"Well, there are some things a man just can't run away from."

Roger J said..........
I have a favor sir--Please consider including stagecoach on your list of favorite movies--My lady and I watched it last nite--The cavalry charge close to the end was spectacular--my next project is to get my lady to sit thru the cavalry triology.

There are works that are the originals. The real deal that everyone copies off of to make an imitation that pales in comparision to the original. Stagecoach is one of those seminal works that everyone copies from. It is the original, the rest are xerox copies.

This John Ford classic launched several archetypes that have become cliches in Western movies.

The "bad man who does good" in the Ringo Kid who is coming back home to avenge a wrong done to his family. Taking the name Ringo from the real life participant in the famous Gunfight at OK Corral, this capable gunman is obviously a favorite of even the sheriff who doesn't want to arrest him. This plot has be recycled more times than almost any other in the Western genre.

The prostitute with the heart of gold who is shunned by polite society but who stands up when help is needed. From Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke to the lady loving lady of Johnny Guitar this is a staple of almost every Western ever made. And many another film.

The ruined Southern gentlemen played by John Carradine who looks so depressed. Obviously based on Doc Holiday of the Gunfight at OK Corrall fame, this world weary scion of the southern plantations knows sadness and despair. Imagine if he knew his son would strangle himself while whacking off?

The drunken doctor who is the most educated man around but who is a cynical rumpot who none the less stands for what is right. Imagine how drunk he would have been if they had Obamacare back then.

The plot of the prodigal returning for justice has been done time and again. This was the movie that made the Duke a star. He wasn't an actor until he made "Red River" but after "Stagecoach" he was a star.

I hope your lady enjoyed it. You have to watch the trio in order though. First "Fort Apache."

Then "Rio Grande." And finally "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."

She will love it.