The Sons of Katie Elder

The Sons Of Katie Elder

The Duke and Henry Hathaway team up to produce another solid Western. Hathaway and Wayne's later effort; True Grit (1968), is the pairs' most popular film. But The Sons of Katie Elder is no dog. It tells the story of four brothers reunited at their mothers funeral. The brothers had drifted away from their mother and their old homestead. As they return, they discover that their mother was cheated out of her home. John Elder (John Wayne) is a gunslinger and elder Elder. He rallies the brothers Tom (Dean Martin), Bud (Michael Anderson Jr.), and Matt ( Earl Holliman). Wayne's swagger is in top form as he seeks vengeance.

Dennis Hopper and George Kennedy also put in good performances. Kennedy is a gunslinger hired to neutralize John Elder and Hopper plays the son of the evil, home stealing, Morgan Hastings.

The story moves along at a brisk pace but does not make it entirely clear if Katie Elder is the Kate Elder, the famous Tombstone (map) prostitute and companion of Doc Holliday. Regardless, plenty of action including the Duke wacking Kennedy in the puss with an ax handle make for a delightful and entertaining view.

Director: Henry Hathaway
Cast:
John Wayne ... John Elder
Dean Martin .... Tom Elder
Martha Hyer .... Mary Gordon
Michael Anderson Jr. .... Bud Elder
Earl Holliman .... Matt Elder
Jeremy Slate .... Deputy Ben Latta
James Gregory .... Morgan Hastings
Paul Fix .... Sheriff Billy Wilson
George Kennedy.... Curley
Dennis Hopper .... Dave Hastings
Sheldon Allman .... Judge Harry Evers
John Litel .... Minister
John Doucette .... Undertaker
James Westerfield .... the banker
Rhys Williams .... Charlie Bob Striker
Date: 1965 122 mins.
Theme Music: Elmer Bernstein