Editorial Review:

Description:
The Texas Big Bend country has a sudden outbreak of mysterious murders and a young drifter new to the area, played by John Barrymore, is the prime suspect. Captured and held for the murders, the rancher who is holding the young drifter does not realize that he has been set up to take the fall for these murders by men who were thought to have been killed years before in a range war. Now, these despicable men are back and are getting revenge on those who were involved in the range war that left them alive - but wounded. Bonus Features: Digitally Re-mastered from 35mm negative| Scene Selection Menu| Bios| Photo Gallery| VCI Western Promo| Bonus Episode from STORIES OF THE CENTURY TV Series. Specs: DVD5; Dolby Digital Mono; 81 minutes; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1950; SRP - $9.99.









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Rating: - Not quite as severe in my judgment....
HIGH LONESOME was Eagle-Lion's sequel to THE SUNDOWNERS (1950). While several cast members from the earlier film also appear in this one, most notably Chill Wills, the film lacks the "star-power" of a Robert Preston (or Robert Sterling). John Barrymore Jr. isn't as bad as some have written, but neither does he give the film that essential lift that it needs to be truly memorable. Still, for the price, and the fine camera work, and for Chill Wills (who always adds something), the film is worth investigating. Again, thanks to VCI gives us a handsome print..and we owe them thanks.

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Rating: - High at times and somewhat Loathsome.
If you like westerns, this movie has some moments. It was filmed in the Big Bend river country of Texas on the property of 6 working ranches. The technicolor photography is rich and scenic. There are some accomplished actors giving good performances as well some servicable ones by what must be genuine ranch hands based on their looks and riding ability. Unfortunately, the story is somewhat preposterous and it's main focus is on the character played (and I use that word in it's fullest sense) by the only Barrymore who couldn't act - John Drew Barrymore, father of his middle named daughter. Because of his famous lineage, J.D. bypassed the learning process of acting experience and jumped into lead roles like this one. Other than shouting out his lines, his entire range consists of contorted facial expressions to show suprise, fear and God knows what-all. The price of admission is almost worth the laughter it provokes. Because the producers or director couldn't have failed to notice how inept his acting was, most of his scenes take place with a squeaky voiced actress who deflects attention from him by being even more annoying. Also it must be noted that if music were medication then this movie is overmedicated. The soundtrack is shrill and overbearing, particularly in the beginning.
So what are the good points? Chill Wills gives the kind of appealing folksy performance before he became a cariacture and Basil Ruysdael as the father left me wanting to see more of him in something (anything) else. The film was directed and written by Alan LeMay who can be forgiven for this since his story was the source for Ford's "The Searchers". And there's the landscape spread out over 6 ranches, from arroyos to plains to riversides. As for John Drew Barrymore- well, he's got beautiful blue eyes and a great head of hair which as Mick Jagger once said is all you need to be a rock star. Not a film star.