McLintock! (1963) User Reviews

"The Taming of the Shrew "Goes West!

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 19 October 2005]

"McClintock" is loosely based on William Skakespesre's "The Taming of the Shrew". It is not your usual John Wayne western (in fact he doesn't draw his six shooter even once), but is more of a broad comedy with a tip of the hat to John Ford.

This film was the first to be produced by Wayne's son Michael who had basically taken over the running of Wayne's production company Batjac. It also was the first major feature to be directed by Andrew V. McLaglen who had learned his trade as an assistant on previous Wayne features and on TV. He is also the son of former Wayne co-star Victor McLaglan.

The story is simple. G.W. McClintock (Wayne) is rough and tumble hard drinking rancher whose estranged wife of two years, Katherine (Maureen O'Hara) has returned to try to gain custody of their daughter Becky (Stephanie Powers). The conflict between the two forms the basis for the rest of the picture. Into the mix comes a widowed settler Mrs. Warren (Yvonne DeCarlo) and her son Devlin (Patrick Wayne) who becomes enamored of Becky. The chemistry between Wayne and O'Hara makes this film go. The big gruff Wayne vs. the fiery Irish redhead provides much of the humor of the piece.

The scene for which this film is probably best remembered is the fight at the top of a mud slide Most of the combatants, including the two stars wind up going down the slide into a pool of mud below. And then there's the climatic chase through the streets.

The film features most of the members of the John Wayne stock company. Chill Wills plays Wayne's foreman Drago, Bruce Cabot as a rival rancher, Hank Worden as "Curley", Ed Faulkner as Cabot's son, Chuck Roberson as the Sheriff and Bob Steele as a train engineer.

Other familiar faces include Jack Kruschen as storekeeper Jake Birnbaum, Jerry Van Dyke as Junior a rival suitor for Becky, Perry Lopez as Davey Elk an educated Indian, Strother Martin as Agard the Indian agent, Gordon Jones as Douglas, McClintock's longtime nemesis, Robert Lowery as the governor, Michael Pate as Puma the Commanche chief, Marie Blanchard as saloon girl Camille and Leo Gordon as the settler who is the first to go down the famous mud slide.

A little devoid of action (there are no gunfights or saloon brawls), McClintock remains one of Wayne's most popular films.

The Paramount DVD release is billed as the "Authentic" Collector's Edition. Some years ago, the film somehow fell into the public domain and an inferior version of the film has been floating about the bargain bins as a result. This release however, restores the film to its widescreen aspect ratio as well as, showing its rich and vibrant colors. There is also interviews with the ageless Maureen O'Hara (still looking as beautiful as ever in her 80s) and Stephanie Powers who looks better now than she did in the film. Leonard Maltin hosts the various segments and provides a feature length commentary along with film historian Frank Thompson, O'Hara, Powers and Michael Pate.

Great fun.

A great John Wayne film

[grahamsj3 · 8/10 · 28 January 2003]

This is film-making at it's best! Superbly cast and acted, John Wayne stars with Maureen O'Hara, Patrick Wayne, Chill Wills and Strother Martin in a western with a twist of humor. There's some drama and enough action to keep the viewer's interest, but this film contains some hilarious scenes, particularly between O'Hara and Wayne. Those two have worked together (superbly!) before and it shows. Their interaction is perfect and the results provide some real comic relief! This isn't one of Wayne's old "oaters", but a wonderfully written and executed film. Don't miss this film - it's one of the greats!

typical Big John Wayne

[didi-5 · 7/10 · 9 February 2005]

Directed by Andrew MacLaglan, this rip-roaring John Wayne-Maureen O'Hara comedy lets them do what they did best.

Wayne plays George Washington McLintock, a brawler and he-man in typical Western setting. O'Hara plays his feisty wife and Stefanie Powers their bratty daughter, Becky. Patrick Wayne, son of Big John, plays Becky's intended, a young man who looks like he'll wind up just like her pa.

'McLintock' is fast, furious, and funny. About as far from PC as you can get, this Western take on The Taming of the Shrew is bawdy and boisterous, and the casting is perfect. John Wayne was a man's man in the 'gotta do what he has to do' mould and this role was perfect. O'Hara - his best co-star - is also superb.

