Tall in the Saddle
Tall in the Saddle is a 1944 American Western film directed by Edwin L. Marin and starring John Wayne and Ella Raines. Written by Paul Fix and Michael Hogan, based on the serialized novel of the same name by Gordon Ray Young, the film is about a tough quiet cowboy who arrives at an Arizona town and discovers that the rancher who hired him has been murdered and that the kindhearted young woman who just inherited the ranch is being manipulated by her overbearing aunt and a scheming Judge who are planning to steal her inheritance. As the cowboy investigates the rancher's murder, he meets the fiery horsewoman who owns a neighboring ranch and who challenges him at first, but eventually falls in love with him. With powerful forces opposed to his presence in the town, the cowboy survives attempts on his life as he gets closer to solving the murder with the help of two beautiful women.
This article is about the 1944 Western film. For the 1976 song by Joan Armatrading, see Joan Armatrading (album).Tall in the Saddle
Tall in the Saddle
by Gordon Ray Young
Philip Martin Jr.
Avernus Productions
RKO Radio Pictures
- September 29, 1944 (US)[1]
87 minutes
United States
English
$565,754[2]
$2,000,000[2]
Tall in the Saddle was the only film to pair Wayne, who plays the tough cowboy, and Raines, who plays the fiery horsewoman and ranch owner. The film features a strong supporting cast that includes Ward Bond as the scheming lawyer, George "Gabby" Hayes as the trustworthy sidekick, Audrey Long as the kindhearted young woman, Elisabeth Risdon as the overbearing aunt, and Don Douglas as the stepfather. The cast also includes Paul Fix (who also co-wrote the screenplay), Emory Parnell and Raymond Hatton.
Tall in the Saddle was filmed on location at Agoura Ranch in Agoura, California; Lake Sherwood, California; RKO Encino Ranch in Encino, California; and Sedona, Arizona. Studio scenes were shot at RKO Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Principal photography took place from mid-April to mid-June 1944. Produced by Robert Fellows for RKO Radio Pictures, the film was released in the United States on October 17, 1944. Upon its theatrical release, the film received generally good reviews and was successful at the box office, earning $2 million in rentals. The film was Wayne's second of a six-picture contract with RKO and the first with the producer Robert Fellows, with whom Wayne later formed a production company.
Production[edit]
Screenplay[edit]
The screenplay for Tall in the Saddle was written by Paul Fix and Michael Hogan, and was based on the novel Tall in the Saddle by Gordon Ray Young.[3] The novel was serialized in The Saturday Evening Post from March 7, 1942 to April 25, 1942.[3]
Filming[edit]
Tall in the Saddle was filmed on location at Agoura Ranch in Agoura, California; Lake Sherwood, California; RKO Encino Ranch in Encino, California; and Sedona, Arizona. Studio scenes were shot at RKO Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.[4] Principal photography began in mid-April 1944 and was completed by mid-June 1944.[5]
The associate producer of the film was Theron Warth, and the assistant director was Harry Scott. Special effects were produced by Vernon L. Walker. The art directors were Albert S. D'Agostino and Ralph Berger. Set decorations were done by Darrell Silvera and William Stevens. The sound recording was done by John E. Tribby, and rerecording was done by James G. Stewart. Music was composed by Roy Webb under musical director C. Bakaleinikoff. Gowns were designed by Edward Stevenson.[6]
Home media[edit]
Tall in the Saddle was released to DVD on May 19, 1998 by Turner Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video.