The Wild And The Innocent

The Wild and the Innocent is a beautiful American romantic Western film that premiered in 1959 and was directed by Jack Sher. Acclaimed for its unique combination of Western action, cultivated romance, and heartwarming humor, the movie showcases the impeccable acting talents of Audie Murphy, Joanne Dru, and Gilbert Roland. Audie Murphy stars as the young, innocent mountain trapper, Charming Jones, while Joanne Dru embraces the role of the stunningly beautiful carnival runner, Marcy Howard. Gilbert Roland brings depth to the role of an intimidating gunslinger, Chip Coburn.

The story revolves around Audie Murphy’s character, Charming Jones, who has lived an isolated life trapping beavers in the Colorado mountains with his irascible Uncle Lije, played by Strother Martin, away from the tumult of the outside world. It's an honest and simple lifestyle that has kept him naïve to various aspects of society. His isolated universe is turned upside down when he is unexpectedly pushed into civilization to sell their seasonal cache of furs. But he’s not alone on this journey. Uncle Lije encourages Charming to find himself a wife during the trip – adding a delightful side mission to his primary task.

Joanne Dru, as Marcy Howard, is a beautiful, practiced woman who has spent her life traveling as a carnival runner and doing what she must to survive in the challenging environment of mid-1800s America. She's strong, independent, and wary of men, especially those she believes are trying to take advantage of her.

The film really takes flight when these two personalities— the naïve mountain boy and the hardened carnival worker—cross paths and develop an unlikely relationship. Their meeting and resultant journey is filled with challenging encounters, including frivolous misunderstandings which range from amusing to heartbreaking, thus making their relationship an engaging and intricate component of this movie.

The Wild and the Innocent is indeed beautifully crafted and paced. Each scene and every character interaction contribute to constructing the world, revealing the character’s depths, and pushing the story forward. The storytelling is buoyed by crisp dialogues, impeccable comedic timing, and an entertaining subplot involving a burlesque goat act, adding an unexpected layer of fun and intrigue to the mix.

Gilbert Roland is exceptional in his portrayal of the formidable, crafty outlaw Chip Coburn. His charisma adds shades of grey to the villainous character often depicted in classical Western movies. His role becomes crucial as the story progresses, adding elements of suspense and thrill to the film.

Featuring top-notch cinematography which lyrically captures the sprawling open ranges, lush green mountains, and the picturesque frontier towns of the mid-1800s, The Wild and the Innocent is a visual treat for audiences. The aesthetic aspects of the film work in harmony with its narrative, amplifying the setting's rustic charm and imposing wilderness, in line with the title.

The film also boasts an amazing soundtrack that accentuates the spirit of the narrative. It beautifully incorporates elements of Old West-style music, with lively banjo tunes and soulful melodies, enhancing the film's mood and atmosphere and further enriching the audience experience.

In essence, The Wild and the Innocent is a compelling watch, full of charm, humor, romance, and action. Its impressive performances, particularly those of Murphy, Dru, and Roland, coupled with its artful direction and captivating narrative, make it a memorable adventure into the vast Wild West. With its perfect balance between frontier ruggedness and innocent romance, The Wild and the Innocent stands as a classic, appealing to both Western and romance movie enthusiasts.