Ride the Pink Horse Robert Montgomery

Ride the Pink Horse, directed by and starring Robert Montgomery alongside Thomas Gomez, is a distinctly unforgettable film from the film noir era that explores deeply human themes.

Produced and released in 1947 by Universal Pictures, Ride the Pink Horse is an adaptation of Dorothy B. Hughes' suspenseful novel of the same name. The film weaves an intricate web of desperation, evasion, cunning, and dogged determination, presenting an arresting blend of classic noir elements with social characterization and anti-heroic endeavors.

In this movie, Robert Montgomery wears multiple hats – being the director, actor, and producer – and brings the character of Lucky Gagin to life beautifully. Gagin is an ex-GI and tough guy from Chicago who carries a chip on his shoulder and a well-kept secret in his heart. Guided by sprucely veiled motives and a quest for a purpose overshadowed by past events, Gagin ventures into New Mexico, stepping into the unfamiliar and chaotic world of a small border town during its annual Fiesta.

The story takes off when Gagin's path crosses with some disparate but interesting characters. There's Pila (Wanda Hendrix), a naive yet instinctive teenager with a sense of innocent foreboding who feels the need to protect him from anticipated harm. Another compelling character is Pancho (Thomas Gomez), the genial carousel operator, who forms an unlikely bond with the stoic Gagin. Gomez’s superb portrayal of Pancho earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor - a first for a Latino actor.

Montgomery’s Gagin eventually finds himself entangled with a dangerous and deceptive web of corruption, involving a ruthless crime boss and his entourage. The tension escalifies as Gagin is caught in a deadly cat and mouse game where he has to outwit his opponents, while navigating the local customs and complexities of the town.

Ride the Pink Horse is a noir film that subverts the common genre tropes of a urbanized setting, instead leaning into a semi-rural setting. While the small town brings with it charm and simplicity, the film doesn't shy away from revealing a darker, unseen side of the beloved Fiesta. Here, symbolism becomes potent, with the 'Pink Horse' of the title referring to a carousel ride, an embodiment of an idle, repetitive and deathly frustrating pursuit—an apt metaphor for Gagin's near-Sysiphian quest.

One of the alluring aspects of the movie is its stunning black-and-white cinematography by Russell Metty. The gritty visuals perfectly capture the sense of the character’s state of mind and the Fiesta's chaos. The use of various grading shades of dark and light build the suspense, highlighting the atmosphere and the sense of place with stunning visual eloquence.

On the directorial front, Robert Montgomery showcases commendable skill, delivering a gritty yet humane narrative. His valiant decision to cast himself in the lead role allowed him to render the complexity of his character excellently. Montgomery as Gagin is exceptional, delivering a nuanced performance that oscillates between tough, tenacious, and vulnerably human.

In a nutshell, Ride the Pink Horse is a unique cinematic journey that ventures beyond the traditional confines of the film noir genre. It presents a gripping narrative of an anti-heroic protagonist who finds himself caught in a non-traditional locale under pressing circumstances. The film provides a robust commentary on themes of survival, humanity, friendship, and even the socio-cultural mores of a small community. Enhanced by a captivating storyline, entrancing performances, and compelling cinematography, the film stands as a testament to Robert Montgomery’s finesse and dexterity as an actor, director, and producer. It's a film noir gem often overshadowed by more traditional entries in the genre, but one that definitely deserves more attention and recognition for its refreshing originality and captivating storyline.