Really been an admirer of John Ford, have been for a decade or so now, whether the film in question is Western or not a Western (Ford was versatile and encompassed a lot of genres). The story did sound like it had the makings of an interesting film if done correctly. There is some great talent in the cast, Will Rogers was always watchable and Anne Shirley and Berton Churchill (who Western admirers will recognise from 'Stagecoach'). Have always been a non-fan of Stepin Fetchit and have yet to see anything of his to convert me.
'Steamboat Round the Bend' is very well done on the whole and has a lot of great things. Of the three Ford and Rogers films, the other two being 1933's 'Doctor Bull' and 1934's 'Judge Priest', this is the best. It's not one of Ford's very best but is one of his better and most interesting earlier films. 'Steamboat Round the Bend' is also quite moving with it being Rogers' last film before his tragic premature death after filming and before release.
Am going to start with the great things. is a well made film, with handsome scenery and the photography (as always for a Ford film) is beautifully crafted and with the right amount of atmosphere. The music also fits nicely, not going for the sweeping, syrupy approach but instead a lighter touch that gels with the film's tone well. Ford directs with ease, steel and delicacy. The script is gently light-hearted at times and tender without being cloying or too sweet, the intensity of some parts keeps that from happening without being tonally jarring.
The story lacks the edge that Ford would have in his later pictures but can be quite moving and has a sweet, elegiac quality at times. There is some grit that stops it from being over-sentimental, not easy to do for the subject 'Steamboat Round the Bend'. The action is great fun and thrills. Rogers is warm-hearted and likeable even if his character takes some getting used to. Shirley is fetching and affecting and Churchill is superb as the most interesting character after Rogers' Pearly.
Having said that, as said Pearly is not easy to warm to to start with and maybe the pace could have been a little tighter to begin with.
Fetchit was the one big fly in the ointment though, he is used at minimum thankfully and is not as stereotypical as in his other films (with the approach to his character being more tasteful than it was in 'Judge Priest') but to me he was still out of place and annoying.
Overall though, very good. 8/10
'Steamboat Round the Bend' is very well done on the whole and has a lot of great things. Of the three Ford and Rogers films, the other two being 1933's 'Doctor Bull' and 1934's 'Judge Priest', this is the best. It's not one of Ford's very best but is one of his better and most interesting earlier films. 'Steamboat Round the Bend' is also quite moving with it being Rogers' last film before his tragic premature death after filming and before release.
Am going to start with the great things. is a well made film, with handsome scenery and the photography (as always for a Ford film) is beautifully crafted and with the right amount of atmosphere. The music also fits nicely, not going for the sweeping, syrupy approach but instead a lighter touch that gels with the film's tone well. Ford directs with ease, steel and delicacy. The script is gently light-hearted at times and tender without being cloying or too sweet, the intensity of some parts keeps that from happening without being tonally jarring.
The story lacks the edge that Ford would have in his later pictures but can be quite moving and has a sweet, elegiac quality at times. There is some grit that stops it from being over-sentimental, not easy to do for the subject 'Steamboat Round the Bend'. The action is great fun and thrills. Rogers is warm-hearted and likeable even if his character takes some getting used to. Shirley is fetching and affecting and Churchill is superb as the most interesting character after Rogers' Pearly.
Having said that, as said Pearly is not easy to warm to to start with and maybe the pace could have been a little tighter to begin with.
Fetchit was the one big fly in the ointment though, he is used at minimum thankfully and is not as stereotypical as in his other films (with the approach to his character being more tasteful than it was in 'Judge Priest') but to me he was still out of place and annoying.
Overall though, very good. 8/10