Big Jim McLain (1952)
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55% of users liked it
(221 ratings)
Of all the "kill the commies" cold war films of the 1950s, John Wayne's Big Jim McLain may well be the worst. Certainly it's the hardest one to sit through today. The Duke and his partner Jim Arness (Wayne's real-life protege) head to Hawaii to investigate a subversive pro-Red… More Of all the "kill the commies" cold war films of the 1950s, John Wayne's Big Jim McLain may well be the worst. Certainly it's the hardest one to sit through today. The Duke and his partner Jim Arness (Wayne's real-life protege) head to Hawaii to investigate a subversive pro-Red organization. Feigning love for suspect Nancy Olson, Wayne ferrets out the name of the Big Cheese, played by Gayne Whitman. After a long wild-goose chase, peopled by such oddball types as Hans Conried and Alan Napier, Wayne catches up with his quarry, who has--egad!--already murdered Arness. Wayne exacts vengeance, paving the way for a final clinch with Nancy Olson, who turns out to be true-blue and not red after all. To quote Spike Jones: "Peeeeee.....yewwwww." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Edward Ludwig
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 30, 1952 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Pathetic anti-Communist propaganda film with a snarling John Wayne at his ugliest as a macho windbag special agent for HUAC.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The name of Wayne's special agent for the HUAAC had the same initials as those of Senator Joseph McCarthy, which was not a coincidence, and Wayne himself believed that his popular propagandistic film helped McCarthy's reelection campaign.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Wayne
as Big Jim McLain
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Nancy Olson
as Nancy Vallon
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James Arness
as Mal Baxter
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Alan Napier
as Sturak
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Veda Ann Borg
as Madge
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Hans Conried
as Robert Henried
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Gayne Whitman
as Dr. Gelster
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Hal Baylor
as Poke
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Robert Keys
as Edwin White
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John Hubbard
as Lieutenant Commander Clint Grey
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Paul Hurst
as Mr. Lexiter
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Sarah Padden
as Mrs. Lexter
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Peter Brocco
as Mr. Nash
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William Forrest
as McLain's Superior
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Gordon Jones
as Olaf
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Harry Tyler
as Waiter
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Peter Whitney
as Truckdriver
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Soo Yong
as Mrs. Nomaka
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Henry Morgan
as Uncredited
