Katharine Hepburn plays Lutie Brewton, a well-off young girl from St. Louis who falls in love with a cattle baron named Col. James Brewton (Spencer Tracy) then gets whisked off to New Mexico and his large ranch for their marriage.
But, in keeping with her father’s warnings, this will be no fairy tale match for the ages. Brewton is a tough man, determined to hang onto his land and drive off any homesteaders who dare settle nearby.
Lutie, isolated from other females on an all-male ranch, is more inclined to make friends with the farmers. The presence of Brice Chamberlain complicates matters. An attorney, he’s determined to wrest control of the land from Col. Brewton. He casts an eye in Mrs. Brewton’s direction, too.
She strays, but only after her hard-headed husband refuses to help her friends when they are in trouble. She has a son out of wedlock, too — with Chamberlain, no less. Brewton accepts the son; he’s always wanted a male heir, but sends Lutie off as a disgraced woman, without her children — Brock and his older sister, Sara Beth.
Eventually, the truth catches up with them. It seems everyone in Salt Forks knows that Brock Brewton is not Jim Brewton’s son. And the whispers get louder when Brock becomes a young man.
Review:
Wow, if you’re looking for a pick-me-up, this isn’t it. The persistent downbeat nature of the film makes the semi-happy ending seem almost out of place. It isn’t a Western packed with lots of action, either.
What is it? Probably a pretty accurate portrayal of how lonely the West could be for a young woman. And a fine showcase for the acting talent of Katharine Hepburn as a woman who makes a grand mistake and pays a grand price.
We also get strong performances from Edgar Buchanan as Jim Brewton’s cook and Harry Carey as the doctor who relays information to Lutie about her children once she leaves Salt Flats.
But as a Hepburn-Tracey vehicle … well, this probably won’t be your favorite. They were better back East, in more modern times.
Directed by:
Elia Kazan
Cast:
Spencer Tracy … Col. Jim Brewton
Katharine Hepburn … Lutie Brewton
Robert Walker … Brock Brewton
Melvyn Douglas … Brice Chamberlain
Phyllis Thaxter … Sara Beth Brewton
Edgar Buchanan … Jeff
Harry Carey … Doc Reid
Ruth Nelson … Selina Hall
James Bell … Sam Hall
Wiliam “Bill” Phillips … Banty
Robert Armstrong … Floyd McCurtin
Charles Trowbridge … George Cameron
Russell Hicks … Maj. Dell Harney
Runtime: 131 min.
Memorable lines:
Lutie’s father, as her marriage approaches: “I want your happiness. I just keep thinking one thing. Jim Brewton is alright. He’s great in the Salt Fork territory of New Mexico. And you’re alright in St. Louis, Missouri. But when I think of the two of you together, in either place …”
Jim Brewton, looking over his land with Lutie: “To me, it’s land the way God made it and wants it to stay. And I may be wrong, but I’ve got a hunch he wants me to help him keep it that way.”
Lutie: “This country — I’m sick to death of talking about this country. You really think it’s more important than the people in it.”
Jim Brewton: “Well, that depends on who the people are and what they’re up to.”
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