Whispering Smith

Rating:
Summary: Alan Ladd's WHISPERING SMITH at last!
Review: Although I write this "review" weeks in advance of the release on DVD of "Whispering Smith," there is, I think, the need to acknowledge this significant release before the event. Certainly after his magnificent "Shane" Alan Ladd's "Whispering Smith" deserves greater familiarity and exposure. It's a superb western, with some excellent acting, good production values, and well worth viewing. I am unaware that it ever showed up on VHS; but now that Universal intends to release it on DVD, moviegoers and western fans can enjoy it in their homes. Thanks, again, to Universal for this release.

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Summary: The Best Alan Ladd Western After Shane
Review: By far his next great Western after Shane, Alan Ladd starred in this exciting film about Whispering Smith, a hard-bitten railroad detective know for his grit and tenacity. When his longtime friend Murray is justifiably fired for stealing merchandise from train wrecks, Smith doesn't hesistate to go after his friend when Murray becomes involved with the gang responsbile for the train wrecks. Top-notch performances by Ladd and Robert Preston, who played Murray, plus an excellent script and stellar direction from Leslie Fenton, make this film a classic.

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST RAILROAD WESTERNS
Review: Not just a western, but this is one of the better RAILROAD westerns--there's a lot of us train nuts out here. This film shows a vanished way of life on the American railroad that held true for over 100 years. The power of the railroad, the comradory, wreck trains, roundhouses, etc.

Not only that, but for a 1948 release it's also in COLOR--jeesh not even 1976's SILVER STREAK is out on DVD!!!

You get to see all those 4-4-0 Americans seen in Cecil B.'s UNION PACIFIC--only in COLOR and, get this, Robert Preston is the heavy in this film just as he was in UP!!! Ooh he's a mean one here too.

A good price, hopefully an equally good scan (the scan on Jimmy Stewart's NIGHT PASSAGE was a bit dark; in any even you CAN'T go wrong here!!!

Now if they'll only release DENVER & RIO GRANDE over at Paramount!!!

Rating:
Summary: Good railroad western has a top cast
Review: One of Alan Ladd's first starring films is this good detective western as the title character who is a railroad investigator assigned to solve the mystery of a rash of train robberies. Luke "Whispering" Smith meets up with old friend Murray Sinclaire [Robert Preston], a railroad employee whose fine ranch and well-to-do lifestyle are not in accord with his workman's salary. Railroad executive George McCloud [John Eldredge] suspects Sinclaire of wrong-doing but can't prove anything until Sinclaire is caught red-handed looting a wrecked train, and is terminated from the railroad on the spot. Sinclaire is now free to rob and plunder trains as part of a gang led by mastermind Barney Rebstock [Donald Crisp]. With Smith closing in on Sinclaire, the two erstwhile friends square off in a showdown at Sinclaire's ranch in the last reel. There is a romantic triangle of sorts involving Smith, Sinclaire and his wife, Marian. Brenda Marshall has a touching, feminine role as Sinclaire's unhappy wife who was Smith's sweetheart at one time and still carries a torch for him. Ray Rennehan's camera and Adolph Deutsch's music top off a first-rate production.

Rating:
Summary: "Alan Ladd leads the cast of pistol-packing action - Smith"
Review: Paramount Pictures presents a film based on the novel by Frank H. Spearman, Screenplay by Frank Butler and Karl Kamb, under the direction of director Leslie Fenton in glorious technicolor ~ "Whispering Smith" (1949/89 mins), featuring an all-star cast starting with ~ Alan Ladd (star of "Shane", one of the best westerns ever) as Luke "Whispering" Smith, Robert Preston (star of "Music Man", Broadway and Hollywood Musical as Professor Harold Hill) as Murray Sinclair, Brenda Marshall as Marian Sinclair, Donald Crisp (co-star in "How Green Was My Valley" as Mr. Gwilym Morgan) as Barney Rebstock the hated rancher who wanted to own the whole territory, William Demarest (from "My Three Sons" television series) as Bill Dansing, Faye Holden (Andy Hardy's Mother, Mrs Emily Hardy) as Emmy Dansing, Frank Faylen (cabdriver in "It's A Wonderful Life, one of Jimmy Stewart's good buddies) as Whitey DuSang the blood-thirsty killer with cold and mean snake eyes, Eddy Waller (Allan "Rocky" Lane's sidekick, Nugget) as the railroad conductor ~ all intermingle with a story that twists and turns, keeping the audience spellbound with action and riveting drama.

Opening scene is in a baggage car traveling on a rainy night, Robert Preston (Sinclair) and a group of railroad employees are talking about events of the past involving railroad detective Schmitty (Whispering Smith) ~ when Smith gets on the trail of desperadoes there is not doubt their trails will meet up, and when they do watch out, soft talking Smith is right behind you telling you it's all over and reach for the sky ~ the plot thickens as Ladd and Preston were friends way back when, both loved the same girl Brenda Marshall, but Preston won out ~ now married Preston is looking for easy money and falls in with the wrong crowd ~ stealing from wrecked trains Preston is found out and fired, seeking vengeance he starts robbing and derailing trains, this brings Whispering Smith back into the picture ~ will Smith and Sinclair have a showdown...can Smith turn Sinclair around to see the error of his ways...or will guns blaze leaving one of them standing alone and empty. Well, I'm not going to give anything away...you'll just have to purchase this and ride the dusty trails or trains to see how this heart-pounding adventure ends...gotta love it!

Total Time: 89 mins ~ Universal Studios Home Video 25082 ~ (6/01/2004)