Search - Man in the Saddle on DVD

It's a Randolph Scott film........

Mr. David Mcallister | 10/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...what more do you need? Scott does what he does best in this above average western made with high production values and a touch of angst. Good classic supporting cast and good locations as well as excellent direction make this oater stand alone and stand out in Scott's film's from the 50's.Good,clear DVD issue make this a must."

Better Randy Scott Western

B. Cathey | Wendell, NC United States | 08/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"MAN IN THE SADDLE (1951) is a very fine little Western, directed by the underrated director Andre De Toth, with a fine screenplay written by Kenneth Gamet. Despite the formulaic story line, the film never drags or dawdles. Randy Scott illustrates, once again, all the fine acting characteristics that made him one of the top ranking "Western" actors of all time. Alexander Knox, an interesting choice for the villain, adds much to the story. Other members of the cast, including Alfonso Bedoya and John Russell, round out this solid oater, well worth investigating. Finally, the title song is sung by none other than "Tennessee Ernie Ford," and remains in the memory long after the movie's images are gone...."

Man in the Saddle 1951

John W . Ford | Los Angeles , California . U.S.A | 04/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In MAN IN THE SADDLE we see Randolph Scott (1898-1987) in a archetypal role as Owen Merritt , a man of few words , inerring aim and unbreakable principes , who swallow his pride when the woman he loves marries for wealth . But when her wildly jealous husband vows to ruin Merritts Ranch , Merritt strikes back . A Satisfying combination of action , Romance and breathtaking high-desert scenery , MAN IN THE SADDLE also featured Tennesse Ernie Ford (1919-1991) in a rare movie appearance . Great plot and wonderful outdore scenery and Randolph Scott..what more do you need ! . High Qualty digital transfer . Recommended"

Randolph Scott takes on Skull Ranch and its owner, the jealo

C. O. DeRiemer | San Antonio, Texas, USA | 04/28/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There's a small lake that straddles the boundary separating Will Isham's Skull Ranch and Pay Lankershim's land. Isham (Alexander Knox), a powerful, determined and jealous megalomaniac, offers $50,000 cash if Pay sells his ranch to him this night, Isham's wedding night. It's worth maybe $9,000. There's enough water for both our herds, Pay says. "You don't get the idea," Isham says with a tumbler of brandy in his hand. "I'd only own half a lake. I don't own half of anything, Lankershim. I own it all, lock, stock and barrel. That goes for anything. Whatever I have is mine and mine alone. I'll share with no one."

Now Skull's boundary is up against Owen Merritt's land...and it will only be a matter of time before Isham goes after Owen (Randolph Scott). He's even brought in a hired gun to speed things along. And the woman Isham just married? Turns out Laurie Bidwell (Joan Leslie) is the woman Owen loves. She made her choice, however, because she wanted position and money, and that meant Isham, not Owen. After Owen nearly gets killed in a stampede engineered by Isham's men, Laurie is beginning to have doubts about her choice. She'd better remember what Isham told Pay: "Whatever I have is mine alone. I'll share with no one."

When Owen's men start getting killed, he decides to do some killing of his own. It's not long before it's just Owen Merritt against the power of Skull, and that means Will Isham and his hired guns. Thank goodness Owen has a few loyal ranch hands and one friend, spunky, feisty Nan Melotte, the blonde young owner of a small ranch next to Owen's. We know things are going to get much rougher in the next hour.

Man in the Saddle may be a B western, but it's a Randolph Scott B western. With me, that usually means a strong story even with clichés, most often a good villain or two, enough action to quickly pass the time and, of course, Scott. He was a big guy who could come across as grim, judgmental and dead serious. He also had perfected the persona of an honorable man of action. He had the screen presence to carry even B westerns. He had no trouble dominating his films, even when playing against an alpha male like Lee Marvin. I've always found a good deal of pleasure watching a Randolph Scott western.

Joan Leslie has a much more complicated character to play than most B movie westerns call for. Her Laurie Isham comes from a hardscrabble past. She loves, in her way, Owen. She marries Isham because she yearns for position and security. She winds up trying to be loyal to both. Leslie manages to carry it off so well we sort of admire Laurie and how she's trying to handle the fix she's put herself in. To see Joan Leslie at her freshest and friendliest, find a copy of The Sky's the Limit. At barely 18 she stars opposite Fred Astaire and shares a fast, funny song and dance routine with him, "A Lot in Common with You." Leslie just about keeps up with Astaire and he makes it seem easy for her. When she can manage just two air-borne turns (which she does with grace and precision), he hits three but places himself just a little in front of her to disguise the difference.

For those fond of pound-'em-into-the-ground fistfights, Man in the Saddle features a lulu. Scott and John Russell, an equally big guy who plays a man with a vicious temper who has a hankerin' for Nan, start walloping each other in a mountain shack, then slip-slide down a rocky, snow covered mountainside going after each other with fists, rocks and tree limbs. The stunt doubles earned their money with this one.

Man in the Saddle is no classic, but it turns out to be one of the better westerns Scott made during this period. The DVD transfer looks fine. There are no extras."