The Spoilers (1942)

Smirk City

How can a movie at the end of the "golden era" with three major stars prove to be a dud. Welcome to The Spoilers. The script is weak, containing some real howlers. Marlene is wooden; her face seems to be painted on. (Would that she had danced and tried to sing.) Wayne and Scott smirk through every scene. Even the lengthy fight scene is poorly done; it's fun to watch the double for Scott appear and reappear in the long shots. Oh yes, and the story was supposed to take place in Nome. See if you can be persuaded that anyone left the Universal set. In short, this is a long, long way from Destry Rides Again. November 11, 2007

Marlene Dietrich...once again torn between John Wayne and Randolph Scott

In THE SPOILERS, we can once again enjoy the unusual star combination of Dietrich, Scott and Wayne in a rollicking adventure set against an Alaskan boom-town circa the 1890's. "The Spoilers" by Rex Beach had already been adapted for the screen several times, but this is the version most people are familiar with.

The town of Nome is at the height of the gold-rush, and saloon owner Cherry Malotte (Marlene Dietrich) becomes the object of desire in a vendetta between cheated miner Roy Glennister (John Wayne) and local kingpin Alexander McNamara (Randolph Scott).

Universal first combined Dietrich, Scott and Wayne in "Pittsburgh" (also released in 1942); their unusual screen chemistry plays out to maximum effect in THE SPOILERS, yet both movies are quite similar with their period settings and fiery love-duels for Dietrich's affection.

Marlene Dietrich gets to really cut loose with her character of Cherry Malotte, costumed in some outrageous Vera West creations. Adding some fun comedy is her wisecracking maid Idabelle (Marietta Canty). Margaret Lindsay is the stereotypical "good girl"--but with a twist.

Many reviewers have already talked about the climactic brawl between Wayne and Scott, so I won't step on anybody's toes. That said, it is a brilliantly-executed sequence, you can't even tell where the actors leave off and the stunt doubles take over.

Settle back with some hard-boiled eggs and enjoy this classic adventure romp! (Single-sided, dual-layer disc). August 14, 2007

The Spoilers 1942

John Wayne (1907-1979) Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) and Randolph Scott (1898-1987) shine in this all-star adventure classic about gold and greed in a Alaskan boomtown during the 1890s . When honest ship Captain Roy Glennister (Wayne) get swindled out of his mine clime , he returns to seductive saloon singer Cherry Malote (Dietrich) for assistance in his battle with no-good town kingspin Alexander McNamara (Scott) . It's an adventure as wild as the Northwest Territory itself , featuring an all-out fight to the finish between Wayne and Scott that's considered one of the most spetacular action sequences ever filmed . High Quality Transfer . July 15, 2007

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE LADY

THE SPOILERS is based on a novel written by Rex Beach The Spoilers. In 1942, it was already the fourth time Hollywood producers were adapting the book whose last adaptation was released in 1955. I sincerely would have liked to sing without limitation the praises of the film like all the precedent reviewers here but I honestly can't. Director Ray Enright was not John Ford nor Anthony Mann and all the Hollywood stars wouldn't have changed the fact that this movie is a good B-movie but not a masterpiece.

Don't misunderstand me, I've liked the film or, rather, I've liked certain aspects of THE SPOILERS. Marlene Dietrich's performance, for instance, is a reason to see the film, she's the real star here, John Wayne and Randolph Scott's parts being interesting, yes, but less important. I've also liked a few comic scenes such as the arrival of Jonathan Struve at the mine and his retreat in front of Al Dextry and his rifle Betsy. In this scene, Ray Enright reminds us of the time he was a gag writer for Mack Sennett. Finally, there is the well-known final fight between John Wayne and Randolph Scott : absolutely unrealistic but so cinematic.

A DVD zone Roy Bean.
April 26, 2007

Dietrich, Scott & Wayne star in this fast-paced mixture of adventure, romance and saloon brawls.

John Wayne may well be billed third behind Marlene Dietrich and Randolph Scott In this forth and best version of THE SPOILERS but it was Wayne's star that was in the ascendancy, most of Dietrich's best work was behind her and Scott from the mid 1940's on was mostly in above average B-Westerns. Also starring Harry Carey former cowboy star of hundreds of early westerns and a favourite of director John Ford.

THE SPOILERS was from a 1906 novel by Rex Beach the story is set in the mud splattered mining town of 1900 Nome, Alaska during the gold rush. Roy Glennister (John Wayne) and Al Dextry (Harry Carey) are co-owners of a gold mine financed by saloon owner Cherry Mallotte (Marlene Dierich). A crooked gold commissioner Alexander McNamara Randolph Scott sets out to steal Glennister's claim along with the love of Cherry! The climax is one of the best-filmed extended bar-room-brawls of all time. A fifth version was released in 1956 this time in color with Jeff Chandler and Rory Calhoun in the Glennister and McNamara roles.

Made in Yukon Territory, Canada 65 years ago, filmed in black & white and directed by Ray Enright. No doubt a five star western on its release; including the excellent opening sequences showing the very muddy streets of Nome. The end also has the much acclaimed fight sequence between Wayne and Scott, but in between some other parts of it don't quite pass the test of time on this Universal 2006 DVD Release.




January 20, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...