The Duke At His Best

[jhclues · 9/10 · 14 May 2001]

This is the Duke at his two-fisted, brawling best, along with Maureen O'Hara, who lights up the screen, in `McLintock!' a rousing western/comedy directed by Andrew W. McLaglen. John Wayne is George Washington McLintock, cattle baron and owner of just about everything around for as far as the eye can see. He owns cattle, mines and lumber, and even the town is named after him. And he's a fair man and a good employer to boot, who pays a fair wage for a good day's work. He even hires a young man, Devlin Warren (Patrick Wayne), who has come in with a group of homesteaders who have been given land by the government and plan to farm the Mesa Verde, even though, as McLintock warns them, it's impossible to farm at 6000 feet above sea level. In the meantime, young Devlin has to support his mother, Louise (Yvonne De Carlo) and his sister, Alice (Aissa Wayne). So G.W. even hires Louise to be the cook for his outfit. McLintock is The Man in these parts, and he earns the respect he is accorded by most of the good citizens of the territory. But he has one problem, and it's a big one; and it comes in quite a package: His estranged wife, Katherine (O'Hara), who has just come back to town to settle a certain issue with her husband. And the fireworks begin the minute she steps off the train.

The main bone of contention has to do with their daughter, Becky (Stefanie Powers), who will be returning home from college soon. Katherine wants to take her east to live; G.W. in having none of it. And shades of `Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,' that's his final answer. The real rub is that G.W. still loves Katherine, and he still doesn't know what put the burr in her saddle and caused her to leave him two years earlier. It's also obvious that Katherine still loves G.W., but she apparently can't get past whatever it was that caused the split in the first place. But her eyes sparkle whenever Drago (Chill Wills), G.W.'s right hand man, brings up the `good ol' days,' and she's reminded of when they started out with nothing but each other and a lot of love and courage.

There's a touch of `Taming of the Shrew,' in this story, and near the end Wayne and O'Hara virtually reenact one of their own scenes from `The Quiet Man,' all of which adds up to a couple of hours worth of good, old fashioned fun. This movie never pretends or aspires to be anything other than what it is, which is good, wholesome entertainment that features some memorable characters, lots of humor and some classic lines. The Duke is trim and healthy and never swaggered better, and O'Hara, in a green dress against which her gorgeous red hair absolutely glows, makes you wonder if there's ever been a more beautiful actress ever to grace the silver screen. And the two of them have a chemistry together that ranks right up there with the best pairings the movies ever had to offer. The Duke may be in command, but he certainly has his hands full with that fighting Irish wildcat, O'Hara. Together, they've created some moments on screen that will live forever.

Adding to the merriment is an all-star supporting cast that includes Jerry Van Dyke (Matt, Jr.), Hank Worden (Curly), Bruce Cabot (Ben), Jack Kruschen (Jake), Edgar Buchanan (Bunny), Perry Lopez (Davey Elk), Michael Pate (Puma), Strother Martin (Agard), Gordon Jones (Douglas), Robert Lowery (Governor Humphrey), H.W. Gim (Ching), Edward Faulkner (Young Ben), Chuck Roberson (Sheriff), Mari Blanchard (Camille), Leo Gordon (Jones), Bob Steele (Train Engineer) and Big John Hamilton (Fauntleroy). McLaglen sets the pace and keeps this vintage Wayne/O'Hara vehicle right on task, which makes `McLintock!' a classic in it's own right. It's a timeless film that captures the attitude and freedom of a time gone by that simply does not exist anymore in this, our `advanced' era of political correctness, which often stifles the very freedom it espouses. And watching this movie, it makes you wonder about the `progress' we've made in the past thirty years or so. As far as movies go, this one is magic, and it proves that they just don't make ‘em like they used to. I rate this one 9/10.

Yes, Mrs. McLintock! Indeed, Mrs. McLintock! Of course, Mrs. McLintock!

[amvaquer · 24 June 2003]

I've always been a John Wayne fan and a fan of this movie in particular. When it came out in 1963, there was a television special on the making of "McLintock!" that showed the filming of the famous muddy fight sequence. That got me wanting to see this film even more.

In today's "politically correct" atmosphere, the spanking scenes would seem to some as barbarian. But it was played as broad comedy and remains broad comedy. Maureen O'Hara gave (verbally) as she got.

40 years ago, during the telecast of JFK's funeral, the flag-draped casket and caisson were shown passing by a movie theater. On the marquee: "McLintock!"

McLINTOCK! (Andrew V. McLaglen, 1963) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 21 May 2006]

Lively star Western vehicle in comedy vein, patterned after NORTH TO ALASKA (1960) and with a "Taming Of The Shrew"-like plot that recalls THE QUIET MAN (1952; with the same leads) – both of which, incidentally, I haven't watched in a long time!

