Coming to DVD: Ramrod (1947), Early John Wayne

Great DVD news for Westerns fans: RAMROD (1947), a very good "Western noir" starring Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake, comes to DVD from Olive this November 16th.

Toby has some details at 50 Westerns From the 50s. Thanks to ClassicFlix for the preview of the DVD cover.

I reviewed RAMROD a couple of years ago. It's a very interesting film in the late '40s "psychological Western" style of other films such as PURSUED (1947) and BLOOD ON THE MOON (1948).

The movie is also of note for Don DeFore's sexy performance as McCrea's sidekick. I certainly saw DeFore -- perhaps best known for his TV roles on THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET and HAZEL -- in a whole new light after watching this movie. Caftan Woman also liked DeFore in RAMROD.

The supporting cast is sterling: Preston Foster, Donald Crisp, and Arleen Whelan, with Lloyd Bridges and Ray Teal in small roles. Andre de Toth directed.

Other Westerns coming to DVD from Olive on October 2nd: OVERLAND STAGE RAIDERS (1938), RED RIVER RANGE (1938), THREE TEXAS STEERS (1939), and NIGHT RIDERS (1939).

These entries in the THREE MESQUITEERS series, starring John Wayne, were directed by George Sherman.

THREE TEXAS STEERS is also of interest as it provided an early lead role for Carole Landis.