Dark Command on DVD, Drama, Claire Trevor, John Wayne

When transplanted Texan Bob Seton arrives in Lawrence, Kansas he finds much to like about the place, especially Mary McCloud, daughter of the local banker. Politics is in the air however. It’s just prior to the civil war and there is already a sharp division in the Territory as to whether it will remain slave-free. When he gets the opportunity to run for marshal, Seton finds himself running against the respected local schoolteacher, William Cantrell. Not is what it seems however. While acting as the upstanding citizen in public, Cantrell is dangerously ambitious and is prepared to do anything to make his mark, and his fortune, on the Territory. When he loses the race for marshal, he forms a group of raiders who run guns into the territory and rob and terrorize settlers throughout the territory. Eventually donning Confederate uniforms, it is left to Seton and the good citizens of Lawrence to face Cantrell and his raiders in one final clash.

STARS: Claire Trevor, John Wayne, Walter Pidgeon

94 min | Drama, Romance, War | 1940 | B&W

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Republic hit with cast of perennial hit makers
As a huge John Wayne fan, I'm glad Claire Trevor got top billing in this one. With many sub plots, love triangles, and twists and turns, only Trevor could work it all so magnificently. No one but the great Walter Pidgeon leading Cantrell's Raiders vs. John Wayne could make this the cinematic battle royale that it was. This wreaked havoc in Civil War and pre Civil War Kansas. True actors Porter Hall and Joe Sawyer played the heavies brilliantly as usual. It's hard to imagine that their personal lives was so different of what they usually play on stage but that's what makes them great. With all this talent it's hard to believe Republic got super stars Marjorie Main, Roy Rogers, and Gabby Hayes to fill out a terrific cast. No worries though John Wayne fans can rest assure that his performance is as strong as ever.

Excellent Western
Walter Pidgeon plays an excellent version of William Clarke Quantrill ( here called Cantrell), in fact the best version of this character with the exception of Jeff Chandler in The Jayhawkers!. For those unfamiliar with Quantrill you might know some of the people who rode with him: Frank and Jesse James and Cole Younger. He is up against John Wayne's Bob Seton a Cowboy from Texas who becomes Sheriff. Claire Trevor plays Mary McCloud who marries Cantrell but loves Seton, and Roy Rogers plays her brother Fletch, who starts out bad ( murdering a northerner), but redeems himself by saving Seton from Cantrell from his gang. Very definitely the most different role Rogers played in his career. Spoilers ahead: Does Wayne win out and end up with Trevor? Of course, but how he does and who actually stops Pidgeon, is unexpected and hint: It was not done by Wayne, Rogers or Trevor. Dark Command should be a must for Wayne and ( or) Rogers fans, as well as those who want to see a great performance by someone not identified with the western in Walter Pidgeon. Easy 10/10 stars.