Virginia City (1940)

47% of users liked it
(472 ratings)

Promoted as a follow-up to the popular 1939 western Dodge City (which, indeed, was left wide open for a sequel in its closing scenes), Virginia City bears only surface resemblance to the earlier film. Indeed, the only discerning links between the two pictures are the western setting and the presence… More Promoted as a follow-up to the popular 1939 western Dodge City (which, indeed, was left wide open for a sequel in its closing scenes), Virginia City bears only surface resemblance to the earlier film. Indeed, the only discerning links between the two pictures are the western setting and the presence in the cast of Errol Flynn, Frank McHugh, Alan Hale and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams. After escaping from a Confederate prison during the Civil War, Union officer Flynn vows to stop a $5,000,000 gold shipment from reaching the South. He is challenged by Southern sympathizer Randolph Scott, whose interest in the gold is patriotic, and by outlaw Humphrey Bogart (complete with a Mexican accent that wouldn't convince a cow), whose interests are purely mercenary. Adding spice to the proceedings is Miriam Hopkins as a dance hall chanteusse-cum-Confederate spy. Better in individual components than sum total, Virginia City pleased the crowds in 1940, assuring that the Tasmanian-born Errol Flynn would continue appearing in westerns in the future. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 1 min.
Directed By: Michael Curtiz
Written By: Robert Buckner, Norman Reilly Raine, Howard Koch
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

On DVD: Aug 26, 2008

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A film Bogart would like to forget, as he's saddled with a bad Mexican accent portraying a bandit.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Average western with Flynn strong in the lead, Bogie terribly miscast in one of his last supporting roles, High Sierra and the Maltese Falcon were only a year away. Would have been better if it was a half hour shorter.

Cast

            Errol Flynn as Kerry Bradford

            Miriam Hopkins as Julia Hayne

            Randolph Scott as Vance Irby

            Humphrey Bogart as John Murrell

            Frank McHugh as Mr. Upjohn

            Alan Hale as Olaf "Moose" Swenson

            Philip Morris as Confederate Sentry

            Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as Marblehead

            John Litel as Marshall

            Douglas Dumbrille as Maj. Drewery

            Moroni Olsen as Dr. Cameron

            Russell Hicks as Armistead

            Dick Jones as Cobby

            Frank Wilcox as Union Soldier

            Russell Simpson as Gaylord

            Victor Kilian as Abraham Lincoln

            Charles B. Middleton as Jefferson Davis

            Trevor Bardette as Fanatic

            Ward Bond as Sgt. Sam McDaniel

            Lane Chandler as Soldier clerk

            Spencer Charters as Bartender

            Harry Cording as Scarecrow

            Paul Fix as Murrell's henchman

            Roy Gordon as Maj. Gen. Taylor

            Thurston Hall as Gen. Meade

            Charles Halton as Ralston

            Howard Hickman as Gen. Page

            William Hopper as Lieutenant

            Reed Howes as Sergeant

            Edward Keane as Officer

            Wilfred Lucas as Southerner

            Sam McDaniel as Sam

            Walter Miller as Sergeant

            Monte Montague as Stage driver

            Bud Osborne as Stage Driver

            Eddie Parker as Lieutenant

            George Regas as Half-breed

            Charles Trowbridge as Seddon

            Brandon Tynan as Trenholm

            Yakima Canutt as Stunts

            George Reeves as Telegrapher

            George Guhl as Bartender

            Tom Dugan as Spieler
See full cast