Randolph Scottis one of the most recognizable and acclaimed actors in Western history, with a storied career spanning from 1928 to 1962. Scott’s command of the screen was not just down to his towering, well-built 6'2" frame, but also his charismatic delivery, stellar performances, and good looks. He built career-long collaborations withsome of the best Western directors in the genre, like Budd Boetticher and Henry Hathaway, which resulted in some of the most iconic Westerns of the time, cementing his legacy as one of the era’s strongest leading men.
ThoughScott appeared in many different roles in numerous varied genres, such as war, horror, and fantasy, it was his Western films that truly set him apart, showcasing his innate ability to portray rugged, complex characters. Some ofthe best Westernshe starred in, such asRide the High CountryandRide Lonesome, show his skills at portraying a hero with morally ambiguous qualities in a narrative catered to all the essential Western tropes. Scott’s Western work not only defined his career but helped redefine the early work in the Western genre, presenting it as one of the most celebrated in all of cinema.
Man in the Saddle
Cast
Man in the Saddle is a 1951 Western film depicting a struggle between a small rancher and an influential neighbor. In a bid to protect his land, the rancher faces escalating hostilities when his neighbor hires gunmen, prompting a violent confrontation.
Man in the Saddleis a Western film directed by a legend in the genre Andre de Toth, based on author Ernest Haycox’s 1938 novel of the same name.Scott stars as rancher Owen Merritt, who gets caught up in a deadly warwith a rich landowner who wants to take over his ranch while also entering into a complicated love triangle with two very different women. The film does an excellent job of weaving different themes of action, romance, and violence to create a captivating story about survival and resilience.
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Though Scott would primarily be known for his many collaborations with director Budd Boetticher, his work with de Toth should not be overshadowed, withMan in the Saddlebeing their first of six works together.While the narrative is fairly straightforward, it doesn’t lack in action, with a runaway wagon, gun battle, and epic fist fight, as well as the romantic subplot that doesn’t take away from but elevates the film’s main storyline. It’s a film that has been vastly underrated, both in terms of the overall production and in Scott’s commanding performance that drives everything forward.
Riding Shotgun
Riding Shotgun is a Western film released in 1954, featuring Randolph Scott as a stagecoach guard. The plot centers around his efforts to warn a town about an impending raid by outlaws, only to be mistakenly identified as a gang member by the townspeople.
In another collaboration with Andre de Toth,Riding Shotgunis a Western adapted from Kenneth Perkins' short story “Riding Solo,” originally published in 1942.Scott stars as stagecoach guard Larry Delong as he is framed for murderin a town he is trying to save from the man who killed his sister and nephew in cold blood. Larry hides out in the town’s cantina until he can prepare for the epic climactic battle, which is reminiscent of other Westerns likeHigh Noon, that sees a long build-up pay off in a big way.
Riding Shotgunhas a 6.4/10 rating on IMDb, based on 1400 reviews.
Riding Shotgunis innovative in its format and production in a few ways, with Scott as the lead, narrating his inner thoughts throughout the film and the pacing of the movie playing out almost in real time. These choices, while slowing things down, also add genuine tension and a gripping atmosphere, with the narrative forcing the characters and viewers alike into a claustrophobic setting away from the usual, expansive Western backdrops. The role of Delong sees Scott able to show off his immense versatility as a protagonist who is caught between wanting justice and his will to survive.
The Spoilers
The Spoilers is a 1942 film centered on ship captain Roy Glennister, who seeks the help of saloon singer Cherry Malotte after being swindled out of his mine claim by the unscrupulous town leader Alexander McNamara.
Ray Enright’sThe Spoilersis an epic western starring Scott, Marlene Dietrich, and John Wayne, and it isthe only Western Wayne and Scott would ever star in together. The film is set during the gold rush in Alaska, withScott portraying a conniving mining boss who gets entangled in a love triangleand attempts to swindle over $250,000 from the local landowners, as he and the town’s judge are the law in the area. The film mixes many themes, including romance, loyalty, and action, to create a memorable Western with two of the biggest stars in the genre’s history.
