El Dorado

John Wayne and Robert Mitchum star in “El Dorado.”

Cole Thornton (John Wayne) is a professional gunman who comes to “El Dorado” for a job with rich landowner Bart  Jason (Ed Asner).  After arriving, Thornton discovers that his good friend, J.P. Harrah (Robert Mitchum), is the town sheriff.

Thornton gets an earful from Sheriff J.P. about the underhanded dealings of Bart Jason and the land war that he is waging against the MacDonald family.  After learning about the situation, Thornton decides to not take the job with Bart Jason which, as far as Bart Jason is concerned, makes him an enemy.

Now Thornton finds himself in a situation where he needs to help his sheriff friend and this isn’t easy because Sheriff J.P. has a drinking problem.  But, Thornton also manages to befriend a young knife thrower named “Mississippi” (James Caan) who offers his help too.

Billed as “The Big One, With the Big Two” the movie “El Dorado” is a great Howard Hawks western.

• “El Dorado” is based on a novel by Harry Brown named “The Stars in Their Courses.” However, Harry Brown did not want his book mentioned in the credits for the film because he felt that the film version bore little resemblance to his book.

• Howard Hawks, the director of “El Dorado,” also made two other western movies using the same theme.  They were “Rio Lobo” and “Rio Bravo.”

• Famous western artist, Olaf Wieghorst appears in “El Dorado” as the gunsmith, Swede Larsen.  You can find out more about him and his art at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum web site.  Click here to visit the Olaf Wieghorst Museum Foundation web site.

• The location scenes for “El Dorado” were filmed in Arizona.