"Seven Men From Now" marked the first of seven compact 75-80 minute little westerns starring Randolph Scott and directed by Budd Boetticher. This one was produced by John Wayne's Batjac production company. It was originally intended for Wayne but he was busy on "The Searchers" (1956) at the time, so the role went to Scott. One has to wonder what would have happened had Wayne starred. For instance the running time would probably have had to have been lengthened to elevate it to "A" picture status. As it was it is a compact 78 minute "B" plus classic with an excellent cast and crisp direction.

This picture had been locked away in the Batjac vaults until recently when this and several other Batjac productions were painfully restored to their original brilliance under the direction of Michael Wayne.

Ex marshal Ben Stride (Scott) is on the trail of seven outlaws who robbed the freight office in his town and killed his wife in the process. Stride had been defeated for the job of sheriff and had refused to take the deputy sheriff job, thus he carries the burden of blame for not being there to save his wife.

Stride catches up to two of the men in the opening sequence with predictable results. Later on, he comes upon a young couple, the Greers, traveling west by way of the town that Stride is going to. When we meet John Greer (Walter Reed) and his wife Annie (Gail Russell), they are virtually stuck in the mud. Stride helps them out and decides to travel along with them. Greer seems to be a bit of a milk toast and an attraction forms between Annie and Stride.

Along the trail they meet up with Bill Masters (Lee Marvin) and his pal Clete (Donald Barry). Although Stride suspects that they might be a part of the gang, Masters soon lets it be known that he too is after the $20,000 stolen in the robbery. After a falling out Masters and Clete ride ahead to town and meet the remaining members of the gang headed by Bodeen (John Larch). They learn that the gold is being brought to them in Greer's wagon.

The gang rides out to try and ambush Stride and Masters and Clete ride after them. Out in the country a showdown ensues and..........

This film established the types of characters that would appear in the subsequent six films, the solitary granite jawed hero with a past and the likable but lethal villain. The final six films would be produced by Scott's Ranown production company.

The beautiful but tragic Gail Russell was fighting her personal demons at this time. Her past relationship with John Wayne no doubt figured in her getting this part, which she carries off well. She died at the young age of 36 in 1961. For Marvin, I believe that this was the first time that he was billed above the title. He practically steals the picture as the likable but deadly villain. Walter Reed was a staple of the John Ford stock company and has one of the best roles of his career in this film. Watch for Stuart Whitman as a cavalry lieutenant and Wayne stunt double Chuck Roberson as one of the outlaws. Donald Barry was better known as Don "Red" Barry in the 1940s as the result of having played Red Ryder in the 1940 serial "The Adventures of Red Ryder".

A great little western.

While you'd probably not have guessed it, this movie was made by "Batjac"--a production company owned by John Wayne. His name does not appear on the film and I find it odd Wayne himself didn't appear in the film--but I am glad, as Randolph Scott did a great job.

Scott plays an ex-sheriff who is chasing seven bandits who robbed an express office and murdered his wife. The problem is exactly who the men were and where the money got to is unknown. Along the way, Scott meets up with a "greenhorn" (a man inexperienced with the West) and his wife. Given that Scott is a good and decent man, he stops to help the couple who are stuck and then he accompanies them towards California--which is en route to what Scott thinks the murders are hiding.

A bit later, Lee Marvin (who always played a great "heavy") and his friend appear almost out of nowhere and tag along--though it's obvious they are up to some sort of no good. It's also quite possible that these two were part of the gang that Scott is looking to kill--the uncertainty really helped the film. This new five-some isn't together too long, as Marvin is, naturally, a trouble-making punk and Scott chases off him and his sidekick.

Where the film goes from there I'd rather not discuss, as there are quite a few twists and turns and I'd hate to ruin it for you. However, there is excellent action, dialog and acting and it cannot disappoint you unless you are some sort of boob! Plus, I really liked how the film could have ended on a cliché but chose another, more fitting ending. Good stuff!

PS--In a very, very brief scene, Scott and the couple come upon an outpost. Scott investigates and finds an old coot hanging about the place in spite of all the Indian attacks. The old guy looks like a live version of the TOY STORY II character, "Stinky Pete". If you've seen this Disney film, keep an eye out for the old guy and then let me know what you think!

John Wayne's Batjac productions was the producer of this fine B western and it shows the clout of star power. According to a book I have about those last three B western heroes, Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea, and Audie Murphy, Wayne liked the script and wanted to do it himself, but at the time was tied up with The Searchers. He peddled the script which he owned because Burt Kennedy who wrote it was under contract to Batjac and was doing it under Wayne's auspices to a number of people before getting Randolph Scott. When it premiered Wayne cursed himself that he hadn't done it.

If he had it would have become a classic like The Searchers. Wayne was at the height of his career at that point and Randolph Scott was doing good critically acclaimed, but B programmers that filled the second half of double bills at that time.

Hard to see how the Duke would have been better than Randolph Scott. He's a former sheriff out hunting the men who robbed a Wells Fargo express office and killed his wife who was working there. While on the hunt he runs into Walter Reed and Gail Russell who are a homesteader and wife traveling to California. Scott helps them out and rides along with them. Their story and his get enmeshed as the plot unfolds.

Gail Russell was a tragic figure who was a good friend of Wayne's. She had a lot of problems both emotional and with substance abuse. Like the Duke was wont to do, he gave her a part in this hoping for a comeback. Though she was good, it was not to be the case.

Her husband in the film, Walter Reed, got another chance to work with John Wayne this time in The Horse Soldiers as one of the officers on the raid that Wayne was leading. So did Stuart Whitman who has a bit role as a young army lieutenant. Their chemistry in The Comancheros was legendary.

Speaking of The Comancheros, Lee Marvin is memorable here as one of the villains with some highly mixed motives. And he too would get to work with John Wayne in the future.

Seven Men from Now is a fine film which but for a previous commitment could have been an A picture and a John Wayne classic. But Randolph Scott could hardly have been topped for the performance he gave.