Cinema Smackdown 1: "Rio Bravo" vs. "El Dorado" Quiz

Answer: Cole Thornton, gunman for hire

While all four were John Wayne characters, Cole Thornton was the gunfighter that was first offered a job by a land baron to assist in a range war in "El Dorado". Taw Jackson was a rancher wrongly imprisoned and out for revenge in "The War Wagon", Cord McNalley was the character in "Rio Lobo", and Wil Anderson was the rancher looking for cowhands in "The Cowboys". In "Rio Bravo", Wayne's character John T. Chance was the sheriff of the Texas town of Rio Bravo as well as the Presidio County sheriff.

My Prediction and Pick: Obviously, both fighters have similar styles and weigh in pretty evenly (a slight age advantage going to Chance; Wayne was 51 when he filmed "Rio Bravo", 59 during "El Dorado"). However, I gotta go with Cole. Remember, this guy was shot not once, but twice in the film...by friends! And slugged several times...again by friends! Factor in the pounding he took from the 'Bad Guys' and the bullet that was near his spine (which caused the temporary paralysis of his gun hand at very inconvenient times throughout the film), and you've got one tough hombre that ain't going down. It'll go the distance, but I pick Thornton by decision; "El Dorado: 1, "Rio Bravo: 0

Answer: Borachon

Borachon (or Borrachon) is a Spanish slang word for drunk. I could never figure out if Dude was also a nickname, or Dean's 'real' first name in the film. It became evident, throughout the film, that Dude used to be an excellent gun-hand and deputy before he became the town drunk. J.P Harrah was Mitchum's drunken lawman character, also a highly respected gunman and peace officer before hitting the bottle, in "El Dorado".

My Prediction and Pick: I really wanted to go with Dean, mainly because I enjoy seeing him in semi-serious roles (while Mitchum could have done his part in his sleep and still be good). Both combatants played their 'drunk' scenes very effectively (years of personal experience, maybe?), and both cleaned up well after they finally eased up on the sauce. Each character also had his share of humorous lines (although I think Mitchum's were snappier and better written). Yet, given the choice, I know I would not want to face a surly Mitchum (or J.P.) if I wanted to keep my face or body intact (while I always got the impression Deano would rather buy a round of drinks and sing me a song). Also, that Jerry Lewis association doesn't exactly enhance Dean's 'street cred'. I'll take J.P. by TKO; "El Dorado: 2, "Rio Bravo": 0

Answer: Colorado and Mississippi

Ricky Nelson played Colorado, a hired gun, in "Rio Bravo. Colorado's main objective, during the first part of the film, was to mind his own business and not get involved in the escalating brouhaha. He soon changed his mind after his boss was killed and joined Chance and Dude against the bad guys. James Caan was Mississippi, a somewhat naive young man (completely unskilled with firearms, but pretty darn good with a throwing knife) who was just completing his mission to avenge the murder of his friend and mentor when he met Cole in "El Dorado".

My Prediction and Pick: On paper, Nelson's Colorado seems to be the obvious choice, as the character had a bit more 'style' and 'cool' than Mississippi, as well as being a far better gun-hand (Mississippi couldn't have hit an elephant from three feet). However, Caan was the much better actor, and the comedic timing and dialogue he displayed throughout the film should easily carry him through the round. Besides, this guy is going to grow up to be Sonny Corleone someday, and I'm not about to play with that kind of heat. Go with Mississippi on a unanimous decision; "El Dorado: 3, "Rio Bravo": 0

Answer: Angie Dickinson as Feathers in Rio Bravo

Angie played the role of Feathers, a stubborn young woman with a secret past and a talent for cards, in "Rio Bravo". Feathers was almost arrested by Chance for cheating during a card game, but it turned out he was mistaken and she was innocent. Sparks began to fly between the two shortly after. Charlene Holt played Maudie, the owner of the saloon, in "El Dorado". There was definitely some attraction between Maudie and J.P., but it was clear that she and Cole had some sort of past relationship, and she still had strong feelings toward him (at least until the end of the film).

My Prediction and Pick: Looks to me like "Rio Bravo" will be scoring its first point after this round, as I expect a Mike Tyson-like performance from Ms. Dickinson. Both ladies did a fine job in the acting department, but there is no question in my mind who is the champion in terms of sex appeal. Can you really expect a 'Maudie' to compete fairly with a 'Feathers'? It was reported that John Wayne was a bit nervous during their scenes together, because of their age difference (he was 51 and Angie was 26), but I have a feeling he would have been just as nervous if he had been 31. Besides, Angie was one of the honorary female members of the 'Rat Pack', and who am I to argue with Sinatra? Feathers takes the win with a quick KO; "El Dorado: 3, "Rio Bravo": 1

Answer: Stumpy

Walter Brennan's character was nicknamed Stumpy due to the limp he had in the film. His primary responsibility throughout the movie was to guard the jail and verbally torment it's lone prisoner (along with an occasional blow on the harmonica). Bull was quite a bit more mobile than Stumpy, but he was the primary jail-keeper as well. Bull's instrument of choice was his old horn (which, fortunately for the viewer, was used more for a warning signal than a musical instrument, given Bull's talents). Both Bull and Stumpy carried the majority of the sarcastic, 'tell-it-like-it-is' dialogue load in their respective films.

