“JUBAL: THE CRITERION COLLECTION”
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 1956, unrated
Best extra: A 16-page essay from writer Kent Jones
“3:10 TO YUMA: THE CRITERION COLLECTION”
Blu-ray widescreen and DVD widescreen, 1957, unrated
Best extra: A new HD interview with author Elmore Leonard
CELEBRATED ACTOR Glenn Ford was billed as “the fastest gun in Hollywood” – able to draw and fire in 0.4 seconds – even faster than James Arness (“Gunsmoke”) and John Wayne. The son of a Canadian railroad executive and raised in Southern California, Ford regularly played well-meaning men caught in extreme circ*mstances.
“The Western is a man’s world and I love it,” Ford said. He was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in the late 1970s.
The folks at Criterion and Sony Pictures salute the soft spoken Ford – who never hid the gap between his front teeth – with two underrated westerns from Delmer Daves. Kent Jones writes in the enclosed booklet that Daves was considered one of Hollywood’s “most visually gifted directors” during the 1950s.”
“Jubal” brought Daves and his Cinemascope super widescreen cameras to Wyoming’s stunning Grand Tetons for a spirited tale of lust, jealously and revenge. Ford (Jubal Troop) gets top billing. He co-stars with the Oscar winner for “Marty,” Ernest Borgnine as rancher Shep Horgan, and Rod Steiger, nominated for “On the Waterfront,” as Pinky.
Offered a cattleman’s job, Jubal quickly wins favor with Horgan and his attractive French-Canadian wife (English actress Valerie French). Before we know it, he’s foreman and the lonely Mrs. Horgan can’t seem to keep your hands off him. Avoiding her, Jubal starts courting a Christian lady from a wagon train. Busting with jealously, co-worker Pinky hints to the boss that Jubal’s intentions are different with the Mrs.’s – which leads to a bloody shootout.
Jones’ essay reveals several passages from Daves’ production memos describing the non-traditional western: “It’s neither a true western nor an action picture. Perhaps it is best thought of as a story of redemption…and survival in a world of uncertainties and hostilities.”
The high-def master from Sony was pulled from the original camera negative, a striking point for any first-class restoration. Each frame was scanned at 4K, retrieving every single grain within the negative as technicians readjusted faded colors to brilliant, giving the Jackson Hole valley an unmatched richness with deep blues and reds. The overall sharpness is just as eye-catching as Daves’ camera compositions placing Ford and the rest of the cast in one of America’s most beautiful wonders.
“3:10 to Yuma” (1957) Van Heflin as Dan Evans with Glenn Ford as gunman Ben Ware
Ford and Daves reunited in the Arizona foothills a year later for “3:10 to Yuma,” based on Elmore Leonard’s 4,500 word pulp fiction story published in Dime Western Magazine, spring 1953. It’s one of the best Westerns of the decade, right up there with “High Noon.”
The psychological thriller roils between two men – Dan Evans (Van Heflin), who’s agreed to guard gunman Ben Ware played by Ford, for $200 in hopes of saving his struggling ranch. Evans must deliver the killer to the 3:10 train to Yuma for transport to prison. It becomes a battle of wills and bullets as Wade’s gang tries to spring their leader while Evans’ wife pleads with her husband to save his own life.
In Leonard’s interview, he recalls his days as a young writer whose paycheck was a modest two cents per word – $90 for “3:10 to Yuma.” He began his day by setting the alarm for 5 a.m.; he wrote for two straight hours, whipping up western yarns before heading to his full-time job at an advertising agency. Much of his description was pulled from magnificent color photographs published in Arizona Highways monthly.
Peter Ford, son of Glenn, provides more background for his father in another HD interview. Peter reveals how his dad was considered a “great horseman,” who got his start as a stable boy for American cowboy and social commentator Will Rogers. Ford himself called his role in “3:10” a “likeable heavy,” and considered the film his favorite western. Interesting enough, the studio originally wanted Ford to take the role of Evans, but he rejected the offer.
Ford didn’t like dialogue and would start trimming his lines once on the movie set. He told his son it was because of his speech cadence: “I’ve got one speed and it’s slow.” Moviegoers didn’t seem to mind – in 1958, Ford was named the No. 1 box office star.
The Blu-ray imagery is splendid and its black-and-white photography is even sharper than “Jubal’s” color, which gives Sony’s 4K restoration the highest marks. The same care was applied to the audio, giving the theme song by Frankie Laine, the famous voice from “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” and “High Noon,” a new fidelity.
— Bill Kelley III
