John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection (Blood Alley / McQ / The Sea Chase / Tall in the Saddle / The Train Robbers)

Description

The John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection features five classic films from the larger-than-life American hero, including Blood Alley, McQ, The Sea Chase, Tall in the Saddle and The Train Robbers, all available on DVD for the first time.

Born Marion Robert Morrison in Winterset, Iowa, John Wayne first worked in the film business as a laborer on the Fox lot during summer vacations from U.S.C., which he attended on a football scholarship. He met and was befriended by John Ford, a young director who was beginning to make a name for himself in action films, comedies and dramas. It was Ford who recommended Wayne to director Raoul Walsh for the male lead in the 1930 epic Western The Big Trail, and, although it was a box office failure, the movie showed Wayne's potential. For the next nine years, Wayne worked in a multitude of B-Westerns and serials in between bit parts in larger features. Wayne's big break came in 1939, when Ford cast him as the Ringo Kid in the adventure Stagecoach. Wayne nearly stole the picture from his more seasoned co-stars, and his career as a box-office superstar began. During his 50 year film career, Wayne played the lead in 142 movies, an as yet unsurpassed record, and was nominated for three Academy Awards., winning the Best Actor award in 1970 for his performance in True Grit. Blood Alley (1955) - An American seafarer patrolling the South Seas is asked by the daughter of a missionary doctor killed by the Communists to help transport the citizens of a small Chinese town to freedom in Hong Kong. This action-adventure based on A. S. Fleischman's novel, marks the first on-screen pairing of movie legends John Wayne and Lauren Bacall. DVD special features include: Newsreel footage (The Hollywood Foreign Press Honors John Wayne, Crusade for Freedom, John Wayne and The Legion Poppy Sale (silent clip), Air Force Honors the Cast of Blood Alley), 1955 Promos on Blood Alley (Wayne discusses how he made it into the movies; "the monster" of movie land; the Mitchell BNC camera and his use of his home movie camera to capture scenes while on Blood Alley), John Wayne trailer gallery

McQ (1974) - John Wayne forcefully enforces the law in this high-velocity thriller that's a revenge western set in the big city. Police Lieutenant Lon McQ (Wayne) investigates the killing of his best friend and uncovers corrupt elements of the police department dealing in confiscated drugs. Directed by John Sturges (Ice Station Zebra, The Magnificent Seven), McQ also stars Eddie Albert (Roman Holiday) and Colleen Dewhurst (Annie Hall, Dying Young).

The Sea Chase (1955) -John Wayne and Lana Turner are a formidable romantic team in this harrowing adventure directed by Academy Award-nominee John Farrow (Wake Island). Sea captain Kal Erhlich (Wayne) is an anti-Nazi German freighter captain at the outset of World War II attempting to sail his ship from Australia to the North Sea rather than risk internment. Both Allied and German ships follow in pursuit, while Erhlich battles storms, sharks, and romances.

Tall in the Saddle (1944) - In this fast-paced entertaining western, John Wayne stars as Rocklin, a cowboy who upon arriving at a ranch to work as a cowhand finds his employer was just murdered. Although he has no friends, and no money, Rocklin stays in town, intent on tracking the killers and uncovering a plan to inherit the dead employer's riches.

The Train Robbers (1973) - The action never stops in this western starring John Wayne, Ann-Margret and Ricardo Montalban. A gunhand named Lane (Wayne) is hired by a widow, Mrs. Lowe (Ann-Margret), to find gold stolen by her husband so that she may return it and start fresh. However, once they cross the border into Mexico to recover the loot, they discover two very different pursuers: a large group of bandidos and a lone horseman (Montalban), both of whom know their every move. DVD special features include: Two featurettes (Working with a Western Legend - an inside look at Wayne with stuntmen Jerry Gatlin, Dean Smith and Terry Leonard; The Wayne Train), John Wayne trailer gallery

Customer Reviews:

McQ.......2005-08-18

Excuse me but I don't speak english and I buy yours DVD only , when are subtitles in french. For this reason,I talk about McQ in french. C'est un excellent film policier réalisé par un director de talent, John Sturges dont j'apprécie toujours les films (The Magnificent Seven, Bad Day at Black Rock, Backlash, Gunfight at the OK Corral etc.) Il est aussi brillant dans les westerns que dans ses autres films d'action comme celui-ci. John Wayne qui a démissionné de la police, est embauché par un ami détective privé. Il va se lancer dans une passionnante enquête sur un trafic de drogue dont les commanditaires ne sont pas ceux que l'on croyait Malgrè l'âge et la maladie, John Wayne a beaucoup de présence dans ce film qui comporte une scène de poursuite très réussie

John Wayne Legnndary Collection.......2005-07-20

What can you say about movies with the Duke?
I love the Duke's movies.
I now have more than 75 Titeles in my DVD collection, Plus some colerized copies taken from TCM And AMC. I have edited the commercials out and burned them to DVD. I also have many of these on VHS tape.

