Montana is a 1950 Western film starring Errol Flynn.
It was only the second time Flynn played an Australian on screen,
the first time being Desperate Journey (1942).
The film was Flynn's fourth and final pairing with frequent co-star Alexis Smith.
Production
Warner Bros had made a number of Westerns named after famous American cities,
including Dodge City, Virginia City and Santa Fe Trail.
In June 1940 they announced they were making a Western Montana,
based on C.B. Glasscock's book "The War of the Copper Kings".
In August 1941 Warner Bros announced that Errol Flynn would be appearing
in the Technicolor Western Montana in 1941-42.
However America's entry into World War Two appeared to delay the production.
After the war it was reported Eagle Lion wanted to make a Western
called Montana starring Joel McCrea.
Then in July 1947 Warners seemed to reactivate the project -
Vincent Sherman was named as director, William Jacobs producer and
Thames Williamson to work on the script; Errol Flynn was listed as a possible star.
However Errol Flynn disliked making Westerns. 1949 he told Hedda Hopper:
Acting for me is sheer fun. There's only one thing I really don't want to do any more
and that's Westerns. I guess I've trod every back trail and canyon pass in the entire west.
I've never literally had to read the line, 'they went that a-way pard',
but there is one cliche I've said so many times it comes back to me in all my nightmares.
Every time there's a gap in the story, every time the writers don't know what to do next,
they have me pull up ahead of my gang, assume a decidedly grim look,
and say 'All right men, you know what to do now.'
The fact is I've made so many of these things, scripts seem so much the same,
that what it adds up to in my mind is that the studio says, 'Here's a horse. Get on.'
In December 1947 it was announced that Ronald Reagan would play the lead in Montana,
with the script based on a novel by Ernest Haycox.
The film became officially part of Warners 1948 schedule.
Eventually Warner Bros decided to give the film to Errol Flynn.
In June 1948 they ordered him to return from holiday and take the role under his contract.
Ray Enright assigned to direct - his first film under a long term contract with Warners.
Filming began August 1948, after Flynn had just completed a three month boat trip on the Zaca.
The film reportedly started shooting with the script only half ready.
James R. Webb and Charles G Booth were credited as working from a story by Ernest Haycox.
Little, if any, of the film was shot in Montana.
Reception
The Los Angeles Times said the film "won't set the cinema world on fire
but it's solid Western entertainment."
The Washington Post called it "a fair enough hour and a quarter."
User Review
Montana? Not Baaaad!
9 September 2008 | by srpwx (United States
Quote from scpErrol Flynn, as a sheep-herder? Say it ain't sew! No wonder Flynn drank his way through this turgid Western.
I'd be pulling the wool over your eyes by saying Flynn doesn't mail it in. Lots of short scenes with many edits plus obvious studio cuts against outdoor backdrops. Flynn's first film in 1950 but the miles and trials were taking a toll on Errol. His eyes were too bloodshot to shoot some scenes.
Nevertheless, the Technicolor cinematography (Calabasas Ranch)is first rate plus production values make up for the drab characters. It's tough to care about anyone except beautiful, flaming redhead, Alexis Smith. I've never seen whiter teeth in my life. Cute little scar on her chin too. Flynn and Smith have some nice scenes plus sing a fun little ditty: Reckon, I'm in love! Seriously, it's not bad! A sheep-herder invades cattle country! If this sounds like a bum steer of a film, you're probably right but it's Flynn in his final decade.
He went downhill fast from here but "amoung other things", he still looks good next to Alexis.