I pre ordered and received the blu-ray today.....finally my own copy of this American classic!The restoration and transfer are magnificent..................most of the movie looks like it was shot yesterday....this film is known for its color palatte and the rendering of color and image far surpasses any tv version I have ever seen. Watching this blu-ray is like watching Johnny Guitar for the first time. The soundtrack is crystal clear....all in all Olive Films did a great job.
In addition to the excellent introduction by Martin Scorsese, I would have liked a commentary track or in depth documentary..............the stories about the making of this movie are the stuff of epic myth..believe me, the negative chemistry off screen between Joan and Mercedes comes through on screen in spades. Mecedes gives a performance for the ages in this film.
If you love this movie like I do, this is a must have...............highest possible recommendation.
This film is a hair's breath from being high-camp. Joan Crawford plays Vienna in her usual style, exchanging insults and threats with McCambridge in the film's most memorable scenes. A choice line of McCambridge is "She's nuthin' but a railroad tramp". Watching their scenes made me think of Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid in MOMMIE DEAREST, they seem to create the same energy on screen, perhaps they watched JOHNNY GUITAR in preparing for their performances?...
JOHNNY GUITAR is more than a western, and a must-see for fans of Crawford.
Read Best Reviews of Johnny Guitar (1954) Here
Joan really is the actress of the 20th Century, and beyond... In the 1950's during a boring time in her career (this movie is smack-dab in the middle of Torch Song and the even more obscure, "Female On The Beach") she decided to re-invent herself as a western rebel in "Johnny Guitar." However I hate to admit it, but "Johnny Guitar" is one of those incredibly rare Joan Crawford movies that I would have thoroughly munched on even if she weren't in it!Oh, before I forget, here's the particulars of this cult-classic:
Johnny Guitar (May 27, 1954) (Studio: Republic)
Distributor: Paramount (Although correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly believe that Turner/Warner Home Video has their hand in just about all of Joan's films, even those that aren't from the MGM or Warners libraries.)
Director: Nicholas Ray
Runtime Listing: 110 mins
Color/BW: Color (Trucolor)
(Joan played: Vienna)
Brief Synopsis:
A lady saloon owner battles a female rancher out to frame her for murder.
And here's the main cast (actually, these are my favorites, from the main cast!:)
Joan Crawford ~ The Star of the Show ~ Vienna
Mercedes McCambridge ~ Emma Small
Sterling Hayden ~ Johnny 'Guitar' Logan
Scott Brady ~ Dancin' Kid
Ben Cooper ~ Turkey Ralston
Ernest Borgnine ~ Bart Lonergan
Royal Dano ~ Corey
Frank Ferguson ~ Marshal Williams
"Johnny Guitar" is actually based on a novel by Roy Chanslor and is undisputedly the granddaddy of the Female Western Film, because it proudly serves as the original prototype of this genre. It's also a little known-fact that there really was a real Johnny "Guitar!" Johnny "Guitar" Watson was a well-known musician, who adopted his moniker after he saw Sterling Hayden play the title-role. Although, that's really where the similarities end.
...Vienna, a saloon owner of the Old Wild-West is just as tough and heavy-fisted as the men that frequent her establishment. Vienna's nemesis is the (almost) equally-equipped Emma Small. Emma wants to run Vienna out of town because she believes that she is a wanton woman that was behind her brother's death.
Ms. McCambridge was such an understated actress; I'm not sure why. Needless to say, I really enjoyed her in this movie. And, I loved those stare-downs that Emma gave Vienna. Emma looked at her like she was some finger-lickin' good tender-vittles! Perhaps, the real reason why Emma loathed Vienna so much was because Vienna wasn't interested. Vienna was hungry for meat, not flesh! But really, wasn't Emma totally digging Vienna like she was a bowl of fancy-fiest...? I honestly think that Joan, oops, I mean Vienna (wink wink) was not into chicks. She didn't swing that way (now the boys in this picture, that's a different story.) Maybe she patted a few bottoms and was a little touchy-feely, but that was about it.
This movie has many important messages, subtexts, subplots and perhaps even some hidden meanings. IMHO if you're watching "Johnny Guitar" and miss some of this, then you're really missing a big part of the element of this film. ...The battle of good over evil... The battle to be the alpha male... ...Trying just to fit in and be accepted... ...The socioeconomic division between Emma and Veinna's "gangs"... But, the main message that I learned, is that a gun and a woman with (severe) sexual-frustration is a very dangerous mix!
