William Holden is David Harvey, a widower on the early frontier, trying to raise a son (Gary Gray) in the civilized manner he knows his late wife would have preferred.
He decides he’s not up to accomplishing the task on his own, so he heads to a nearby post where he purchases and marries a bond servant named Rachel (Loretta Young) for $18 and $4 owed.
Big Davey has assured the pastor he’ll be patient easing Rachel into her wifely duties; he isn’t ready for a new lover. And indeed he treats Rachel more as a servant than a wife.
As for young Davey, he has no interest in seeing his mother replaced. Or taking orders from someone his father bought.
Attitudes change when a longtime friend named Jim Fairways (Robert Mitchum) comes calling with his guitar, his songs and his smooth words.
A roaming frontiersman, he has gotten the urge to settle down. And he takes an immediate liking to Rachel. If only Big Davey would sell her.
Of course, the Harveys might soon have another worry.
Jim also brings news that the woods are full of signs that the Shawnee are stirring up trouble again.
William Holden as David Harvey, confronting his son with a math book used for other purposes in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Loretta Young as Rachel Harvey, trying to understand what’s expected of her in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Review:
Charming, delightful film helped along by strong performances by the three leads and from Gary Gray in the role of Big Davey’s son, who’d rather play with his dog pistol and use pages from his school books to create boats than take lessons from someone who isn’t his mom.
Poor Rachel is unprepared for the life into which she’s stepped. She can’t hit the broad side of a barn with a musket, she professes. She can’t even whistle the cabin’s in danger alert Big Davey and his son have come up with. Though young Davey sounds it on occasion when he suspects his dad might be getting too close to Rachel.
But Rachel sets about fixing that by practicing her shooting skills in the basement of the home when the Daveys aren’t around. And her shooting skills improve with a couple of tips from handsome Jim.
The film turned out to be a big hit for RKO, which released it quickly after Mitchum was arrested for possession of marijuana. He even got to sing five songs (written by the team of Roy Webb and Waldo Salt), which were recorded and released along with the film.
As for the boy who played young Davey, he was the son of a business manager who represented the likes of Jack Benny and Bert Wheeler. Gary Gray’s first big role came in another Western, “Return of the Bad Men,” starring Randolph Scott. He also played a featured part in “The Painted Hills” (1951) with the original Lassie before leaving acting and pursuing a career in the swimming pool business.
Robert Mitchum as Jim Fairways, wild and woodsy and dropping by the Harveys for his annual visit in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Gary Gray as young Davey, about to be scolded for not doing his lessons in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Directed by:
Norman Foster
Cast:
Loretta Young … Rachel Harvey
William Holden … David Harvey
Robert Mitchum … Jim Fairways
Gary Gray … Young Davey
Tom Tully … Parson Jackson
Sara Haden … Mrs. Jackson
Walter Baldin … Gallus
Frank Ferguson … Mr. Green
Regina Wallace … Mrs. Green
Frank Conlan … Jabez
Runtime: 80 min.
Songs (performed by Robert Mitchum)
Rachel
Tall, Dark Stranger
Foolish Pride
Summer Song
Oh He, Oh Hi, Oh Ho
Just Like Me
Tom Tully as Parson Jackson and Sara Haden as Mrs. Jackson, about to arrange a marriage in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
William Holden as David Harvey and Robert Mitchum as Jim Fairways, the latter getting his first glimpse of Rachel in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Memorable lines:
Pastor Jackson, after marrying Rachel and Big Davey: “I’ve seen love take seed in rockier ground than this. But sometimes it takes mighty tender cultivation.”
Rachel: “Don’t go talking to yourself. Even if he doesn’t say anything for months on end. Don’t go talking to yourself. Ain’t fittin’.”
Big Davey, rushing into the house after Young Davey has let out the cabin in danger whistle: “What’s the danger, Davey?”
Young Davey, sensing a growing fondness between his dad and Rachel: “You told me the cabin can be in danger in more ways than one, Pa?”
Young Davey, to Jim: “You mean we ain’t goin’ with ya?”
Jim: “Now, Young Davey, you wouldn’t want to grow up wild and woodsy like a weed, would you?”
Young Davey: “Weeds grow faster than flowers, and tougher too.”
William Holden as David Harvey, explaining his expectations for a wife in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Loretta Young, reminding herself not to talk to herself while she does the chores in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Robert Mitchum as Jim Fairways, after brawling with David Harvey over Rachel in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
William Holden as David Harvey trying to teach Rachel (Loretta Young) the cabin in danger whistle in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Gary Gray as young Davey, distressed that Rachel struggles to make the cabin in danger whistle in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Loretta Young as Rachel Harvey, spotting trouble in her first day at the Harvey home in Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
){kind=link}