Posts from ethanedwards in thread „Three Faces West (1940)“

Another nice pic, thanks

Nice pic from a nice movie

Three Faces West is a 1940 American drama film starring
John Wayne, Sigrid Gurie and Charles Coburn.

I really like this film, and find it very interesting.
OK, it may not be a true factual story about the dust bowl,
but it sure, shows the how brutal it was.

Duke acted his part well, and looked credible, in his task.
It had a superior script, and included such distinguished actors,
as Charles Coburn, and Norwegian Sigrid Curie.

The chemistry between Duke and Sigrid, was obvious,
mainly because, Sigrid was a sultry, aggressive woman,
whom Duke found irresistible.and the two enjoyed a brief flirtation.

The film suffered as a result of being released after,
The Grapes Of Wrath and was therefore classed,
a cheap imitation

User Review

Quote

Epic John Wayne neo-western in dusty Oklahoma
2 September 2004 | by emdragon (Reno, Nv)

An old fashion moral tale with sweetness. John Wayne gives a great performance,
and Sigurd Gurie shines as the daughter of a Viennese Surgeon (Charles Coburn).
The historical significance of this picture is accurate and compelling, though rather melo-dramatic.
Ms Gurie gives a kind and sensitive performance in one of the finest roles of her brief career.
The Oklahoma dust bowl is the setting for this early 20th century tale that keeps an eye on several moral issues.
It tells the brave tale of poor farmers who were strongly bonded with "good honest sweat",
and who face a decision to stick together and head west. Spencer Charters,
playing the town veterinarian/comedian gives a fine performance
as do many of the players in this one. Well worth a watch.

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INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Viennese surgeon Dr. Braun and his daughter Leni come to a small town in
North Dakota as refugees from Hitler.
When the winds of the Dust Bowl threaten the town,
John Phillips leads the townsfolk in moving to greener pastures in Oregon.
He falls for Leni, but she is betrothed to the man who helped
her and her father escape from the Third Reich.
She must make a decision between the two men.
Summary written by Jim Beaver

Full Cast
John Wayne .... John Phillips
Sigrid Gurie .... Leni 'Lenchen' Braun
Charles Coburn .... Dr. Karl Braun
Spencer Charters .... Dr. 'Nunk' Atterbury
Helen MacKellar .... Mrs. Welles
Roland Varno .... Dr. Eric Von Scherer
Sonny Bupp .... Billy Welles
Wade Boteler .... Mr. Harris, Department of Agriculture Official
Trevor Bardette .... Clem Higgins
Russell Simpson .... Minister
Charles Waldron .... Dr. William Thorpe
Wendell Niles .... Man-on-the-Street Radio Announcer
Frank Brownlee .... Bill, a Farmer (uncredited)
Bob Burns .... Farmer (uncredited)
Horace B. Carpenter .... White-Haired Farmer in Oregon (uncredited)
Jim Corey .... Churchgoer (uncredited)
Douglas Evans .... We the People Radio MC (uncredited)
Mary Field .... Mrs. Stebbins (uncredited)
Francis Ford .... Farmer Bill, with Higgins (uncredited)
Byron Foulger .... Joe Stebbins, a Farmer (uncredited)
Stuart Holmes .... Extra Farmer at Meeting (uncredited)
Si Jenks .... Train Conductor (uncredited)
Darwood Kaye .... Boy Patient sitting in chair (uncredited)
Arthur Millett .... Farmer (uncredited)
Jack Montgomery .... Joe, a Farmer (uncredited)
Bill Nestell .... Farmer (uncredited)
Manuel París .... Refugee Doctor (uncredited)
Hank Patterson .... Pool Player (uncredited)
Rose Plumer .... White Haired Farmer's Wife (uncredited)
Victor Potel .... Postman (uncredited)
Dewey Robinson .... Bartender (uncredited)
John Sheehan .... Man Asking When Wedding Will Be (uncredited)
Ted Stanhope .... Farmer (uncredited)
Frederick Vogeding .... Herr Schmidt, Eric's Assistant (uncredited)
Bill Wolfe .... Farmer Driving to Oregon (uncredited)
Wolfgang Zilzer .... Dr. Rudolf Preussner (uncredited)

Writing Credits
F. Hugh Herbert (screenplay) &
Joseph Moncure March (screenplay) &
Samuel Ornitz (screenplay)
Doris Anderson (screenplay)

Original Music
Victor Young (musical score)

Cinematography
John Alton

Trivia
Wendell Niles, the "man on the street" reporter after the big dust storm, was a real radio announcer. He worked on many shows of the golden-age of radio including "The Burns and Allen Show."

Two of the movie's main characters are introduced via a radio program called "We The People." This was a real radio show that ran on the CBS blue network (originating on WABC, New York) from circa 1937 to circa 1949. The sponsor was Calumet Baking Powder. The show was created by Phillips Lord (of "Gangbusters" fame) to give "a half-hour to the people of this country so we can hear their experiences." The radio program shown in this movie is essentially the same as in real life--real people spoke at the microphone telling their own stories.

Douglas Evans, shown as the master of ceremonies for the radio show "We The People," was a radio announcer in real life. He worked for KFI (Los Angeles) in the 1930s.

Goofs
Character error
Doctor Braun's "Austrian" accent briefly reverts to a distinct Irish brogue at around 29 minutes.

Continuity
At c.6 minutes Dr Braun and his daughter suddenly switch seats on the train.

Errors in geography
The US Department Of Agriculture Soil Conservation Officer tells John Phillips (John Wayne) that the Government considers the soil in his small, North Dakota town "doomed". The Officer shows John the entire "doomed" area, which is highlighted on his map of the United States. The northern part of the highlighted area starts around the same latitude as Chicago. This areas is probably at least 400 miles south of the North Dakota's southern border.

Revealing mistakes
During the final scenes of the North Dakota town (c.55 minutes) there are taller, modern buildings in the background.

Memorable Quote

Filming Location
Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California,