It's good, but not great. .......2005-06-30

John Wayne, a legendary hero. This box set has some good movies, I really liked the Westerns, but the rest of the movies I didn't care for. Unless you're really into John Wayne this might be one Box Set you may want to rent rather than buy.

TALL IN THE SADDLE Stands Out.......2005-06-01

After "Stagecoach", it seems Duke finally started getting some decent scripts. "Tall in the Saddle" was written by his friend, Paul Fix who appeared in a lot of Westerns but is probably best remembered for TV's "The Rifleman" in the 50s and early 60s. "Tall in the Saddle" is a stand-out movie for the 1940s or for today. There is a real plot and lots of atmosphere with an eye-catching performance by Ella Raines. The other movies are only for John Wayne fans who will watch anything he is in. Of the others, I saw them all (except "The Sea Chase") when they were first released; I was always underwhelmed and remain so these years later. "Tall in the Saddle" is often on cable and can be taped; if you can manage to do that, you can save buying these other mediocre films.

Problems with Blood Alley.......2005-05-23

This is a great set. However, I've gone through four sets which were purchased/returned at Sam's Club!! Blood Alley is defective as it keeps on freezing or skipping. I've tried all four on three different machines. Has anybody had this problem? If the set from Amazon is alright, I'll buy it here.
Thanks!

Average customer rating:

Fun Movie
not a "B" western
What a great surprise
John Wayne was Tallin the Saddle
Tall in the Saddle...

Tall in the Saddle
Starring: John Wayne , Ella Raines , Ward Bond , George 'Gabby' Hayes , and Audrey Long
Director: Edwin L. Marin
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007P0X96
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Amazon.com

In this convoluted Western mystery, "tall in the saddle" is more of a genealogical clue than an accurate index of the hero's behavior. John Wayne has come to town, so he says, to work for a local rancher--who was murdered shortly after sending for him. Prime villain would appear to be Ward Bond, exuding oiliness as the local judge, who doesn't seem to be a real judge. Paul Fix (who cowrote the screenplay) and Harry Woods supply the thuggery. But mostly it's women that Wayne has trouble with: the dead man's genteel niece (Audrey Long) and her virago of a duenna (Elisabeth Risdon), and especially Ella Raines, who dresses like a man (well, a very pretty boy), runs the neighboring ranch, and falls into instant love-hate with Wayne. (This was Raines's glory period--within a few months in 1943-44 she was breathtakingly lovely in Corvette K-225, Hail the Conquering Hero, and Phantom Lady--but alas, here she's mostly just shrill.)

As run-of-the-mill Wayne Westerns go, this RKO picture is a bit upscale from the fare at Republic, if also less robust. Edwin L. Marin's direction is undistinguished, but the RKO craftsmanship is handsome as usual, and it must have been nice to work from a coherent screenplay for a change. Gabby Hayes is around to discuss sexual politics with Duke. For some reason the veteran character actor Frank Puglia goes uncredited as Raines's enigmatic servant, who seems to have wandered in from a Val Lewton production. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

Woman-hating cowboy becomes foreman of ranch run by pretty woman and her spinster aunt who have inherited the ranch.

Customer Reviews:

Fun Movie.......2007-07-24

I'm not a connoisseur of Westerns, but I've seen quite a few, including the artful and hallowed ones, such as Broken Arrow, The Searchers, High Noon, Shane, etc. Tall in the Saddle is light fare, with a lot of snappy banter and winks at the audience. My dad (in his 90s) was watching this and I sat down for a few minutes but watched it to the end. A good flick's a good flick!