My Prediction and Pick: Both Brennan and Hunnicutt certainly had the acting chops (Brennan was a 3-time Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner, Hunnicutt was nominated once in the same category), and both made the most of their respective roles. Brennan certainly seems to have the stronger background in the division, but what I think will lead Hunnicutt to victory is the advantage of a fuller, more defined character and better dialogue. In my opinion, Bull had some of the best lines in the film, and his verbal sparring with the rest of the cast (especially Mississippi and J.P.) is still classic. I'm taking Bull by decision; "El Dorado": 4, "Rio Bravo": 1

Answer: Ed Asner

Ed Asner played Bart Jason, a greedy land baron, looking to start a range war over water rights. He tried to hire Cole Thornton as his primary gunman, but was turned down because of Cole's friendship with J.P. Nathan Burdette, a powerful and wealthy rancher, was played by John Russell. The other three choices all portrayed members of the MacDonald family, who owned the land Bart Jason wanted to take over (Johnny Crawford was also known for his role as Mark McCain in "The Rifleman").

My Prediction and Pick: This bout will be a bit tough to call, as neither character was all that 'bad', especially when compared to a few of the 'bad guys' in other Wayne films (such as Bruce Dern's memorable Asa Watts in "The Cowboys"). Both characters pretty much just talked tough and let their hired help do most of the dirty work. I have to give Nathan Burdette kudos though, for being smart enough to stay out of the jail and not having to hear Stumpy's wisecracks or harmonica playing. It also doesn't help the scoring when every time I see Bart Jason, I think of Lou Grant. I say it will be a split decision, with Nathan Burdette taking the win; "El Dorado: 4, "Rio Bravo" 2

Answer: Nelse McLeod

Nelse McLeod was the gunman who took the range war job Cole turned down in the beginning of the film. Joe Burdette (Nathan's brother) was the lucky one who was stuck in the jail (having been arrested by Chance for murder) and had to put up with Stumpy's wisecracks and harmonica playing. Alan Bourdillion Traherne was Mississippi's 'real' name.


My Prediction and Pick: My choice for this round is purely emotional and without logic (sorry Mr. Spock). Christopher George's McLeod is the obvious choice here, as he was the 'badder banana' due to his gunfighting skills, but 1): I loved Claude Akins in "The Devil's Brigade", and 2): I went to high school with Mr. Akins daughter Michele, and I had the opportunity to meet him after the graduation ceremony. A very nice man, and nothing at all like most of the characters he played in his career. I have to go with a Joe Burdette win by TKO; "El Dorado: 4, "Rio Bravo: 3

Answer: Joey MacDonald

Josephine 'Joey' MacDonald (Michele Carey) ambushed Cole in retaliation of the accidental shooting (by Cole) of her brother, Luke. Joey later apologized and became an ally (and a person of 'extreme interest' to Mississippi). Bond's character was a wagon master and an old friend of Chance. Wheeler tried to help Chance during the hostilities by offering the services of his men, but was turned down, as Chance did not want his friend to get involved.

My Predictions and Pick: As I mentioned before, Ward Bond is without question the veteran actor when matched up against Ms. Carey. However, in my opinion, Pat Wheeler's overall contribution to "Rio Bravo", while important, was not nearly as significant as Joey MacDonald's was to "El Dorado". Not only did she ambush the "Rugged Leading Man", she also tussled in the hay with the "Handsome Young Maverick Nicknamed After A State", brought food and soap to the "Broken-hearted Friend Turned Drunk" and the "The Crusty Old Sidekick", and played a major role in bringing down the "Boss Bad Guy". Veteran or not, I think Pat Wheeler is goin' down as well, and Joey will outpoint her opponent and take the win by unanimous decision; "El Dorado: 5, "Rio Bravo" 3

Answer: Gunsmith

In an attempt to find a gun that Mississippi can shoot with at least some degree of accuracy, Cole enlisted the help of his gunsmith friend, Swede Larson, who supplied Mississippi with a short-barrelled shotgun. An interesting side-note: The 'Old West' paintings that were shown during the opening credits of the film were actually painted by Wieghorst, who was also a prominent western artist in real life.

My Prediction and Pick: Personally, another tough call. I have to give the Swede a big thumbs-up for being able to properly (somewhat) arm Mississippi (which definitely put a bit more swagger in Caan's get-a-long), but the problem I see is Wieghorst's screen time. He was on film, what, maybe a minute? 50 seconds? On the other hand, Gonzalez's Carlos was a constant presence, whether he was under verbal assault by his wife, Consuela, or offering up advice to Chance regarding love and Feathers. Wieghorst's paintings were first-rate, but they aren't enough to carry him through the round. Expect Carlos to dodge and weave his way to victory by a split decision; "El Dorado: 5, "Rio Bravo: 4

Answer: James Caan recited poetry throughout the film.

The poem Mississippi quoted (which he credited to his dead friend Johnny Diamond) was actually written by Edgar Allan Poe. "Eldorado" was first published in 1849, at the same time as the California Gold Rush, and it is believed that the event was Poe's inspiration to write the poem.

My Prediction and Pick: I have absolutely no problem in admitting that the "My Rifle, My Pony, and Me" duet (with Brennan doing a decent job on background harmonica) is easily one of my favorite scenes in "Rio Bravo" (But hey, what's the deal with Colorado's pompadour hairstyle? I have a feeling the boys buckin' those broncs on the range didn't style their hair like that back in the 1880s). Just a very pretty song, no question about it. Still, it's up against Poe, and simply put, Poe is, well...Poe. "The Raven", "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", and the list goes on. Granted, the poem is recited by Caan, who is no Orson Welles, but who cares? It's still Poe! Another TKO win for "El Dorado"; Final Score: "El Dorado: 6, "Rio Bravo": 4

Thanks for playing, I hope you enjoyed tonight's contest. Also, please rate if you have the time.