Off-beat, hippy-era western, starring an excellent Jason Robards as a small-time owner of a spring for travellers across the Arizona desert.
This is a good print of The Ballad of Cable Hogue, an off-beat western from 1970, starring Jason Robards, fellow theatrical great, David Warner, and glamour-girl-turned-actress, Stella Stevens. As the title suggests, this is very much the `story' of Cable Hogue, told in a slightly theatrical style, with some turn of the century music, and some mild hippy-era sexual freedom & scepticism about authority, banks, and organised religion.
Compared to the related Cat Balou & Paint Your Wagon, this is a milder film. The emphasis here is on strong acting and narrative, with less music, glamour, and uproar. Robards is far more engaging and easy-going than in his more famous roles as an authority figure. He easily convinces as a small-time operator, who is, nevertheless, proudly independent as king of his own two acre spring. Warner entertains as the lay preacher, with very lax morals.
Out in the Arizona desert around 1900, Hogue's partners take what little water they have between them, and leave him to die. On his last legs, he stumbles into an isolated spring. This saves his life, and lets him set up shop as a profitable way-station for the weekly stagecoach. Thereafter, he has three main interests: safeguarding his spring, prostitute Stella Stevens, and revenge over his ex-partners.
Although the love and revenge elements are there in the film, in many ways this is a story about the American go-ahead spirit which successfully conquered The West, allied to simple property laws, and visionary investment. One might almost suspect the studio of trying to subvert the then-prevailing hippy culture to spread a capitalist message.
Overall, a mild, off-beat, hippy-era western, with a strong central performance, telling a simple story with satisfying control.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned