Sunday 10 January 2010

Rooster Cogburn: Keepin’ the Faith …


You know, I’ve got to confess, I’ve got to confess, I didn’t realise Adrian and Kevin could talk so much, some time … !

Bless ’em!

And fascinating stuff it was to listen to, covering subjects as diverse as Nietzsche, role-playing-games, the Cabalistic Tree of Life, but just a touch distracting from the movie at hand.



Which I’ve got to admit was a bit of a first for Adrian and myself, as neither of us had actually seen a John Wayne film.

And if you hadn’t guessed it was Rooster Cogburn the 1975 sequel to True Grit, then I’d be very surprised.

I’m just wishing the three of us should have a quiet word with Allison, who’s copy of Rooster Cogburn we were watching, tonight.

I think we’d’ve possibly borrowed True Grit, first.

Not that it mattered: as far as we could tell, the only real connection between the too films is the central character.

The eponymous US Marshal Reuben ‘Rooster’ Cogburn: played by the Hollywood icon that is John Wayne.

And, according to the Wikipedia entry on Rooster Cogburn, it’s also the only film in which Wayne starred opposite Katherine Hepburn, as Miss Eula Goodnight.

Actually, can I make a confession, here?

As I mentioned, earlier, I’ve never actually seen a John Wayne, nor Katherine Hepburn, film, ’til tonight.

Shocking?

Maybe.

But it’s something that both Adrian and I were keen to remedy: Kevin, bless him, isn’t a big fan*.

Part of my motivation for Movie nights is as a way to have a cheap night in, with some good company. Catching an entertaining movie is almost a side bonus.

Which I’m thinking this is.

The film follows the hard-drinking Rooster, as he’s given the job of trying to reclaim some stolen nitroglycerine from the group of bank-robber’s who’ve hijacked it.

On the way, he’s landed with the devout Eula Goodnight and her Native American pupil, Wolf, who are both looking to avenge the deaths of their loved ones at the hands of the robbers.

With hilarious results …

Actually, was that just a touch flippant?

It was, a touch, wasn’t it?

Now, while I’m not a Western fan, I grew up in the 1970s and ’80s, where — with the dominance of Clint Eastwood films like High Plains Drifter and Pale Rider — I’ve always had the impression that the genre is a touch doomy and dark.

Which Rooster Cogburn isn’t.

As I think both me and Kevin agreed, it’s more of a romantic comedy or Odd Couple remake.

Can I make another confession, here?

I actually put this in the DVD player with fairly low expectations of Rooster Cogburn.

But I — at least — came away having been entertained.

At least entertained enough to want to check out True Grit.

I think Allison and I are going to be having a natter about that …





  • John Wayne: Rooster Cogburn.


  • Katharine Hepburn: Eula Goodnight.


  • Anthony Zerbe: Breed.


  • Richard Jordan: Hawk.


  • John McIntire: Judge Parker.


  • Richard Romancito: Wolf.









  • Allison is, I should add: I borrowed her copy to watch, tonight.

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