You know, I've been really disgusted the crop of films in the past three years. More and more, I'm turning to premium movie channels that cater to older films for my main stream movie enjoyment.

I happened upon The Sons of Katie Elder by chance. I had heard of the film, but didn't really know much else about it. This is a 1965 Western with John Wayne, Dean Martin, Earl Holliman, George Kennedy, Dennis Hopper, and Strother Martin. That's impressive casting considering most of these guys weren't really big names at the time.

As the film starts, the sons are gathering for a funeral - Katie's. We never meet her. We only hear about her good works as the sons talk to local town folk about their mother's death and how she lost the family ranch.

The sons are not exactly little angels. They're either gun slinging, or gambling, or they want to be. The movie has a subtle redemption angle to it.

Like all Westerns, there's a heavy trying to take over the town. This is nicely played by James Gregory. Ultimately, this is a story of justice and redemption. This is a rather simplistic story, as many Westerns are. But when you stack this up against films like Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, it compared very well in terms of entertainment.

Jammed Pipe!

Film Facts

Cast
• John Wayne
• Dean Martin
• Martha Hyer
• Michael Anderson Jr.
• Earl Holliman
• Jeremy Slate
• James Gregory
• Paul Fix
• George Kennedy
• Dennis Hopper
• Sheldon Allman
• John Litel
• John Doucette
• James Westerfield
• Rhys Williams
• John Qualen
• Rodolfo Acosta
• Strother Martin
• Percy Helton
• Karl Swenson
• Glen Anderson
• Paul Whitson
• Jerry Gatlin
• Harvey Grant
• Loren Janes
• Boyd 'Red' Morgan
• Chuck Roberson
• Ralph Volkie
• Jack Williams
• Henry Wills
• Joe Yrigoyen

Directed by Henry Hathaway

Released in 1965

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Reviewed by Mongo