Albuquerque

Rating:
Summary: Great little Randy Scott western
Review: I collect westerns. And when I saw a Randolph Scott available, I bought it, despite never having seen it before. Was very pleasantly surprised, which hasn't always been the case with these kinds of purchases. Great little story, good cast, characters well drawn, plenty of action and Gabby Hayes as well. Transfer is good with only two minor blips that didn't detract from the watching. Good enough to tell when they were using a painted background(not often), rather than the real thing. Color was great. And learned what an early teamster had to do.

Rating:
Summary: Long awaited release....finally!
Review: Okay, this little review comes in advance of the release of the DVD of Albuquerque, and that may seem a bit odd. Despite that, this is of such importance that a short note is actually due prior to the release. Randy Scott's Albuquerque is the most elusive of his Westerns. At "Western festivals" and among dealers this is the one Scott movie that no one seems to have ever seen or have access to. Some writers have gone so far as to suggest that the movie, originally released I think by Paramount, had been lost. Now that Universal is bringing it out, we can only give thanks that it does indeed exist and will be available (hopefully in the same quality production that characterizes other Universal releases). All reviews of the film indicate that it was an above-average Scott vehicle, with good production values. The cast includes George "Gabby" Hayes and Barbara Britton. So, thanks to Universal for this release, and for some of the other very fine oaters listed for release at about the same time [e.g. When the Daltons Rode, Whispering Smith, No Name on the Bullet, etc.]

Rating:
Summary: Long awaited release....finally!
Review: Okay, this little review comes in advance of the release of the DVD of Albuquerque, and that may seem a bit odd. Despite that, this is of such importance that a short note is actually due prior to the release. Randy Scott's Albuquerque is the most elusive of his Westerns. At "Western festivals" and among dealers this is the one Scott movie that no one seems to have ever seen or have access to. Some writers have gone so far as to suggest that the movie, originally released I think by Paramount, had been lost. Now that Universal is bringing it out, we can only give thanks that it does indeed exist and will be available (hopefully in the same quality production that characterizes other Universal releases). All reviews of the film indicate that it was an above-average Scott vehicle, with good production values. The cast includes George "Gabby" Hayes and Barbara Britton. So, thanks to Universal for this release, and for some of the other very fine oaters listed for release at about the same time [e.g. When the Daltons Rode, Whispering Smith, No Name on the Bullet, etc.]

Rating:
Summary: "another great Paramount Western ~ Randolph Scott"
Review: Paramount Pictures release of "Albuquerque" (1948/91 mins), featuring a who's who in great western action, drama and thrill-packed adventure ~ Cole Armin (Randolph Scott) heads the cast with John Armin (George Cleveland), Letty Tyler (Barbara Britton), Celia Wallace (Catherine Craig), Juke (George "Gabby" Hayes), Ted Wallace (Russell Hayden), Steve Murkill (Lon Chaney Jr) ~ under director Ray Enright, screenplay by Gene Lewis and Clarence Upson Young, from the novel "Dead Freight for Piute" by Luke Short, a wonderful western story just waiting to be made into a major film.

With the good guys Scott, Hayes and Hayden ready to set-up a small wagon-freight-hauling business to compete with Cleveland, Chaney and Britton, things are starting to get a little rough with family members Scott and Cleveland (his tyrant Uncle) ~ the freight business isn't big enough for the two of them ~ Scott & Hayden decide to work together as partners to get the big contract with the miners ~ but lookout for Chaney, he wants a piece of Scott and put him permanently in "boot hill" ~ the action quickens with some great hard riding ~ someone has tampered with Scott's brakes on his wagon, all going down a steep trail right behind Gabby's wagon...will everything work out...are the wagons going to make it...can Gabby get out of the way of Scott's wagon...does Scott have what it takes to survive without losing his life are the life of others ~ this is a greedy bunch bent on revenge against our favorite western hero ~ Randolph Scott.

This is not a B-Western, but a major film with a story that will keep you glued to your seat ~ the characters are very real with a fine performance by Barbara Britton, you don't know till the very end which side she's on ~ wonderful portrayal by George "Gabby" Hayes, who has worked with the best John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gary Cooper and William Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy)...Gabby is one of the biggest scene stealers in the business, voted the favorite sidekick of all-time in western films during the '30s, '40s and '50s...gotta love it!

Total Time: 91 mins ~ Universal Studios Home Video 24928 ~ (6/01/2004)

Rating:
Summary: You're Durn Tootin' It's Awesome!!!
Review: To catch a previously unreleased western in this day and age of readily accessible satellite TV is a treat. When that new release happens to be a relatively obscure Randolph Scott western from 1948, presented in the wonderful format of DVD, in CineColor no less, the occasion is nothing short of crackerjack! From an opening stagecoach chase where the fate of a child hangs in the balance, to a grand finale at break neck speed down a hazardous mountain trail, this tale of good and evil in the Old West is one of Scott's best. The wonderful cast includes George "Gabby" Hayes as Randolph's colorful side-kick and Lon Chaney, Jr., as a bad guy so dense he must have been bronc-tossed a few times on his head. Add to that the most colorful cowboy costumes you'll ever see in a serious western and a storyline where right is thicker than blood and you are in for a 5-spur (*****)evening!

Rating:
Summary: You're Durn Tootin' It's Awesome!!!
Review: To catch a previously unreleased western in this day and age of readily accessible satellite TV is a treat. When that new release happens to be a relatively obscure Randolph Scott western from 1948, presented in the wonderful format of DVD, in CineColor no less, the occasion is nothing short of crackerjack! From an opening stagecoach chase where the fate of a child hangs in the balance, to a grand finale at break neck speed down a hazardous mountain trail, this tale of good and evil in the Old West is one of Scott's best. The wonderful cast includes George "Gabby" Hayes as Randolph's colorful side-kick and Lon Chaney, Jr., as a bad guy so dense he must have been bronc-tossed a few times on his head. Add to that the most colorful cowboy costumes you'll ever see in a serious western and a storyline where right is thicker than blood and you are in for a 5-spur (*****)evening!