The Durango Kid, alias Charles Starrett, once said, "Give Bob Fuller a western to make, then sit back and watch some real entertainment." My sentiments exactly, and he certainly excels in Phantom Hill. This Western has it all - the cavalry, Rebs and Yanks, warring Comanches, dastardly outlaws, big skies and deadly deserts, abundant horseflesh and plenty of action.

Leading the captain and four recruits to the stashed treasure is the only surviving member of the Rebel gang, convicted murderer Joe Barlow (Dan Duryea). In return for honoring a pre-war pardon, Barlow has agreed to cooperate, though reluctant and always scheming. A forced addition to the entourage is the young floozy, Memphis (Jocelyn Lane), sanctimoniously ousted from Hays City and destined for Santa Fe.

Information at first held privvy by Martin - the detail's true intention is not Santa Fe but the Staked Plains, desolate territory recently ceded to the Indians by government treaty - the rationale for enlisted men traveling as civilians. En route, the small group must deal with shortage of water in the sweltering desert, not to mention Indian attacks, a band of scruffy, gold-lusting ne'er-do-wells (headed by the ever roguish scoundrel Denver Pyle), Barlow's self-serving intrigues and attempts to incite disaffection, and (not leastly) Memphis's general snottiness.

Critique (from a non-critic): On close scrutiny one can always find faults, yet overall this enjoyable and satisfying Western thoroughly delights. Although somewhat familiar, the hunt-for-gold plot has enough unique differences to work well and can even boast cleverness in certain aspects, i.e. ways to obtain and conserve water. Yet, the imagination stretches when it comes to lessons in condensation (Don't try this at home, folks!). A good score complements, subduing to become unintrusive on dialogue. Well-executed stunts and action credit directors and players alike. A favorite scene has Captain Martin vaulting to position one foot on the rump of an Indian pony. In the same fluid, twisting motion he grapples the rider into the river.

Barring but a couple exceptions, performances of the mostly veteran cast rank superb. Needless to say, Robert Fuller shines, second to none as the 'take charge' captain. In the character of Martin can be found elements of a more controlled Jess Harper, a more authoritative Cooper Smith. And no one so skillfully handles a weapon, mounts or sits a horse better. What a thrill to see him simply (yet meaning business) slip his Colt's hammer loop, or rein up close into the camera from a full gallop.

Dan Duryea is once again loveably wicked. Nobody did that congenial, pseudo-helpful and facetiously well meaning bad guy like Mr. Duryea. Joe Barlow definitely brings to mind Mr. Duryea's performance in the very first Laramie episode, 'Stage Stop', although in this instance Barlow plays a tad toned down.

Tom Simcox does a nice job as Martin's guilt-ridden lieutenant, Adam Long. However, I would like to have seen his talent put to more extensive use, the relationship and interaction between Martin and Long further developed. As Krauseman, Claude Akins renders a somber portrayal of quiet insanity. Seems to be a role Mr. Akins took a liking to as he reprised it (or close to, could be classed as the prototype, perhaps) in his future ROTS character. Noah Beery, endearing as always in his guise of the happy-go-lucky Irishman, shows high spirits enough to down a full fifth of whiskey to no ill effects. Oddly, O'Rourke is the only volunteer for whom I could determine no motivation for joining the dangerous expedition.

On the down side, I found the part of Doctor Hanniford (Linden Chiles) to be a trifle stilted. And Ms. Lane's prostitute who had "made all the camps" proved undeniably and completely unbelievable. To the mind of this laywoman (excuse the pun), the character's bitchy standoffishness would have repulsed an entire regiment, let alone six lonely, woman-starved desert pilgrims.

Despite a smidgen of complaints, the film remains one of my favorites. Produced in a more innocent age, the movie contains no graphic or gratuitous violence or sex, no social-conscious moralizing, and no all-consuming, plot and character-sacrificing special effects. To rephrase Mr. Starrett, it's just good, old-fashioned, downright real and pure entertainment.

TIDBITS ESPECIALLY APPRECIATED

One million dollars worth of (heavy) gold bars in 1865. Thank God there was a ton of it, the men taking up the ingots and carrying but two at a time instead of handily hoisting and tossing an armload into one saddlebag, then slinging it over the back of one poor, downtrodden equine.

The portrait of Lincoln is draped in black giving, for all who notice, a definite timeline. Further in dialogue, a man announces that it's been six weeks since Lee's surrender (Sunday, April 9, 1865).

The 'Staked Plains' are real, incorporated into many a good Western novel including Buffalo Soldiers by Tom Willard. Though speaking of the area in terms of the 1880s, Mr. Willard states that the Mexicans designated the sector "Illano Estacado".

Mr. Fuller's original mount looks suspiciously like Hoot/Traveler from Laramie. But it was nice to see a truly different animal when circumstances required a switch to Indian ponies.

Sign on side of building adjacent to hotel where Memphis waits - "UNDERTAKER AND FURNITURE". Customers must be coffin up the price!

Many excellent close-ups of Robert Fuller. And when his leg is injured, he consistently confines his limp to the correct appendage (the right, I believe).

Good bit parts in the persons of Don Collier (Sheriff Drum), Paul Fix (General Good (?)), and of course Denver Pyle (No-good, low-down, mangy ruffian bandit).

QUESTIONABLES

How would Matt Martin treat a trollop? Certainly none too gentlemanly if we can believe the train scene where he refuses a drink offered by one who plops down on his lap. Upon Matt's rankled rising, he unceremoniously dumps the Jezebel onto the floor.

Outside a train car, near a coupling, Matt loses his hat and gun during the fight with Barlow while the locomotive speeds on. Arriving in Hays City he somehow has recovered both. What'd he do? Must have ordered the train to reverse, thereby allowing him to recollect his paraphernalia.

Days pass throughout the desert trek. Water is scarce and must be used sparingly yet all appear relatively (or would that be irrelatively?) clean-shaven and ungrimy (with no unsightly nicks or cuts). Neither do they appear to sweat. June in the deserts of Texas? They have to be out of their minds to be wearing those heavy coats and such.

The condensation bit just slays me. They sure rounded up a passel of water - enough for two men, two horses, and they washed up some, too! At that rate no one ever need die of thirst in the desert. And where'd they get all those smooth, uniformly oval rocks? No doubt from the powerful, raging river nearby.

Saddles make a paltry attempt to hide beneath the colorful blankets of the Indian horses. Saddles, bridles, girths, but no stirrups.

Barlow seems to be given free rein, neither shackled nor guarded, even at night. And not once does Memphis look to ply her trade. What kind of respectable harlot would pass up such an extraordinary opportunity?

That's the way the 'Incident' was - at least in the view (and review) of this humble viewer. I've yet to research the actuality of the Hill, but I'd like to know. Or could it have been just a 'Phantom' of someone's imagination?

Vernette Goats

16th August 2003

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