SUGARFOOT (1951, AKA: SWIRL OF GLORY starring Randolph Scott)

While this is one of Randolph Scott’s weaker Western adventures-- let down by pedestrian direction—it still has moments of interest and will be sought by Randolph Scott completionists. Fortunately, Steve Mormando at Belle&Blade carries this title, for it seems that nobody else does.

The print is not great, but it is still watchable. Some of the best moments come when Scott interacts with the terrific character actor Arthur Hunnicutt. There is one scene where Hunnicutt shows Scott a skeleton of a man and a skeleton of a snake. It appears marauding Indians had staked the man down so that he could only move his head. The rattler was staked down by the tail and because he was riled, was inclined to repeatedly strike at the man’s head. The distance had been carefully calculated to allow the man just enough room to avoid the rattler’s poisonous fangs IF he moved his head back in time! Not a very comfortable situation for man or snake! Who died first is left to the imagination. Hunnicutt says he like to look at the skeletons every now and then as it ‘reminds him to be cautious.’ A great touch!

Raymond Massey plays the chief villain here, but his part is woefully underwritten. Massey was a brilliant stage/screen actor who stood out as much for his presence as his great acting ability. Born in Canada, partly educated in England and later becoming a U.S. citizen, Massey always manages to sound Canadian. He had a very beautiful baritone speaking voice. Interestingly, he is vocally upstaged here by Robert Warwick, who also plays a shady character. Warwick’s resonant voice cuts like a knife and leaves a strong impression.

Scott plays a ‘sugarfoot’ or tenderfoot, that is, one who is new to the ways of the west. He manages, in true B Western form, to overcome this obstacle of inexperience to win the girl and beat the bad guys. There are points of interest in SUGARFOOT, but it’s pretty lame and by-the-numbers.

Still, if you’re a Randolph Scott fan like me, you won’t mind too much. Randy rules! And thanks to Belle&Blade you can complete your Scott Western collection. This was the only title missing from mine until I found B&B.

So give Steve a call or go online and look up Belle&Blade for the finest collection of war-themed/action films anywhere!

Jon Ted Wynne