It is generally considered that the best of Errol Flynn's westerns was THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON, with DODGE CITY second best. SILVER RIVER has his most interesting western role - he's a greedy empire builder in it. VIRGINIA CITY has a plot that strains the mind (and the only real U.S. patriot in the film is not one of the leads but a man who usually plays villains). SAN ANTONIO is the best looking due to the richness of the colors in the film. It has a fairly good plot, and a pair of worthy (and cross-purposed) villains (Paul Kelly and Victor Francken). Wisely Flynn's leading lady from GENTLEMAN JIM (Alexis Smith) is back - their chemistry is not as good as Flynn's with Olivia De Haviland, but it comes close. I have no problem recommending it...except for one moment that always bothers me.
Warner Brothers was blessed with a great set of available character actors (including Francken, who helped spice up many productions like THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS and THE MASQUE OF DEMETRIOS). One of the best for comic spicing was S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. A lovable Hungarian, he appears in many of the best Warners films of the period, such as YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, Christmas IN CONNECTICUT, TEA FOR TWO. He was a great scene stealer, and had a rivalry with Alan Hale Sr. regarding Hale's equal ability to steal scenes. He was many things - he was not meant to be a corpse. In this film he witnesses a serious crime by Francken, but the latter realizes it. Since he is a careful man he is not going to be foolish enough to blab about the killing, but Francken is no fool either, and basically warns Sakall that if he even thinks of talking he (Francken) will kill Sakall. It is necessary for the film plot, but it is very unsettling to think that anyone could think of putting a bullet into "Cuddles".
Warner Brothers was blessed with a great set of available character actors (including Francken, who helped spice up many productions like THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS and THE MASQUE OF DEMETRIOS). One of the best for comic spicing was S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. A lovable Hungarian, he appears in many of the best Warners films of the period, such as YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, Christmas IN CONNECTICUT, TEA FOR TWO. He was a great scene stealer, and had a rivalry with Alan Hale Sr. regarding Hale's equal ability to steal scenes. He was many things - he was not meant to be a corpse. In this film he witnesses a serious crime by Francken, but the latter realizes it. Since he is a careful man he is not going to be foolish enough to blab about the killing, but Francken is no fool either, and basically warns Sakall that if he even thinks of talking he (Francken) will kill Sakall. It is necessary for the film plot, but it is very unsettling to think that anyone could think of putting a bullet into "Cuddles".