As John Wayne grew older, his films settled into being safe and unassuming family fare – which this one certainly is, making it undeniably the least of the Batjac films released on DVD so far! Through all these films, he managed to surround himself with reliable talent on both sides of the camera – many of whom were already a part of "The John Wayne Stock Company". The script by James Edward Grant, Wayne's favorite writer, provides plenty of amusing situations which are gleefully met by the cast (particularly Chill Wills, Jack Kruschen and Strother Martin) – including a free-for-all in the mud, a fist-fight during a town celebration, a drunken encounter with a flight of stairs and the come-uppance of both female members (Maureen O' Hara and Stefanie Powers) of the McLintock family at the hands of the Waynes (father John and son Patrick respectively) – though the ponderous subplot involving the Comanches' last stand (headed by Michael Pate) feels somewhat incongruous alongside the brawling and the slapstick and should, perhaps, have been dropped altogether.

The supplements are of a similarly high quality as the rest of the Paramount "Batjac" releases: the Audio Commentary here is especially engaging for the way it places the film in the context of both Wayne's career and the revisionist attitude the Western genre would go through immediately afterwards; interestingly, as was the case with HONDO (1953), it's also mentioned that John Ford was asked to direct some sequences when the films' respective director became indisposed! Incidentally, I'll be watching the similarly boisterous DONOVAN'S REEF (1963) soon – a film that has eluded me all these years despite being a perennial on Italian TV! – and which proved to be the last of the innumerable collaborations between Wayne and Ford...

The Duke's Most Personal Film

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 6 October 2006]

Whatever you think of John Wayne's politics, they were never better expressed more convincingly or with more entertainment than they are in McLintock. At first glance this film is a rough house western version of The Taming of the Shrew. But it is far more than that, it is the closest thing we have to a film manifesto of the world as John Wayne saw it.

As G.W. McLintock, the Duke is the American dream personified. The man who came west and by dint of his own sweat and labor built a cattle empire. He did it without the government's help and note how he tells the settlers the government doesn't 'give' anything away. One of the three people identified as villains in his world view is land agent Gordon Jones. He's a liberal in McLintock, peddling the view that government help is the answer to all of our problems.

McLintock rather broadly satirizes other people who Wayne considers liberals. The know-it-all college kid Jerry Van Dyke, the tanglefooted bureaucrat Indian agent Strother Martin, the oily politician Robert Lowery these people get quite a going over.

Wayne doesn't 'give' anybody anything. As he says to son Patrick Wayne in my favorite line in all John Wayne movies, "I don't give jobs, I hire men." That's a creed he followed in real life as well.

Sad to say though the world isn't as simple as McLintock would have us believe. McLintock takes place in the age of the robber barons and those folks were not as noble in character as G.W. McLintock. Maybe the world ought to be like it is in McLintock, but it ain't.

McLintock is one grand piece of entertainment though. The comedy is as broad and unsophisticated as you would find in any John Ford film and with good reason as Wayne and Director Andrew McLaglen learned the movie trade from him.

In addition to dealing with the assorted 'liberals' mentioned above, the Duke has some domestic concerns. Wife Maureen O'Hara has left him, but is back over where their daughter Stefanie Powers will reside. Maureen is playing the same role she did in Rio Grande and later on in Big Jake, the estranged wife who circumstances force her back with Wayne. In the case of McLintock though these are circumstances that Wayne makes on his own with some inspiration from The Taming of the Shrew.

The cast is populated with a grand cast of regulars from previous Wayne films like Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, Hank Worden, Leo Gordon, Michael Pate, and some already mentioned.

Jack Kruschen makes his one and only film appearance in a Wayne film here. He does very well as the kindly, benevolent and obviously Jewish storekeeper. He's got an important function also here, as another self made American success story in the same film.

Yvonne DeCarlo got cast in this film after her husband who was a stunt man was injured badly on another film. She had heavy duty medical expenses and Wayne was not about charity. But he was legendary for taking care of fellow performers giving them a pay day in his films if they needed it. He didn't give jobs, he hired men and women. Yvonne is Pat Wayne's mother in the film who Maureen suspects of being Wayne's mistress when she's hired as a housekeeper.

We also get an economics lecture from the Duke as well. He works for "every man who goes to a butcher shop and wants a T-Bone steak." And Pat Wayne works for him. It's what makes the capitalist system go.

If you take some of the politics expressed with a critical eye, McLintock is fabulous entertainment, one of the Duke's best films.

A Merry Mudbath

[slokes · 6/10 · 14 August 2007]

This is the cowboy movie where John Wayne speaks forcefully on behalf of the Comanches, and tells his daughter he'd rather give his land to the government "so no one will kill the beaver for hats or murder the buffalo for rope." He also gets plenty of mud on that most American of icons, himself.

