Rawhide (3 stars)

Rawhide, from 1951, is a Western drama starring Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward. Directed by Henry Hathaway, the film features Hugh Marlowe, Edgar Buchanan, Dean Jagger, Jack Elam, and George Tobias in supporting roles.  Since Ty Power was one of the guys of the month last month, I had been looking through his filmography for "new to me" films I wanted to see; when I discovered that he did two films with my #2 gal (this one and Untamed), I went on a mission to obtain at least one of them.  I finally tracked Rawhide down...and in time to be included as part of Susan Hayward month.

On its way from San Francisco to St. Louis, a stagecoach makes a stop at Rawhide Station, a remote post attended by Sam Todd (Edgar Buchanan) and Tom Owens (Tyrone Power). Disembarking the stage for a meal at the station are, among others, Vinnie Holt (Susan Hayward), and the small child she carries with her.  Before the passengers can depart the station, a soldier informs the stage driver that condemned prisoner Rafe Zimmerman (Hugh Marlowe) has escaped. In the interest of safety, Vinnie and little Callie are left behind at Rawhide, while the remainder of the passengers continue on their journey.

Posing as a lawman, the escaped prisoner soon makes his appearance at Rawhide Station, and in short order, his three gang members arrive as well.  After shooting Sam, the four men take over the station---their target is the next Eastbound stage and all the gold it is carrying.  Before that stage arrives, though, the Westbound stage will be passing through, and Tom is to act as though all things are normal, not giving any clue that Zimmerman and his men are lying in wait.  Though Tom would like to alert the stage driver to what is going on, he is kept in line through threats to harm Vinnie and Callie, whom the outlaw gang has mistakenly taken to be Tom's wife and daughter.

Locked in a room with Vinnie most of the time, will Tom be able to warn the stage driver of the impending danger?  And once the robbery is accomplished, is there any hope for Tom, Vinnie, and Callie to escape?  These are the questions which play out in this film.




While Rawhide is not a spectacular film, it is definitely entertaining and exciting.  I found the storyline interesting and the acting quite good.  Susan Hayward was her usual exceptional self.  She was appropriately strong and hard---traits she always exhibited perfectly.  Ty Power---in what I think was an unusual role for him---was quite believable here.  Hugh Marlowe---who I've only seen as a "good guy"---did great in his role as well.  Jack Elam was quite terrific too.  If I was more into Westerns, I probably would be rating this one 4 stars.  So, 3 stars, from a non-Western fan means this is a very solid film.

Rawhide is out on DVD; however, I tracked it down through a site called "Westerns on the Web" (HERE).  If you like Westerns, definitely stop by that site.  They have dozens of movies, all available for free viewing on their site.  Additionally, the film is available in its entirety on YouTube.

Happy viewing!!