Perhaps the biggest difference between Emma and Vienna was that Emma was a nut, and Vienna was not. ...Instead, there really was something about Vienna that was so primal and perhaps even bent because I picked up that she was distraught, lonely and even desperate, at times. You could almost see her lip quivering as she barked out orders to her boys. She was also terrified of losing control. Perhaps, Vienna mimicked Joan. Frankly, I have always believed that at least a couple of Joan's hubbies had some sugar in their respected tanks which only made her more starved for a little bit of attention and affection. I'm sure she spent many nights alone, hating herself. Joan was the type of woman that loved being around other people and was petrified of being alone. She wasn't a picky lady; she just wanted to hear a heartbeat. What's wrong with that? Only a very cold person who is incapable of any type of real human emotion could not relate to her; Vienna and Joan, respectively.
Over the past sixty years, it's been intimated that there was a personal rivalry between Miss Crawford and Bette Davis. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I am certain of one thing; the personal hatred between Joan and Ms. McCambridge was very real (not to mention surreal!) And, that's what made their characters so absorbing and amusing. Anyone looking at them shoot each other down could tell that they each had pure spite in their eyes. Both ladies were desperately jealous of each other (both on the silver screen and off!) Remember, back in '54, Mercedes was still considered a young ing'enue who was hot after her Oscar win; I bet Joan wanted to wrap that nude golden-statue around her flabby little neck!
I also enjoyed Sterling Hayden and the legendary Mr. Ernest Borgnine. Both men were amazing actors (actually, Mr. Borgnine still is!) who are total geniuses when it comes to the theatrical arts. But another actor in this movie that I adored (at least more than any of the other guys,) is little Ben Cooper. Wasn't Turkey so adorable? He looked almost like the love-child of Jason Priestly and Jimmy Dean! I love how he'd try to play tough so the other big-boys would play with him; prompting Vienna to hiss, "that's pretty good Turkey, for a boy" in a condescending and hateful tone. ...What wound up happening to him was tragic because Emma only used Turkey for her own selfish need for self-gratification. But wasn't it funny watching Emma goad Turkey into "outing" Vienna. Did you notice that huge smile on Emma's face (as her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree) while she was trying to get Turkey to fess up? This woman was loving every second of it! And, frankly, so was I! (BTW, I included some pics of Ben Cooper from this movie on this page since I had a lot of difficulty find others, elsewhere.)
...Joan was a very kind woman who always looked out for her family, friends and fans. But, she could also be very competitive, especially where another woman was concerned. ...While filming the pickup scenes, Joan felt that Mercedes was getting away with murder. So what does she do? Joan runs into Mercedes' dressing room and cuts up her costumes in a blinding, seething rage! Hell hath no fury like Miss Crawford PO'd! Of course, no one had the balls to tell Miss Crawford to calm down! Although, Miss Crawford never publicly "dissed" Ms. McCambridge (or any of her colleagues, because that was totally unprofessional and a big no-no as far as she was concerned,) her counterpart was always more than happy to badmouth Joan to anyone who would listen, stating that she was, "a mean, tipsy, powerful, rotten-egg lady." Powerful is right!
Can we talk a little about the colors and the apparel chosen for this film? I really believe the colors were very symbolic. Did you notice Emma was dressed in green when she first confronted Vienna who had that monochromatic blouse on! And, I loved those cute bows (or are they ascots?) that Joan wore because it reminded everyone that even though she was the leader of the pack, after all is said and done, she was still, just a girl! I especially love the scene when Vienna was playing the piano, wearing that floor-length white gown. And did you see how she was playing the piano, she was so in to it! It was just so outrageous and in-your-face! It was like she was having this intense o-r-g-a-s-i-m (it's too bad Emma wasn't around, I'm sure she would have loved to have been a part of it.) Total narcissistic entertainment! The costumes for the boys didn't change much. I don't know about you, but as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing sexier than watching a manly man strut around in a cowboy hat and skin-tight pants! And I loved that black funeral ensemble that Emma wore with the veil. So over-the-top and dramatic!! Wasn't it so funny watching her run around dressed like this with her gun in hand, ordering her boys to go after Vienna!
