Tim Holt became known as a Western star for RKO but although this is set in the West it isn't really a Western. It's more a slice of life Americana, a genre popular at the time (The Magnificent Ambersons - which also starred Holt - was a darker example of the genre). It reminded me of something like Hound Dog Man or Pollyanna - lots of gentle observations about young people. The sort of thing that's always based on a "beloved" novel.
The central thrust of the plot revolves around farmer Holt being in love with Virginia Gilmore, whose English father (Miles Mander) doesn't approve. A lot of time is spent on Holt's younger sister Joan Carroll, who is very good. Gilmore isn't much - her character is a bit of a bitch. Miles Mander is fine as is Spring Byington. Peter Cushing - as in the horror star - pops up as Mander's estranged son, which gives the end of this a massive lift.
I've long been interested in the career of Tim Holt, who appeared in so many classics despite mostly making B Westerns. This isn't a classic - it's a nice enough thing, very light; it really needed a top flight director to add lots of touches and atmosphere to make it fly.
Holt is handsome and adequate; to be honest he's a little dull. He's not a star who leaps off the screen - he seems to be more of a leading man, the sort of guy to play opposite a vivacious female star, or to play someone's son. He doesn't have a personality that comes across - contrasted with, say, Carroll.
To be honest the film probably would've been better off had it totally focused on Joan Carroll - told everything from her point of view. (It does for a lot of it but then keeps popping away from her POV.) But he's fine - like the movie itself. I know I use that word a lot about this movie but I can't help it - it's "fine".
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