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Scott, who portrayed almost exclusively heroes throughout his tenured career, does a stellar job as the ruthless boss in a role that showcases his range as an actor. The film did well at the box office, and Scott, even among the star-studded cast, was one of the highlights,though at times he did feel upstaged by Wayne. The chemistry between the pair is undeniable, and, unfortunately, this was the only chance to get to see them face off against one another in an action-packed film that ends with one of the best fistfights in Western history.
Andre De Toth’sThe Bounty Huntersees yet another collaboration with Scott as the two continue to create magic together on the big screen. Scott plays the titular bounty hunter, Jim Kipp, who, after delivering yet another fugitive to the town, is tasked with his biggest bounty yet -hunt down a trio of robbers who stole $100,000 and receive a handsome reward for the trouble. Scott’s gritty performance drives the narrative as the film’s plot unfolds into moral dilemmas and philosophical reflections on what it means to seek justice.
Andre De Toth and Randolph Scott collaborated on six films together;Man in the Saddle,The Stranger Wore a Gun,Thunder Over the Plains,Riding Shotgun,Carson City, and The Bounty Hunter.
The Bounty Hunterwas the last of the six collaborations between Scott and de Toth, and they left on a high, finishing with potentially their finest film together. The film was, once again, innovative, as it was the first time to portray a bounty hunter as a heroic figure who was deemed a force for good and righteousness rather than just a hired murderer. Scott’s portrayal perfectly encapsulates this as his mental and physical inner conflict plays out on the screen in a captivating and nuanced depiction in an intriguing story that also utilizes plenty of action.
Comanche Stationis a minimalist Western famed for being the last of director Budd Boetticher’s ‘Ranown Cycle’, a series of Westerns that saw him collaborate in multiple iterationswith actor Scott, screenwriter Burt Kennedy, and producer Harry Brown. The film follows Jefferson Cody (Scott), a brave horseman who rescues a woman who was kidnapped and held captive by local Comanche raiders, only to face an equally grueling and dangerous task to make it back home. The film has a strong emotional core running throughout the work, as the film utilizes less dialogue and more evocative visuals.
The final film between Scott and Boetticher feels like the end of an era, as the two collaborated with other masterful hands to create many of the era’s finest Westerns. The cinematography, the pacing, the setting, and the intricate narratives allperfectly come together to produce an incredible workthat showcases Scott’s unparalleled ability to play an understated yet intense role. The final confrontation is perfectly built up and the film overall is a testament to Scott’s acting - expertly directed by Boetticher - cementing him as one ofthe all-time great actors in the Western genre.
Buchanan Rides Aloneis the fourth installment of the Ranown Cycle, once again directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Scott in the lead role, based on Jonas Ward’s 1956 novel The Name’s Buchanan.The film follows Tom Buchanan (Scott), a drifter who plans to return home to Texasto start his ranch, but a stopover in a small town sees him get involved in a local clan war and framed for murder. The film is played slightly tongue-in-cheek as there are several comedic sequences and humorous lines not often found in Westerns with similar motifs.
Man in the Saddle (1951)
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Ride the High Country (1962)
The film progresses as Buchanan continues to try and avoid trouble, but the more he aims to avoid it, the further into corruption and violence he descends.Scott shows another side to his acting credentials ashe effortlessly embodies the more light-hearted, comedic rolewhile also displaying some of the usual taciturn and intense elements that have made his roles so memorable. The final third sees Buchanan’s intelligence and cunning finally pay off, combined with the witty dialogue and Scott’s flawless delivery, making it a Western that goes above and beyond the usual expectations.
4Ride Lonesome (1959)
As Ben Brigade
Boetticher’sRide Lonesomeis one of the most renowned and respected entries in the Ranown Cycle, which sees the director continue his innovative creative techniques. The film seesScott star as bounty hunter Ben Brigade, who has captured and is escorting back a violent outlaw for his reward,but on his way, he is questioned by two miscreants who want to deliver the man back themselves so they can receive amnesty for previous crimes. The film features an ensemble cast, including genre royalty like Pernell Roberts, Lee Van Cleef, and James Coburn.