Another aspect (and perhaps a cause?) of the rivalry between Emma and Vienna (not to mention Joan and Ms. McCambridge!) was that both ladies were vying to be the almighty Queen Bee. And, although one can attempt to try, in the end it's futile because you just can't fit two Queen Bees inside a hive packed with men! And no matter how careful you are, no matter what happens, if you screw with the Queen Bee you'll always wind up getting stung! I absolutely adore the part in the beginning of the film where Vienna is standing on the stairs, in her saloon, and Emma says to her "I'm going to kill you" and Vienna says without flinching, "if I don't kill you first..." Wasn't Emma's voice so terrifying? She's was more scarier than Bea Arthur, Leona Helmsley and Ms. Barbra Streisand all put together! (BTW it's no coincidence that Ms. McCambridge was the voice of The Exorcist , although, the poor thing had to turn around and sue just to get billed for this!) ...If I was a gambler, I'd put my money on Joan to win this barroom brawl! Because Joan's the Best of the West...!
Why isn't "Johnny Guitar" on DVD, yet? I don't understand; what are they waiting for? Fortunately, it's at least on home-video. And, it does come on television often; usually on TCM or Encore Western. But wouldn't it be great if the powers that be were to release a special edition boxed set? They could even interview some of the remaining cast. I know that Ben Cooper is still very much alive. Although, sadly Ms. McCambridge passed away 4 years ago (at the age of 87.) Keep in mind, there is also a non-region specific DVD from South Korea. The South Korean DVD includes both English and Korean subtitles, however it's very easy to turn them off, and this DVD will certainly play fine on a regular region 1 player. It's distributed by company called "YDM DVD Video." I'm very happy with this DVD because it's the next best thing to having a special edition/boxed set.
Some of my favorite lines from this picture:
Vienna (to Johnny, after the bank holdup): You don't know her, I do.
Emma (to Vienna:) You're just a railroad tramp.
Vienna (to Turkey after he asks her what he should do when Emma & co. catch him:) Save yourself.
Emma (to Vienna:) Look at you staring down at us with that gun.
Emma (said to the Marshall and his men when no one will come forward to hang Vienna:) I will pay $100 to any man.
Vienna (to Emma's crew:) I've never done anything to hurt any of you, don't make me do anything now.
Turkey (said to Vienna in a very meek voice after he was badly injured:) Help me.
Vienna (said to Emma when none of the other boys will come forward and hang Vienna:) You're going to have to do it yourself Emma.
The Marshal (said to Emma after she asks him why they aren't racing to Vienna's to take her prisoner:) You have 5 years of hate, you can give my boys 5 hours.
I really love how the movie ended. It was just so dramatic, especially when the theme-song played and so beautiful, too. I think my favorite part was watching Vienna and Johnny kiss beneath the waterfall. It was so romantic.
This film was originally billed as "Joan's Greatest Triumph." I certainly don't know if I'd agree with that and I'm certain that if Miss Crawford could speak to us from up above she would thoroughly disagree with this assessment. Some fans have referred to "Johnny Guitar" as "Mildred Pierce with a Gun." But if Joan could hear them now she'd slap anyone silly for daring to mention her defining-film in the same breath as this one! Joan was always ashamed of "Johnny Guitar" and felt it disgraced her long and impressive film-resume, and sadly, she never forgave herself for making it. In the late 70's, when reflecting on her life and accomplishments, Miss Crawford could only remember her failures when asked about this feature film, "I should have had my head examined. No excuse for a picture being this bad or for me making it." (I love those quotes by the way, because it only makes me want to watch this movie even more!) But I am certain of one thing, if Joan is watching us above in heaven, she would be very pleased to know that there is an entirely new generation of fans who are totally turned on to "Johnny Guitar" and more importantly, to her!
Want Johnny Guitar (1954) Discount?
Bizarre Western directed by the great Nicholas Ray and starring Joan Crawford as Vienna, a tough saloon/casino owner. Vienna is waiting for a railroad to come through to make her business boom but Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge) wants her dead. Emma hates Vienna supposedly because The Dancin' Kid (Scott Brady) likes Vienna instead of her. Vienna hires Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden) to play guitar in the saloon. They are old lovers from Vienna's dance-hall girl days. But all hell breaks loose when a bank robbery goes wrong and Emma implicates Vienna as the leader and leads a posse to lynch her. Vienna is rescued and takes refuge in the Dancin' Kid's hideout. Emma and Vienna will face off before it's over. Incredible tale written by Philip Yordan and laden with symbolism that has caused some to compare this film to the McCarthy witch hunts of the 50's. It's a fascinating piece all right. It's in color and features a great supporting cast with Ernest Borgnine, Ward Bond and John Carradine. McCambridge is pure hellfire as the self-righteous Emma and Crawford is noble and stoic as Vienna and supposedly did her own stunts. Allegedly, Crawford and McCambridge despised each other on the set and this information kind've adds to the fun of the film. Peggy Lee sings the haunting title ballad. A must see. Watch for it.Save 23% Off
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