Jules Furthman

Rio Bravo is a western that's rich in characterization and great dialogue; it also doesn't lack its share of awesome shootouts. John Wayne and Dean Martin give Oscar-worthy performances. Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, and Walter Brennan aren't too bad themselves. A fine film worth watching over and over again.

This classic is one of my favorites. If you buy the DVD you will get the original version which is very different from the final release. The final cut is much better but the first version explains a lot of stuff that is left in HUH??? mode in the release version. The movie has everything, the rich socialites, the sordid affairs, the sultry dames and Bogart as the cynical but honorable detective. You must see this.

Although the title 'Nightmare Alley' is really not the best, this movie is a very striking and unusual noir, as it takes place mostly in the seedy carnival world of the 1940s. Tyrone Power is excellent, and proves here that he wasn't just a pretty face; his role as the carny turned mentalist con artist is excellent, and worth the somewhat cliched ending. Strong supporting actors abound as well. The atmosphere is somewhat reminiscent of "Freaks" or any other of Todd Browning's films of the 30s. Rewatchable, even after you know the twist ending.

This is one of those movies i have to watch when I come across it on cable. Wayne and Martin have great chemistry, and Brennan adds just the right amount of humor. Wayne is basically playing Wayne by this time, but he's so #!@%*# good at it, you just have to go along.