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Ride Lonesomecontinues to show why the multi-film collaboration between director and actoris so important, crafting many genre-defining works in a short period. The film has a fascinating story that is perfectly acted and impeccably paced, with Scott standing out, but the supporting cast more than holding their own. Scott’s depiction of a bounty hunter is, again, a morally complex and complicated one, with a layered perspective that showcases his talents for portraying the ambiguously natured characters in a film that has a palpable atmosphere and plenty of gunslinging action.
3The Tall T (1957)
As Pat Brennan
Based on one of eminent Western author Elmore Leonard’s stories,The Tall Tis another all-star collaboration between Brown, Boetticher, Scott, and Kennedy. Scott stars as Pat Brennan, a man who is simply making his way home to his ranch when the stagecoach he is on is held up by three violent and volatile outlaws.When he and a newly married woman on the coach are held for ransom, it’s up to Pat to thwart the gang’s plans and save the day. Scott delivers a tour-de-force performance as a ranch owner who goes above and beyond the call of duty and faces off against the bad guys at overwhelming odds.
The Tall Twas selected for the U.S. National Film Registry as being ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’ in 2000.
The Tall Tdelves into many of the complex themes that make a great Western, such as survival, morality, and determination. Scott, along with Richard Boone and Maureen O’Sullivan, gives some of the best performances in Western history. The trio plays off each other and elevates all three performances in a close-quarters setting that explodes with action. The film is a masterclass in methodical storytelling, adding warmth and emotion to an action-filled narrative that makes it one of Scott’s most underappreciated works.
2Seven Men From Now (1956)
As Ben Stride
Seven Men from Now, also known as7 Men from Now, is the very first film in the Ranown Cycle and the very foundation that would go on to produce six other incredible Westerns. The film’s plot sees a multi-layered narrative, with Scott starring as former sheriff Ben Stride,who is seeking vengeance on the seven men responsible for his wife’s murderduring a bank robbery. Scott’s portrayal of Stride is truly an expert at work as the ex-sheriff is haunted by his role in his wife’s death, having lost his job, which resulted in his wife having to work in the bank, resulting in a bitter, angry, and lost character.
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The film has an ensemble cast featuring the likes of Gail Russell and Lee Marvin, who provide ample support for Scott’s career-defining depiction of Stride.Seven Men from Nowshows the strength and nuance of Scott’s acting versatility, as he deftly portrays a man who is at once, both determined and hard-nosed yet emotional and vulnerable, a rare dichotomy that not many actors can pull off, and do so effortlessly. The crescendo of the final action sequence is masterfully directed, and it’s a combination of all aspects, from performances to action, that makes it one of the era’s best Westerns.
Ride the High Country
Ride the High Country, released in 1962, features an ex-lawman tasked with transporting gold from a mining community through treacherous terrain.
Though Boetticher and Scott had many epic collaborations, Scott’s best-ever film was with emerging young director Sam Peckinpah, who would go on to become a Western legend in his own right. The film stars Scott and Joel McCrea inone of the best Westerns where two legendary actors team upas two aging ex-lawmen who must navigate one final job of transporting gold to a mining camp. The film’s plot takes a turn when one of the men decides that it would be better if the gold never made it to the camp, thus causing a rift that explores greed, guilt, morality, and loyalty in a tension-filled narrative.
Ride the High Countryis a poignant and introspective film, showing two retired lawmen grappling with existential and philosophical dilemmas, and while not an all-action affair, the emotional and mental stakes make it one of the most outstanding Westerns of the era. The beautiful cinematography, superb dialogue and help the film showcase an older man grappling with his legacy and life, mirroring the real-life questions fromRandolph Scotthimself. This performance would be his last ever role, marking a truly fitting conclusion to an extraordinary career, leaving at the top with the best work.
