The Spoilers
(1942)
87 minutes
Directed by Ray Enright
Written by Rex Beach, Lawrence Hazard and Tom Reed
Produced by Frank Lloyd
Cinematography by Milton R. Krasner
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Action / Romance / Western
Cast:
Marlene Dietrich as Cherry Malotte
Randolph Scott as Alexander McNamara
John Wayne as Roy Glennister
Margaret Lindsay as Helen Chester
Harry Carey as Al Dextry
Richard Barthelmess as Bronco Kid Farrow
George Cleveland as Banty
Samuel S. Hinds as Judge Horace Stillman
Russell Simpson as Flapjack Sims
William Farnum as Wheaton
Marietta Canty as Idabelle
Jack Norton as Mr. Skinner
Ray Bennett as Clark
Forrest Taylor as Bennett
Art Miles as Deputy
Robert W. Service as the Poet (uncredited)
During the gold rush in Alaska in 1900, a group of greedy claim jumpers find the perfect scheme by ensuring the local gold commissioner, Alexander McNamara, and the local judge, Horace Stillman, are both in on the scheme. What they hadn’t counted on was crossing paths with the likes of Roy Glennister and his partner Al Dextry. When the claim jumpers try to take Roy and Al’s Midas mine, Roy still has faith in the system, and has a falling out with Al over it. However, it doesn’t take long for Roy to realize that the judge is on the take. Roy has an ace in the hole, as Stillman’s beautiful niece, Helen, has fallen for him and is working to help him. The situation turns grim when Roy and Al attempt to rob the local bank to get their gold back. Into this fracas stumbles the Bronco Kid, a man who loves the local saloon girl, Cherry, and who tries to kill Roy for moving in on his “territory”. The Kid’s plan goes awry, and he ends up killing the sheriff instead. However, due to his enemies, Roy is arrested for the crime. Can Roy get out of jail and get his mine back? Maybe with the help of Cherry he can!
Notes:
The Spoilers was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction in 1943.
The Spoilers is a classic Hollywood tale, one that has been told 5 times on the big screen. Versions have been produced in 1914, 1923, 1930, 1942, and 1956.
Gary Cooper played Roy Glennister in the 1930 version of The Spoilers. This is the only time that Gary Cooper and John Wayne both played the same role in two different films.
The Lawyer Wheaton is played by William Farnum, who played John Wayne’s role in the original 1914 version of The Spoilers.
Marlene Dietrich, Randolph Scott and John Wayne also starred together in the film Pittsburg (1942). Randolph Scott got billed above John Wayne in both films, although Wayne’s role was more important to the story.
This was the final film of Richard Barthelmess.
It took 15 cameras to film the climactic fight scene at the end of The Spoilers.