not a "B" western.......2007-05-27

One of my favorite westerns. I own a copy. The plot is complex enough to be worthy of Cecil DeMille, though directed by Edwin Marin. Some have categorized this as a glorified "B" western, but I see nothing "B" about the cast of main characters nor the story line. Of course, we soon figure out that Wayne and Ella Raines' character were made for each other, but the "right" woman doesn't quite always end up with the hero, as for example in "The Far Country". We are kept in suspense through most of the film as to who killed Red Cardell and why, and who has been trying to ambush Wayne and why. We also wonder what Wayne's real motive is for sticking around after discovering that Red Cardell, whom he presumably never met, is deceased. It's always a treat to have Gabby Hayes back in a Wayne western. Ward Bond, another fixture in Wayne movies of the 1940s and 1950s, does well as a prime suspect for being responsible for the plot shenanigans and in piecing things together at the end. Audrey Long is perfect as the prim naive beauty from the East, as is Elizabeth Risdon, as her scheming arrogant old battle-ax of an aunt. Wouldn't the latter and Gabby make a lovely couple! Ella's character may have been a more exciting lover and companion than Audrey's; but, if I were Wayne, I'd be extremely careful about getting into a relationship with such a hot-headed jealous tomboy who thinks nothing of using me for target practice with her pistol and knife! There are a few seemingly incongruous details to the plot. Why does Ella's bodyguard hold off telling who killed Ella's brother? Does he want Wayne to take the blame? Jealous? Maybe he doesn't think anyone would believe him or doesn't believe the legal system will do justice. Or, perhaps he did tell the real reason to Ella. As is true of westerns in general, vigilante justice seems to be condoned by the main characters as the most just and efficient way to rid societies of evil people or those who have done you personally wrong....As a side note, this film should not be confused with the later Clark Gable western with the somewhat similar title "The Tall Men"

What a great surprise.......2007-04-28

I was expecting this early Wayne film to be one of those "cliched and routine" stock westerns, so imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered a well written and well performed, solid and unique little western/mystery. Wayne is great in his role and many of his "iconic" mannerisms are evident in this performance.
Co-star Ella Raines is not only very lovely, but she's very convincing as a "tough as nails" cowgirl. She and Wayne have great chemistry together.
The story in this film is airtight and very believable and was truly well written. There are many snappy and memorable bits of dialog delivered with perfection.
Gabby Hayes and Ward Bond once again demonstrate why they became such popular, co-starring character actors. Both of them really shine in their roles and make this film such an enjoyable experience. A special nod to actress Elisabeth Risdon for playing the bitter, conniving old crone so well, and to Audrey Long for making her "sweet and gentle" character memorable instead of boring. (not an easy task)
If you are looking for a fast paced, action packed western with a great story, then definitely check out "Tall in the Saddle." I now know this is one of the best from it's era, and highly recommend seeing it.

John Wayne was Tallin the Saddle.......2007-03-08

Take John Wayne and add a story from Paul Fix about murders and an evil Land grab, and you have a rip snorting story that zips right along. The film has a cast of character actors that read like who's who. Ward Bond is the bad attorney. Gabby Hayes is the cantankerous old wagon driver. Look for Ella Raines as the beautiful but equally tough heroine. This movie is just a lot of fun.

Tall in the Saddle..........2007-02-03

It's in black-and-white, the story is simple, nothing fancy, but yet, it appealed to me. Why? John Wayne of course. His character was nothing fancy, but I couldn't help but like the character for trying to do the right thing. One of my favorite early western movies. Five stars...

Average customer rating:

Movies fine but documentation needed
Two Wayne Westerns, Two Eras...
odd.........?

The Train Robbers / Tall in the Saddle
Starring: John Wayne , Ann-Margret , Rod Taylor , Ben Johnson , and Christopher George
Director: Burt Kennedy , and Edwin L. Marin
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BPL2HO
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

John Wayne leads the way through a rough-and-tumbleweed West. In Tall in the Saddle, he arrives in a dusty town to work on a nearby spread but there may be more to his intentions than meets the eye. "Gabby" Hayes, the best whisker-faced, gibberish-jabbering Western sidekick ever, joins Wayne in this exciting cowboy tale. In The Train Robbers, a widow (Ann-Margret) wants to clear her family's name by finding and returning the gold her husband stole. Wayne (along with Ben Johnson, Rod Taylor and others) signs on to help her. But where there's gold, there's sure to be trouble. Saddle up!

