Fans of The Duke have a lot to be thankful for this week.
Here’s our weekly overview of choice options for home-screen viewing. (Note: All times listed are Eastern.)
McLintock!
Aptly described by film critic and historian Leonard Maltin as a “slapstick variation of The Taming of the Shrew set in the Old West,” director Andrew V. McLaglen’s 1963 comedy-drama showcases John Wayne as G.W. McLintock, a swaggering man’s man who’s rich enough to accurately claim he owns “everything in this county from here to there,” and ill-behaved enough to drive his well-bred wife, Katherine (Maureen O’Hara), to establish residency back East. Two years after his wife’s departure — she suspected her husband of infidelity, and he never really denied it — Katherine returns to the territory, and to McClintock’s opulent home, to claim their Eastern-educated daughter, Becky (Stefanie Powers), and to start divorce proceedings. But Becky is in no hurry to leave after she discovers her father’s new ranch hand (Patrick Wayne, The Duke’s son) is appreciably more attractive than her Harvard-educated fiancé (Jerry Van Dyke). And Katherine reconsiders her options after falling in love with “G.W.” all over again — after he chases her through town during the movie’s climactic sequence, and none-too-playfully spanks her. (11:50 am Monday, Encore Westerns)
A Thunder of Drums
Richard Boone took a break from his popular Have Gun — Will Travel TV series to star in director Joseph M. Newman’s 1961 western as Captain Stephen Maddocks, the hard-nosed commander of an isolated cavalry outpost. Maddocks initially is unimpressed by Lt. Curtis McQuade (George Hamilton), an inexperienced officer assigned to his fort, but upgrades his appraisal when McQuade demonstrates courage under fire. The sterling supporting cast includes Charles Bronson (fresh from his career-boosting turn in The Magnificent Seven), Slim Pickens, Arthur O’Connell, rock guitarist Duane Eddy — and a pre-Dr. Kildare Richard Chamberlain. (6 pm Tuesday, TCM)
The Fighting Kentuckian
John Wayne, Oliver Hardy — yes, that Oliver Hardy, of Laurel and Hardy fame — and Vera Ralston are featured in director George Waggner’s 1949 period drama set during the aftermath of the War of 1812. Wayne stars as John Breen (Wayne), a Kentucky solider determined to help French exiles who may be cheated out of their land grants after settling in Alabama. Ralston plays a French general’s beautiful daughter — who, of course, falls in love with Breen — and Hardy costars as Breen’s loyal comrade in arms. (12:15 pm Wednesday, Encore Westerns)
John Wayne Marathon
AMC celebrates John Wayne with a five-movie marathon — The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (10 am), The Sons of Katie Elder (1 pm), El Dorado (4 pm), Big Jake (7 pm) and The Shootist (9:30 pm) — on Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy yourself, pilgrims.
Murphy’s Romance
James Garner received his only Oscar nomination as Best Actor for his performance in this charming 1985 May-December romantic dramedy, so you might say co-star Sally Field (along with veteran director Martin Ritt) brought out the best in him. On the other hand, you could also say they brought out the best in each other. Field is pretty and perky as Emma Moriarty, a divorced mother who's determined to open and operate a horse ranch on the outskirts of a small Arizona town. What she lacks in money, she more than makes up with grit and gumption. Before long, she strikes up a platonic friendship with Murphy Jones, the small town's easygoing pharmacist, a mellow eccentric played with amiable charm by Garner. Obviously, these two are soul-mates, destined to get closer as they get to know each other better. Trouble is, Emma's ne'er-do-well ex-husband, a smooth-talking good ol' boy named Bobby Jack (Brian Kerwin) shows up one day, hoping to win his way back into the good graces of Emma and their 13-year-old son (Corey Haim). For a lot longer than you might reasonably expect, Bobby Jack's presence serves as a plot complication. After a while, though, you almost feel sorry for the poor guy — even with his blond good looks and raffish charm, Bobby Jack is no match for the creased and crinkled charisma of the older and wiser Murphy. (8 pm and 10:35 pm Thursday, getTV)