All he needs is a McGovern button and he's be Billy Jack, right? Maybe not, but this is a very different kind of star vehicle for Wayne, in 1963 kicking back in his third full decade of screen stardom. Here, aided and abetted by director Andrew V. McLaglen and Maureen O'Hara playing his wife, Wayne gives his comedic side a thorough airing as G.W. McLintock, rancher and head citizen of the town of McLintock, Arizona, circa the 1870s, who must deal with changing times and a wife who doesn't understand him.

"What's 'reactionary' mean?" asks McLintock's right-hand man, Drago (Chill Wills).

"Me, I guess," McLintock replies.

"McLintock!" is knocked by some for its sexual politics, a variation on Shakespeare's "Taming Of The Shrew" where McLintock must take a hand to his wife Katherine (don't call her Kate) in order to win her back. Let it be said that O'Hara makes a great shrew, and as Leonard Maltin and Frank Thompson point out in their engaging DVD commentary, everything here is played too broadly to take at all seriously.

O'Hara sells the movie as much as Wayne. She was in her element playing broad comedy, and clearly relishes the chance to reteam with her "Quiet Man" co-star in a more farcical vein. McLaglen also worked on "The Quiet Man" as assistant director to John Ford, and if anything seems bent on a film more Fordian than Ford himself. Let it be said McLaglen, here and in other films, got very good ensemble work from his cast and created some extremely fun fight sequences. Here in "McLintock!, there's a huge, well-staged and -sustained brawl early on in a mudhole. Even O'Hara takes part, putting her hatpin on assorted cowboy keisters with an insane grin.

Nothing about "McLintock!" really bears up to scrutiny. Screenwriter James Edward Grant gives us many memorable lines, but no real story to hang your Stetson on, except Katherine and G.W.'s battle of wills. Some mention is made of homesteaders coming to McLintock, though that plot is quickly dropped unresolved. Later, the Comanches come, peaceful and batted around by an uncaring government, but other than giving Wayne some time in the spotlight to speak on their behalf, they come and go too fast to make an impression.

Impressions are made by a number of "McLintock's" supporting cast. Yvonne De Carlo has fun playing the mother of a full-grown son (Patrick Wayne, Duke's son) who G.W. hires as cook, sparking further rage from Katherine. Strother Martin amusingly suffers from failure to communicate as a ninny Indian agent, while Jerry Van Dyke shows off some of the goofiest dance moves west of the Pecos. Stefanie Powers, as the McLintock daughter, gets more mileage from her part than did most Wayne-movie ingénues. "Shoot him, Daddy!" is a hard line to sell for a laugh, but she does it.

There are other aspects of the film that bog it down, particularly a subplot involving a Chinese cook and some tinny line readings throughout, many by Patrick Wayne, the cast's weak link (though he does a good fight scene, very important in this film). The best thing you can say about the groaner moments of "McLintock!" is that they are soon over, to be replaced by something fun.

Something fun is what "McLintock!" gives you in the end, not profound or even that clever, but satisfying. It's not Wayne's finest hour, just one of his more pleasant.

Recipe: Part Horse Opera, Part Horace Greely, Part Mack Sennett, 1 Funny Bone. Simmer 2 Hours. Drain False Pretensions. Have Served by Director with Fine Cast.

[redryan64 · 8/10 · 13 December 2007]

The Tales of the American West and the Western Film are two inseparable American Cultural Institutions. They are highly visible and closely related to each other. Both are exaggerated and distorted versions of American History. Whatever the images we harbor in the deep recesses of our widdle heads, they are colored by people like Zane Gray, Louis Lamour, William S. Hart and John Ford.

Then of course, we have so many types of western film as we have other kinds of genres of stories. So some films are historically correct, some are strictly fairy tale material. So we even have Western Farce, a subject well represented by today's 'victim', the John Wayne starring vehicle, McLINTOCK (Batjac Productions/United Artists, 1963).

Being an original screenplay, the story is a custom fit for the Duke, whose Batjac Productions made the picture and released it through United Artists. Long on characters and characterizations, the picture uses the slimmest plot as just a reason for presenting political postulates and providing its audience with many a reason to laugh.

OUR STORY………..It is to be a Great Celebration of the 4th of July in the Western Town of McLintock. Having been named after its local patriarch, the Multi-millionaire Rancher/Farmer/Miner, one George Washington McLintock (the Duke), the town and its people have prospered.

