Preston Foster plays John Oakhurst, a no-nonsense saloon owner who takes an orphaned baby girl under his wings after a rich vein of silver is struck the day she is born.
In fact, she’s named Luck and grows up dealing cards until civilization arrives in Poker Flat, in the form of pretty school teacher Helen Colby (Jean Muir) and the Rev. Sam Woods (Van Heflin).
Oakhurst takes one look at Helen and decides to grow at least a little more civilized himself, over the objections of his longtime partner, The Duchess (Margaret Irving).
When longtime enemy Sonoma challenges Oakhurst to a duel, he faces a tough choice. Continue being civilized and risk being branded a coward, or face Sonoma head on and risk losing the love of Helen. He does the latter and winds up exiled from Poker Flat as a result.
But when he’s forced to leave town, he’s surprised to find that Helen follows along. Oakhurst decides to strike out for another nearby mining camp. But before long, Helen, the Duchess and John Oakhurst are trapped in a mountain cabin in the middle of a blizzard.
Review:
Far superior to the 1950s remake, thanks to the love quadrangle between Helen, The Duchess, the Reverend and Oakhurst. This was just the second film for Heflin; he had made his movie debut a year earlier.
The character of Luck also adds to a delightful little film. She’s jealous of any attention Oakhurst pays to another female — well, at least Helen — and believes his desire to see her attend school has more to do with his desire to get closer to Helen.
The film dwells almost exclusively on what leads up to the characters’ plight when they’re trapped in a blizzard, rather than relying on the fact that they wind up trapped to provide the film’s drama.
There’s also a 1919 silent version of the same story.
Directed by:
Christy Cabanne
Cast:
Preston Foster … John Oakhurst
Jean Muir … Miss Helen Colby
Van Heflin … Rev. Sam Woods
Virginia Weidler … Luck
Margaret Irving … The Duchess
Frank Thomas … Mr. Redford
Si Jenks … Kentuck
Bradley Page … Sonoma
Monte Blue … Indian Jim
Dick Elliott … Stumpy Carter
Al St. John … Uncle Billy
Richard Lane … High-Grade
Billy Gilbert … Charlie
Dudley Clements …Wilkes
Runtime: 67 min.
Memorable lines:
The Duchess: “You mean to tell me you’re actually superstitious about this kid?”
Oakhurst: “Superstitious? I’m absolutely certain the stork that brought her lays golden eggs.”
Rev. Sam Woods, on planning a church service in Oakhurst’s saloon: “Helen, it’s sinners I’m after. And I can’t think of a better place to find them.”
Oakhurst: “You and your flock are making me the goat for a lot of things I can’t control. I didn’t invent these disorders; they’ve been happening for centuries. And if they weren’t happening, you’d be out of a job.”
Sonoma to Oakhurst: “I’ve got a lot of bad habits, but more often than not I keep my word.”
Duchess to Oakhurst: “She’s Woods’ kind. You’re my kind. And wherever you end up with her, there’ll be roulettes whirling in your head and cards tugging at your fingers.”
Helen to Oakhurst: “John, you spoiled a perfectly nice dream.”
Oakhurst: “It’s not the first one I’ve spoiled.”
Helen: “It’s funny. I’d rather have you spoil them than someone else make them come true.”
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