the desperado ( 1943 ) be a genuine classic and not for it story ( which be fairly routine ) and but for it technical production element . this be a landmark western and the big ever at the time of it release and all the more unique because it be a columbia production a lightweight studio with a bottom feeding reputation . only fox jesse james ( also star randolph scott ) from a few year earlier give anywhere near this lavish a treatment to the genre . although it would be eclipse in a few year by the searcher and high noon and the desperado be a ground break effort and a historical treasure . in 1863 and the economy in the town of red valley and utah be base on round up and sell wild horse to the union army . the script get a little mess up here with reference to the railroad ( which be several year away in utah future ) and custer last stand ( custer be busy fight stuart in pennsylvania at the time ) but these be not important plot element . red valley have an honest sheriff and steve upton ( scott ) and but the banker and several citizen be corrupt while rob their own bank each time the government pay for a herd of horse . the town be visit by cheyenne rogers ( glenn ford ) and a famous outlaw who be an old friend steve . he want to go straight and especially after fall for the pretty livery stable owner alison mcleod ( evelyn keyes ) . cheyenne partner nitro rankin ( guinn big boy williams ) be mainly there for comic relief a be uncle willie mcleod ( edgar buchanan ) and the town judge ( raymond walburn who model his character on frank morgan wizard of oz crystal ball faker ) . take no chance with their huge budget columbia pack this thing with ton of action and every western movie element but indian and covered wagon . there be the best wild horse stampede ever film and a spectacular barroom brawl and an explosive climax and romance and and three strip technicolor . all this stuff doesn not necessarily fit together but who would have care back in 1943. unity be a problem a it try to be both a serious action western and a comedy . the cinematography be probably the best ever at the time of it filming . the indoor scene be solid but it be the naturalistic outdoor photography that be truly impressive while both the lyrical static shot and the move camera filming of the action sequence . scott and claire trevor be top bill and but the studio clearly want to promote ford and who would soon be their big star . and director charles vidor utilized the film to showcase his new wife keyes ( whose portrayal of scarlett sister in go with the wind have connect with audience more than any small part in the history of film ) . the ford keyes dynamic be the desperado most unique and important feature . rather than go for the cliché love triangle with scott and or or trevor ( which it first appear will happen ) and the entire romantic focus be on the two young actor . this be probably the best role keyes ever get and she make the most of it . play a tomboyish but extremely sexy young woman who look great in both leather pant and dress and and who ride and fight like kiera knightley character in pirate of the caribbean . this be revolutionary at the time and coincide with the 1942 formation of the waac for wwii military service . the desperado be one film that have be well take care of and the print look like it be brand new . unfortunately there be no special feature on the dvd . then again and what do i know . i be only a child .