BATTLE-HEAT! Untamed men clash in a well of violence!
Cowboy Dan Somers and oilman Jim "Hunk" Gardner compete for oil lease rights on Indian land in Oklahoma, as well as for the favors of schoolteacher Cathy Allen.
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War is a bit strong a word, more like scuffle of the wildcats. John Wayne & Albert Dekker compete for oil rights on Indian territory, and for the attention of Martha Scott in this Republic Pictures film shot out of Utah, USA. An interesting Western of sorts due to its characters and its more modern setting, with Wayne & Dekker playing the old and new factions of the West. It's based on a story by Thomson Burtis who co-writes the script along with Eleanore Griffin and Ethel Hill. Albert Rogell directs in the workmanlike way that befits his career. A pretty mundane story is in truth saved by its final third, where thankfully the action picks up and we are treated to something resembling a pulse. The light hearted approach to the romantic strand doesn't sit quite right, and a glorious fist fight between the two protagonists is ruined by Rogell being unable to disguise the stunt men doing the work. But hey, stunt men deserve their moment of glory always. Solid support comes from George 'Gabby' Hayes and Wayne as usual has much screen charisma, particularly when rattling off his pistol. But in spite of its better than usual Republic budget, it remains a film of interest only to 1940s Wayne enthusiasts. 4/10
An entertaining western from 1943. <em>'War of the Wildcats'</em> held my interest from start-to-finish, I really enjoyed seeing the oil-themed premise unfold. There are good performances from John Wayne (Daniel), Martha Scott (Catherine) and Albert Dekker (Jim). The action sequences are nicely done, also. Some elements of the story are, obviously, outdated, especially to do with Scott's Catherine who isn't written incredibly; except for at the beginning, I guess. Although, in those terms, it does feature a mostly pleasant story regarding Native Americans, which is something you don't always see from these old films. By the end, I had an enjoyable 102 minutes watching this. Well paced and well acted.
This is certainly one of the more distinctive efforts from John Wayne, as he portrays "Dan Somers", a cowboy at the turn of the 20th century who decides that he can make some money prospecting for oil. His plan is to work with the local Indians in Oklahoma to develop their lands, but he faces stiff competition from local oilman "Jim Gardner" (Albert Dekker) who has designs on the lands himself - only on much less preferential terms to the owners... Thanks to a little bit of luck, and a friend in high places, "Dan" gets the chance - but can he discover the oil and get it to market in time? It's an engaging performance from the Duke, this - he has a bit more character than in many of his earlier roles - the dialogue a little more personable and his undoubted charisma is given more of a chance to shine through. I always think Wayne and Errol Flynn had one thing in common - both thrived when supported by a stalwart cast whom they worked with regularly. Here, the always enthusiastic contribution of "Gabby" Hayes helps keep the film rollicking along nicely, and though Martha Scott's "Cathy" offers little by way of substance, she still manages to add a little extra to this oily version of David and Goliath - especially as both men are keen on her. I'd certainly put this in his top ten...
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