Added to the mix we have the return from College "back East" of G.W.'s daughter, Becky McLintock (Stephanie Powers-Woo, woo, woo, woo!). Her affections were being sought after by College Boy and Glee Club Varsity Letterman, Matt Douglas, Jr. (Jerry Van Dyke), the son of U.S. Government Agent, Matt Douglas (Gordon Jones). Jerry Van Dyke does as fine a job as ever in doing comic relief. He gives a Stan Laurelesque interpretation to his character.* The biggest development in the whole chain of happenings is the return of G.W.'s estranged firebrand of a wife, Katherine Gilhooley McLintock (Maureen O'Hara), who has a real love-hate relationship with G.W. The climax of the film has an open air domestic "quarrel" that takes Mrs. Mc down the streets of the town, clad in (strictly non-revealing) foundation under-garments, with G.W. in pursuit, ah, it's true love! Many who have viewed both films agree that this was a sort of obvious attempt to recreate the high spot in John Ford's THE QUIET MAN (Argosy Pictures/Republic Pictures Corporation, 1952), in which both the Duke and Maureen O'Hara also coincidentally were the belligerents.

In the viewing of McLINTOCK!, we witness a real hybrid of a production. As we have mentioned before, we have a particular sort of Horse Opera here. It is a true farce. Unlike Mel Brooks' BLAZING SADDLES (Crossbow Productions/ Warner Brothers, 1974), which was a spoof of the Western, the John Wayne film was a farce, all the way. If anything, we can describe it as a sort of "latter day" or modern, if you will, Mack Sennett Comedy. And it is with confidence we offer this thesis, for it seems to have all the same elements; namely, a central hero having some unusual difficulties, family troubles, bad business conditions and high expectations of his ability to weather the "storm." In the process of getting through the 2 hours, the Duke manages to instruct us on what his ideas were on the way things are and should be.

If you notice, any Governmental Representative is seen with a dim view, not only of his intent, but also of the underlying intent and outright necessity of whatever their function is. He is obviously a Conservative, a believer in self help. His is truly a far cry from the Cradle to Grave, creeping socialism that we see so much today.

One thing we do know about Mr. Marion Michael Morrison was his generosity and his loyalty toward his friends, both old and new. In McLINTOCK! We had a film that could have gotten by with a much smaller cast. But if they did that, so many of Mr. Wayne's friends wouldn't have a pay day. Subsequently we have people like the Director Andrew V. McLaglen (Victor's son) and a host of actors such as: Patrick Wayne, Stephanie Powers, Jack Kruschen, Chill Wills, Yvonne De Carlo, Jerry Van Dyke, Edgar Buchanan, Bruce Cabot, Perry Lopez, Strother Martin, Gordon Jones, Robert Lowery, Hank Worden, Michael Pate, Leo Gordon, Bob Steele and many others.

Whatever the classification, McLINTOCK! is worth taking in. It's never dull, and certainly won't be hard to watch, that's for sure. And we dare you not to have your full share of laughs before it's over!

Fun and Outrageous Slapstick Western only missing a good catfight.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 18 May 2013]

The thought of former swashbuckling leading ladies Maureen O'Hara and Yvonne De Carlo duking it out over "Duke" John Wayne comes out a disappointment in this otherwise enjoyable comedy. Separated for two years, fighting married couple Wayne and O'Hara are reunited in his small rural community when their daughter (Stefanie Powers) comes home. The Duke's real-life son, Patrick Wayne, plays cook De Carlo's son, and falls for the fiery Powers, resulting in a two-generation battle of the sexes with more than a passing resemblance to "Taming of the Shrew".

There's also an Indian raid, a group fight with men sliding down into a mud pit (ultimately joined by the perfectly clad O'Hara), drunken attempts for Wayne and De Carlo to get up the Tara-like staircase, and a slapstick finale where O'Hara, showing off a still lovely figure after being stripped (or ripped) down to her bodice, tries to escape from her husband while ensued by the entire town. This being De Carlo's only film with Wayne, I longed to see more of her, but this is more than just the "guest appearance" she is billed with, given half a dozen major scenes and some good verbal spars with O'Hara that give the impression that the two will end up buddies, especially since it appears that they are going to end up related anyway.

Wayne always succeeded in comedy, especially in spoofing his western tough guy image, and he's very funny here. He also adds compassion for the Native American tribe fighting relocation to a reservation. O'Hara's a bit tougher here and overly hot-tempered, a bit quick to assume the worst about her dipsomaniac husband. But once she finds out the truth, she silently mutters an apologetic "oops" and becomes quite likable. Such professionals as Edgar Buchannan, Chill Wills and Jack Kruschen offer fine support, with "B" movie actress Mari Blanchard memorable in a tiny part as an obvious madame. (Interesting to note that I initially confused her for De Carlo, so imagine my surprise when she actually did show up as the younger Wayne's mama.) There's also a very funny sequence involving a rodeo contest with men racing on horses while having (in some of the cases) a year-old egg in their mouth. This results in an amusing scene where a pretentious politician named "Cuthbert" (Robert Lowery) really does end up with egg on his face.

