of buffalo across the hills escaping a pursuing posse. Perhaps the most spectacular color sequence is the fire set to the camp by the renegades.
Scott is excellent as the man with a past as is Jagger (with hair) as the tough no nonsense boss. Robert Young though giving a competent performance seems to me to be miscast in a western setting. Others in the cast include John Carradine as the camp doctor, Slim Summerville along for comedy relief, as the camp cook and Chill Wills as Homer, one of the linemen. Chief Big Tree, Chief Thundercloud and Iron Eyes Cody appear in various Indian roles.
An under rated western to be sure.