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Signature Classic |
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Rio Bravo Sponsor Appreciation Event / 50th Anniversary Screening Sponsored by Hunt Family Foundation 1959 | Not Rated | Western, Romance | d. Howard Hawks John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson Pass Holders / Invitation Only |
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| The term masterpiece often frightens viewers away from important works of the cinema. No need to worry about Rio Bravo. Howard Hawks not only created a late masterpiece, but produced a film that gathered together many of the elements of his previous work into one big, and accessible, drama/comedy/action film. John Wayne is a sheriff intent on bringing justice to a wealthy landowner’s brother. The only problem: Hired guns have got Wayne holed up in the jail with only a drunk deputy and cantankerous old side-kick for company. With Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond and a host of other familiar faces, Rio Bravo was Hawks’ long-gestating response to that other sheriff-in-trouble film - High Noon. Rio Bravo is considered an “important” film to those who study the cinema, but it is also one of the most entertaining important films you’ll ever see – a multi-layered, multi-generational, subtle and subversive western. If Hawks is underappreciated today, it’s probably because his films are so easy to digest, his mastery and dry humor always in service of the audience’s enjoyment. But if you need more reasons to see this great film, here it is: to the best of my knowledge, Rio Bravo represents the only screen instance where John Wayne kisses a man! Now if that’s not worth seeing… - Charles Horak | ||