Waynes credo?

[kenedwards5 · 2/10 · 17 February 2011]

This movie is greatly beloved by John Wayne fans and is said to contain his personal credo of what an all-American man should be. This includes being boorish and crude, having an alcohol problem and being always ready to settle things with your fists. And, of course, being ready to humiliate your wife in front of the townsfolk and end up by beating her publicly with a metal implement. Of course, some of these elements were dormant in the other Wayne / O'Hara vehicle, 'The Quiet Man', but there, due to the genius of John Ford, they were submerged in the general charm of the picture. Here, however, under a director with plenty of Ford's failings but little of his genius, they are rammed home with all the subtlety of a sledge hammer. There is a lot of slapstick humour here but it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth. One ends up feeling it is Wayne not O'Hara who needs the thrashing.

John Wayne's GREAT Western Comedy

[Bob-45 · 9/10 · 18 November 2004]

Since its opening in 1963, I'd had seen 'McLintock!' four or five times over the years. I'd always considered it a fun, albeit chauvinistic western 'battle of the sexes.' Only after viewing it again after the recent 'loosening of the grips' of the Wayne family estate, did I come to realize its greatness. All great westerns have great themes, and 'McLintock!' is no exception. 'McLintock!' is about forgiveness, the forgiveness that comes with letting go of the animosities of the past and acceptance of those things in the present that will only with time and understanding.

WARNING: SPOILERS

It's Wayne's most lyrical movie as well as his funniest. Wayne plays George Washington McLintock (GW to his wife and friends), the wealthiest rancher on the Mesa Verde. GW is roughly 50 and the changes in him over those fifty years reflects the coming of civilization to the Mesa Verde in particular and to the west in general. GW has become wise to ways of human nature, and, thus, more prepared for the changes which are beyond his control. But GW is a tormented man; for his wife Kathryn (Maureen O'Hara) has left him. So GW spends each and every night getting drunk and whoring, ending up every night tossing his two pound Stetson onto to the weather vane on his roof. This is the first real clue there is something going in 'McClintock' beside the standard story. If GW is happy drinking and whoring, why does he return home EVERY night to sleep in an empty bed, marking his lonely days by each Stetson on that weather vane?

GW and his foreman, Drago (Chill Wills) arrives in the town named after McLintock and run into Bunny, an old half-breed drunk. GW, an easy touch, orders Drago to give Bunny a dollar for a drink, which Drago does reluctantly. GW and Drago enter the Jake Birnbaum's General Store. There GW finds out that Kathryn is visiting town awaiting the return of their only child, Becky, from college. GW learns this by a telegram given to him by Jaime, Birnbaum's Indian assistant. These scenes establish the history of a close relationship between GW, Jake and Jaime, a long relationship unmarked by prejudice, since Jake's a Jew and Jaime's a young Indian. Knowing that Kathryn must be staying in the town's only hotel, GW goes there, running into his favorite whore, Camille (Mari Blanchard) in the process. When GW finally confronts Kathryn in her room, Kathryn is pretentious and downright hostile. GW can barely keep his hands off her, clumsily trying to show Kathryn how much he loves her. However, both Kathryn and the audience know GW is an adulterer, and it is only Wayne's persona, O'Hara's gifted obnoxiousness and the preceeding scenes establishing GW's basic decency which allow us to sympathize with him. We don't dislike Kathryn for her treatment of GW, we dislike Kathryn for her treatment of everyone else. This makes it possible for us to root for GW in his pursuit of reconciliation with Kathryn.

The turning point of the movie for GW and Kathryn actually comes early. I call it the 'Queens in Danger' scene. After Kathryn moves back to the ranch and gives GW an especially bad time, GW goes into town to get drunk and 'see' Camille. Suddenly, GW changes his mind, remembering his buddy Jake's last chess move (GW and Jake play chess as frequently as possible). When Camille's asks where GW is going, GW remarks 'Queen's in danger.' On the surface, he simply appears to be pondering a chess strategy. Actually, the 'queen' to which GW is referring is Kathryn. One slip up with Camille, and GW can forget ever getting Kathryn back. After this episode, it's only a matter of time (and some VERY funny situations) before GW will regain his 'Queen'.

