Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Proud Rebel (1958)

The Proud Rebel, from 1958, is a heart-tugging (to me) Western starring Alan Ladd and Olivia deHavilland.  Directed by Michael Curtiz, this Technicolor film features Dean Jagger and Cecil Kellaway in supporting roles and introduces Mr. Ladd’s youngest child, David. 


When the Union Army blazed a path of destruction through Georgia, young David Chandler (David Ladd), witnessed the death of his mother during the burning of Atlanta.  He was then shipped off to an orphanage in the North, where he remained until his soldier father, Johnny (Alan Ladd), found him after the end of the war.  The trauma of seeing his mother killed and the city burned, so shocked the young boy that he was left unable to speak.  As the film begins, Johnny is intent upon finding a doctor who can treat his son, and the two of them, along with David’s beloved dog, Lance, make their way to Aberdeen, Illinois, where they meet with a local doctor (Cecil Kellaway).  Although Dr. Davis can’t help, he is acquainted with a physician who works with Dr. Mayo in Rochester, Minnesota, and he suggests he might be of help.



While the Chandlers are in the general store buying supplies for their trek to Minnesota, dog Lance is tied outside, where local bullies, the Burley brothers, attempt to steal him.  After Johnny is mocked for his Southernness and the boy for his inability to speak, a brawl ensues.  Frightened, David runs away and straight into the path of a wagon driven by local farmer, Linnett Moore (Olivia deHavilland).

Charged with assault and battery because of the brawl, Johnny is taken to court, where a Confederate-hating judge finds him guilty and sentences him to 30 days or $30.  Linnett pays Johnny's fine, saying he can work it off.  Though working for Linnette will delay him getting to Minnesota, Johnny intends to pay his debts and raise the necessary funds for the trip.    

The Burley patriarch, Harry (Dean Jagger), is determined to force Linnett to sell her farm, even approaching Johnny about working for him.  On top of that, a local man is interested in purchasing Lance and he makes an offer to Johnny for him.  With his desperate need for funds for the trip to Minnesota, Johnny finds himself considering the sale of David's beloved dog. Will he go through with the sale?  Will he assist Harry Burley in convincing Linnett to sell her farm?  And what about David?  Will he have the operation?  Will it be successful and enable him to speak again?  These are the questions which play out in the balance of the film.



While not a spectacular film, The Proud Rebel is an interesting, exciting, enjoyable viewing experience, with believable performances by all.  The characters created by Alan Ladd, Olivia deHavilland, and David Ladd are ones I really cared about and rooted for.  I found myself teary-eyed on more than one occasion. While I'm calling this a 3-star film, it's more like 3.5.

This film ought to be fairly easy to track down, as it is out on DVD and also available in its entirety on YouTube.  Fans of Alan Ladd and Olivia deHavilland ought to quite enjoy it.

Happy viewing!!