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
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!!
Happy viewing!!