The extended 'chase' of Kathryn by at the end of the movie has always bothered me for its apparent chauvinism. However, in addition to being an homage to 'The Quiet Man,' this 'chase' represents GW and Kathryn finally coming to terms with their feelings for each other. Kathryn had a legitimate gripe against GW's infidelity even when it becomes apparent Kathryn herself has been unfaithful and GW knows it. However, Kathryn has been cruel to EVERYBODY. Finally, her cutting remark to GW after he has failed to sway the governor regarding the plight of the Indians was too much. Kathryn herself could have done more, but she had done nothing. Kathryn had been itching for a confrontation with GW from the beginning, and when he finally offers her one, she runs from him. Like a naughty schoolgirl, Kathryn runs from GW, and like a naughty schoolgirl, she eventually gets spanked for her boorish behavior.

END OF SPOILERS As Kathryn, Maureen O'Hara has never been better. Alternately overbearing, vulnerable, coquettish, combative and sexy, O'Hara would have easily garnered an Oscar had her work appeared in a more 'serious' movie.

There are so many rich subplots and themes in 'McLintock,' it would be very difficult (and a waste of time) to go into them here. Some include the changing West, mistreatment of the Indians, honor, hypocrisy, male/female roles, male bonding, class struggle and misguided patronage. I think there are more of these in this film than many other 'great' westerns combined. It's all presented so goodnaturedly, it's easy to dismiss McClintock! as a piece of cinematic fluff. It's anything but. Not perfect, in fact somewhat cheapened by some less than stellar supporting actors, 'McLintock' is still worth a '9.'

Why does it have to be you that stirs me?

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 4 June 2011]

McLintock! is directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and written by James Edward Grant. It stars John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Yvonne De Carlo, Patrick Wayne and Stefanie Powers. Music is by Frank De Vol and cinematography by William H. Clothier. It's a Panavision/Technicolor production and locations used for the shoot were Nogales, Old Tucson and San Rafael Ranch State Park, Arizona, USA. A loose reworking of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, plot finds Duke Wayne as cattle baron George Washington McLintock, whose estranged wife Katherine (O'Hara) returns with daughter Becky (Powers) to the family town after a two year absence. Having left George originally on suspicion of him committing adultery, she now wants a divorce and with it full custody of Becky. George isn't keen on the idea and Katherine's arrival in town also signals the arrival of chaos.

Produced out of John Wayne's own Batjac Productions company, McLintock! became one of Wayne's most successful and popular movies of the 60's. Played for laughs, film sees Wayne surrounded by family and friends and this shines thru in the final product. It looks, and was, a fun production, its values may be dated a great deal now, but it's easy to see why the paying public warmed to it. Wayne is in his element as the tough, hard drinking and no nonsense title character, and those playing off of him are in tune with what's needed to make the comedy work. The action is well staged by McLaglen, especially a free for all punch up at a mud pit, and Clothier's photography beautifully brings the Arizona locales out from the screen. A touch too long at just over two hours, it still manages to last the course to deliver the goods for the western/comedy seeker. 7/10

Wrap yourself in conservative goodness!

[jeremyglick · 5/10 · 30 June 2011]

There's a good reason for the exclamation point in the title of "McLintock!": the entire film is uncomplicated, bold, and unapologetic to the core. This retelling of "The Taming of the Shrew" set in the old west serves mostly as a star vehicle for one of the great screen pairings of all time, John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara. But its main appeal is as a warm, reactionary blanket.

Adherents of this film will undoubtedly cite it as "good, wholesome entertainment" and state "they don't make 'em like they used to." They'd also mock my use of the word "adherents". It's because this movie was designed to appeal to our more conservative values. In McLintock men settle their differences with bare fists, and women secretly thrill over it. Bureaucrats and intellectuals are untrustworthy, because the only good, clean, honest work is done with your hands. Here women need to be paddled to know their place, and they won't respect you until you do. In this town cowards and "fancy boys" don't get the girl, and stereotypes are all in good fun (and true!). For many westerns most of this is implied, but in McLintock! it's the driving theme.

It may seem like I am knocking this movie, but I am really not. It is what it is: a chance to see John Wayne at his best, as an uncomplicated character whose adherence (that word again!) to his convictions sees him through all troubles, be they internal or external. And the entire effort is well-directed and entertaining, regardless of one's social compass. Yet I would remind anyone who feels this movie is "wholesome" that Running Buffalo's "Where's the whiskey?" line, delivered about a dozen times, probably set Native American relations back 100 years. And I would further remind anyone deriding my "political correctness" that McLintock! itself contains one of the most blatant PC moments in film. The only point of the subplot involving the local Comanche tribe is to show John Wayne, an American icon symbolic of our old west heritage, as sympathetic to the Native American cause. And the only point of that is to serve Wayne's legacy – a man who built his screen career on fighting Indians – and to allay our white conscience.

