The Big Land (1957)

Alan Ladd plays Chad Morgan, an ex-Confederate soldier turned cattleman. He’s tired of killing and needs to get his beef to market.

So he convinces other Texas ranchers to join him in a cattle drive to Missouri, only to discover a corrupt buyer named Brog (Anthony Caruso) has cornered the market.

Instead of the expected $10 per head, Brog is willing to pay $1.50. Branded a traitor by the fellow ranchers Morgan rides off alone.

He isn’t alone for long. He finds a friend in architect Joe Jagger (Edmund O’Brien), who has a problem with booze and a problem finishing projects he starts as a result.

But a spell drying out and an encounter with Kansas wheat farmers gives Jagger a new idea: A rail spur to Kansas to transport Kansas wheat and cattle driven there from Texas.

What’s more, Jagger’s pretty sister Helen (Virginia Mayo) is engaged to a railroad man named Draper.

Morgan and Jagger sell Draper on the plan. Jagger and the farmers begin building the town that will be required for the rail spur.

But two questions remain. How will Brog respond to the potential loss of his beef market? And can Morgan convince those Texas ranchers to follow his North again?

Alan Ladd as Chad Morgan, catching his first glimpse of Helen Jagger in The Big Land (1957)

Virgina Mayo as Helen Jagger, hugging her brother and about to meet his business partner in The Big Land (1957)

Review:

A delightful Western with Ladd effectively slipping back into the persona of the reluctant gunman that served him so well in 1953’s “Shane.”

Director Gordon Douglas interjects some humor into the film — two youngsters who echo one another for instance (one played by Ladd’s son, David).

Fine performances by O’Brien as a reformed drunk and Mayo, looking especially lovely, help the film along.

Edmund O’Brien as Joe Jagger with a cattle buyer concerned for his safety in The Big Land (1957)

James Anderson as Bob Cole and Anthony Caruso as Brog checking into the new hotel in The Big Land (1957)

Directed by:
Gordon Douglas

Cast:
Alan Ladd … Chad Morgan
Edmund O’Brien … Joe Jagger
Virginia Mayo … Helen Jagger
Anthony Caruso … Brog
Don Kelly … Billy Tyler
Don Castle … Tom Draper
John Qualen … Swen Johnson
David Ladd … ‘Echo’ Johnson
Jake Wrather Jr. … Olaf Johnson
Julie Bishop … Kate Johnson
George J. Lewis … Dawson
James Anderson … Bob Cole
Charles Watts … Dick McCullough

Runtime: 92 min.

Song:
“I Leaned on a Man”
by Bonnie Lou Williams
dubbing Virginia Mayo

John Qualen as Swen Johnson, a leader among the Kansas wheat farmers in The Big Land (1957)

Julie Bishop as Kate Johnson, scared about her sons’ safety during a stampede in The Big Land (1957)

Memorable lines:

Joe Jagger: “In war, you’re supposed to kill.”
Chad Morgan: “Yeah, but I’ve had my fill. Seems like the war’s never over though.”

Joe Jagger, on the trail with Chad Morgan: “I’ve eaten so much rabbit, when I sleep at night I dream about carrots.”

Helen Jagger: “Mr. Morgan, just don’t count on me to help you sell him (her fiance on a railroad spur).”
Chad Morgan: “i wouldn’t count on you for anything.

Billy: “I use the Tyler brand so people will know my cattle. I’m gonna put the ‘t’ on you. For traitor!”

Don Castle as Tom Draper, sensing a growing closeness between Chad Morgan and Helen Jagger in The Big Land (1957)

Edmund O’Brien as Joe Jagger helping sister Helen (Virginia Mayo) get dressed in The Big Land (1957)

Anthony Caruso as Brog, the corrupt catle buyer in The Big Land (1957)

Edmund O’Brien as Joe Jagger shows off hotel plans to Echo (David Ladd) and Olaf (Jake Wrather Jr.) Johnson in The Big Land (1957)

Don Kelly as Billy Tyler, one of the cattleman who feel betrayed by Chad Morgan in The Big Land (1957)

Edmund O’Brien as Joe Jagger, facing a possible showdown with Brog in The Big Land (1957)

Virginia Mayo as Helen Jagger with Chad Morgan as he prepares to ride back to Texas in The Big Land (1957)

Alan Ladd as Chad Morgan with Virginia Mayo as Helen Jagger in The Big Land (1957)