Customer Reviews:

Movies fine but documentation needed.......2007-09-10

I order these type movies for my brother and he couldn't find the 2nd movie. There is no documentation on the packaging that the 2nd movie is on the opposite side of the disc - which has no writing/markings. So he thought the 2nd movie had been left out. The movies themselves were fine and he was happy to have found the 2nd movie finally after a suggestion from me to try the other side of the disc as the only thing I could think of to try.

Two Wayne Westerns, Two Eras..........2006-01-18

Packaging "Tall in the Saddle", one of John Wayne's best-loved 'B' westerns of the 1940s, with "The Train Robbers", a lesser Wayne western effort from the 1970s, is, at first glance, a strange pairing, as the films have virtually nothing in common, other than both being westerns, and both starring the Duke.

But setting aside the lack of 'common ground', if you are a Wayne fan (as I am), both films are worth owning on DVD. "Tall in the Saddle" (1944), with a screenplay co-written by Wayne's lifelong friend, character actor Paul Fix, and produced by future Wayne business partner, Robert Fellows, is, in truth, a murder mystery set in the Old West, as Wayne investigates the murder of his prospective employer. Befriended by crusty woman-hater Gabby Hayes (who Wayne had worked with, frequently, dating back to his 'Lone Star' quickie western days, the previous decade), he quickly finds himself up to his neck in suspects (including a too-genial 'judge', played by another life-long friend and collaborator, Ward Bond). Loaded with some of the best humor of any Duke film (after he pistol-whips a gunman expecting a shoot-out, he responds, when admonished for HITTING the man, "Yes, ma'am, just as hard as I could!"), and some combustible sex appeal (provided by sultry Ella Raines), the film is short, fast-paced, and exciting. It even offers Wayne's vision of his future, as, when hearing Hayes described as a "grumpy old cuss", he replies, "I like grumpy old cusses...Hope to live long enough to be one."

By the time of "The Train Robbers" (1973), Wayne had certainly achieved that goal! Produced at the twilight of his career, as the combination of deteriorating health and a lack of good scripts were taking their toll, the film is a lightweight, if good-natured entry, of a group of gunhands (headed by Wayne), hired by sexy Ann-Margret to recover and return a gold shipment stolen by her late husband. Filmed in the era of "The Sting", nothing is as it seems, and the group soon finds themselves pursued by outlaws and a mysterious stranger (Ricardo Montalban), all leading up to a 'twist' ending. The fun of this movie isn't in the plot, however, but in the obvious camaraderie between Wayne and another lifelong friend and co-star, Ben Johnson, as well as with Rod Taylor (in his only teaming with the Duke), and Christopher George (in his fourth, and final appearance in a Wayne film). The chemistry between Wayne and Ann-Margret is light, and sweet-natured; she flirts, he reminds her that his saddle is older than she is! This isn't anywhere near the best of the Duke's movies, even for the 1970s, but it is likable, and the Wayne persona is as charismatic as ever.

At a really terrific price, "Tall in the Saddle"/"The Train Robbers" is certainly worth owning, especially if your DVD budget is limited.

The Duke STILL delivers!

odd.........?.......2006-01-15

Seems an odd mix here, a vintage Wayne film and one of his last. These films were released almost 30 years apart. Both are decent westerns, neither considered among Wayne's best, though the earlier one features Gabby Hayes and that is reason alone for aquiring.
As for the Train Robbers, it's a decent but lightweight film with fun byplay between members of the Wayne troop and Ann Margaret is certainly attractive. It does have a bit of a twist at the end. But Wayne at the end of his illustrious career is just a bit too long of tooth to carry off the potential romance angle that's supposed to exist with Margaret, as evidenced by him telling her that his saddle is older than she is.
Just wondering if we are going into a period of repackaging Wayne films ala Elvis and every song he ever recorded.

Average customer rating:

Fun Movie
not a "B" western
What a great surprise
John Wayne was Tallin the Saddle
Tall in the Saddle...

Tall in the Saddle
Starring: John Wayne , Ella Raines , Ward Bond , George 'Gabby' Hayes , and Audrey Long
Director: Edwin L. Marin
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

All Titles | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

1940s | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000O599NU
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Amazon.com

Description

Woman-hating cowboy becomes foreman of ranch run by pretty woman and her spinster aunt who have inherited the ranch.

Customer Reviews:

Fun Movie.......2007-07-24

not a "B" western.......2007-05-27

What a great surprise.......2007-04-28

John Wayne was Tallin the Saddle.......2007-03-08

Tall in the Saddle..........2007-02-03

DVD:

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