Dodge City (1939)
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100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(2,539 ratings)
This landmark western -- which, along with Stagecoach, has often been credited with revitalizing what had become a stagnant genre -- stars Errol Flynn as Wade Hatton, a cattle man who arrives in the frontier community of Dodge City, which is overrun by footloose cowboys and outlaws. When Hatton… More This landmark western -- which, along with Stagecoach, has often been credited with revitalizing what had become a stagnant genre -- stars Errol Flynn as Wade Hatton, a cattle man who arrives in the frontier community of Dodge City, which is overrun by footloose cowboys and outlaws. When Hatton helps Dodge City lawmen capture a gang of cattle rustlers led by Jeff Surrett (Bruce Cabot), he's asked to help guide a wagon train into town with his friends Rusty Hart (Alan Hale, Sr.) and Tex Baird (Guinn Williams). En route, an impulsive young cowpoke named Lee Irving (William Lundigan) needlessly fires off his pistol, sparking a cattle stampede that leads to his death. When Hatton and his men arrive in Dodge, they discover Surrett is once again at large, and his gang has taken over the city. Appointed the city's new sheriff, Hatton is determined to clean up the town and put the outlaws out of business. In his rare moments off duty, Hatton tries to win the affections of Abbie Irving (Olivia de Havilland), but she believes that Hatton is responsible for the death of her brother Lee; Hatton's habit of flirting with dance hall girl Ruby Gilman (Ann Sheridan) does nothing to improve her opinion of him. A solid box office hit, Dodge City was the first of a series of westerns for swashbuckling star Flynn; his next oater, Virginia City, followed in 1940. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Curtiz
- Genres
- Western, Classics
- In Theaters
- Apr 8, 1939 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Top line Warners western w/heroic Errol Flynn's guns blazin'!
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Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Much fun.
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Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Conventional western gets lavish Warners treatment
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A sprawling epic Western influenced by the Wyatt Earp legend.
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Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
Dodge City is a surprisingly effective and reliable warhorse, and the miscasting of Errol Flynn doesn't distract from the many great set pieces.
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Cast
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Errol Flynn
as Wade Hatton
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Olivia de Havilland
as Abbie Irving
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Ann Sheridan
as Ruby Gilman
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Bruce Cabot
as Jeff Surrett
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Frank McHugh
as Joe Clemens
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Alan Hale
as Rusty Hart
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John Litel
as Matt Cole
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Henry Travers
as Dr. Irving
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Henry O'Neill
as Col. Dodge
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Victor Jory
as Yancey
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William Lundigan
as Lee Irving
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Bobs Watson
as Harry Cole
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Gloria Holden
as Mrs. Cole
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Douglas Fowley
as Munger
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Georgia Caine
as Mrs. Irving
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Charles Halton
as Surrett's lawyer
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Ward Bond
as Bud Taylor
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Russell Simpson
as Orth
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Monte Blue
as Barlow the Indian Agent
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Clem Bevans
as Charlie the Barber
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James Burke
as Cattle Auctioneer
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Nat Carr
as Crocker
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Spencer Charters
as Clergyman
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Chester Clute
as Coggins
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Joseph Crehan
as Hammond
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Fred Graham
as Al
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Thurston Hall
as Twitchell
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Robert E. Homans
as Mail Clerk
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Milt Kibbee
as Printer
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Vera Lewis
as Woman
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Wilfred Lucas
as Bartender
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Pat O'Malley
as Conductor
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Bud Osborne
as Stagecoach Driver/Waiter
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Henry Otho
as Conductor
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Ralph Sanford
as Brawler
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Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams
as Tex Baird
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Cora Witherspoon
as Mrs. McCoy
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George Guhl
as Jason the Marshal
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William McCormick
as Man