Thu 7 Mar 2013
A Western Movie Review by Dan Stumpf: JUBAL (1956).
Posted by Steve under Reviews , Western movies[6] Comments
JUBAL. Columbia, 1956. Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger, Valerie French, Felicia Farr, Basil Ruysdael, Noah Beery Jr., Charles Bronson, Jack Elam. Director: Delmer Daves.
Segueing to Classical Tragedy, there is Jubal, from a novel by Paul Wellman, based loosely on Othello. I liked the way director Delmer (The Hanging Tree, Destination Tokyo, Dark Passage) Daves managed to view all the characters in this moody melodrama of passion and murder with a certain amount of sympathy, even Valerie French’s trampy temptress and Rod Steiger’s bitchy cowboy.
Glenn Ford’s acting in this is uncannily similar to James Dean; he shifts shyly from people, smiles uncomfortably and tries to sound like he’s joking when be reveals his feelings, and even rubs his face in James Dean style. I’m probably the only moviegoer in the Free World who would get this impression, but I still think it’s a fine performance in a great western.
March 8th, 2013 at 1:31 am
I’ve never seen this movie, but given the chance, I’m sure I will. It’s a great cast, and I’ve always liked Glenn Ford as an actor. You make it sound as though he’s at the top of his game in this one, Dan.
March 8th, 2013 at 7:57 am
I enjoyed JUBAL recently and it is further proof that you have to watch Encore’s THE WESTERN CHANNEL because they often run classic westerns like this one. In fact Criterion has picked it for a future release in May 2013 which means it is a must buy.
As crazy as JUBAL gets, THE VIOLENT MEN is even more insane and reminds me of JUBAL. It also stars Glenn Ford along with Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson and Brian Keith. They all have a fine time acting strange and it also is a must buy on dvd.
When critics talk about the simple plots of westerns, they obviously have not seen JUBAL and THE VIOLENT MEN.
March 8th, 2013 at 10:22 am
Glenn Ford is always a sign of quality. I don’t remember a single movie in which he played, that was bad or ho-hum.
The Doc
March 9th, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Walker, I think I reviewed VIOLENT MEN here awhile back…
March 9th, 2013 at 11:20 pm
For Dan’s review of THE VIOLENT MEN see https://mysteryfile.com/blog/?p=1447
March 12th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
I saw this ages ago in the theater and loved it then. But I haven’t seen it since. Thanks for the reminder, Dan. I do remember thinking that this was one of Glenn Ford’s best performances. But I don’t remember being reminded of James Dean. 🙂