If McLintock really cared about the Native Americans, he'd give his land back to them and not some national park. And if the filmmakers really cared about them, the actors would have received some kind of screen credit.

People! People! People!

[Mister-6 · 10/10 · 14 October 1999]

Once in a while, even The Duke liked to have a good laugh.

That's obvious in "McLintock!", where nearly every scene is a laugh riot. This is about the most boisterous, rambunctuous, slapstick-driven Western ever made. In fact, it's easy to see why this is one of Wayne's most popular efforts.

Everyone puts in a good performance (even a young Powers as McLintock's daughter) and is willing to give their all in the name of the classic Western (and classic comedy). There are a few Mexican, Indian and Chinese stereotypes that could have been left out but there are so many good spirits herein, it's hard to notice them.

Just look at the chemistry between Wayne and O'Hara as the long-suffering Mrs. McLintock. Small wonder they made a large number of movies together. Fire and brimstone mixes with mud and water until it's obvious that every laugh they generate has been earned honestly. Not an easy thing to do in any movie, especially nowadays.

Look, you can see a movie like "True Grit", "The Searchers" and "Rio Lobo" anytime you want to see The Duke in all his glory. But for good old raucous fun, give "McLintock!" a try.

Ten stars. The Duke and slapstick. Two great things that go great together.

How did I miss this? It's great!

[BibChr · 3 March 2002]

I am a John Wayne fan, but have never heard much "buzz" about this movie. Indeed, I hesitated over it a number of times before renting it for my family's weekly movie. I almost introduced it apologetically.

No worries, though! This movie is CLASSIC John Wayne. There are SO many elements to like in it. You get some good and timely philosophical comments about self-reliance versus dependency, some other good points on what goes into a marriage; but then there are truly funny comic moments, scenes, lines. Very un-PC, very memorable.

In fact, this movie has so many great lines it will require more viewings. We re-ran several as it was.

Put that together with a uniformly strong supporting class, and I think you've got vintage Wayne.

When Men Were Men

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 7/10 · 28 September 2022]

John Wayne plays The Man, of course. Maureen O'Hara plays the voluptuous redhead. They've never been my favorite on-screen duo, and this movie won't make them them so.

As for the story, I dunno, it's a western. I think it's supposed to be a comedy. Judging by all the yelling and the complete lack of actual jokes, I'd say it's a screwball comedy.

Enjoyed the mudfight, though it went on too long.

Stefanie Powers should have been a superstar after this movie. She's magnificent.

Patrick Wayne. He was good looking, charming and he gets to spank Powers. Guy was on top of the world.

Jerry Van Dyke nearly steals the movie with his clowning. Best part is when he calls The Duke a ''reactionary," and then explains that's what the young generation (i.e., draft dodgers, college students, hippies and assorted leftist traitors) call the older generation (i.e., the people who built America and fought in two world wars).

The clincher comes when the government weasels can't wait to shove the Comanche on to an arid reservation, while The Duke defends their quest to be left in peace.

All in all, an enjoyable technicolor reminder of a time when men ruled and wymynfolk were the adornments. I'm actually hoping that sentence makes other viewers cry. And it probably will, judging by the low-star reviews from members of The Glee Club.

A western film that combines great humor, some action, and the eternal battle of the sexes out west

[Mickey-2 · 9/10 · 10 January 1999]

"McLintock", released in 1963, was a film that gave the Duke a chance to simply play a role for laughs, and let the story take care of itself. Paired with long-time screen leading lady Maureen O'Hara, the two manage to play their roles to the hilt, and the viewer can simply enjoy.

John Wayne is G. W. McLintock, a wealthy rancher that is looking to enjoy what his years of hard work have earned him--money, major spread, cattle, respect, etc. What is missing, however, is his wife, Katherine, played by Maureen O'Hara. Two years ago, without any advance warning, Kate split from the McLintock ranch and headed eastward, taking their daughter with her. Now, the daughter is returning from college, and Kate is returning, as well, determined to see that Becky goes back with her. G. W. is going to do his best to see that Becky stays with him.

The film's comedy sequences features a wild fist fight taking place at a mud slide, eventually, all the major participants end up in a slide down the mud, yes, even G. W. and Kate, and at the end of the film, a wild chase between G. W. and Kate, that ends up with a spanking being applied to Kate's backside. Ultimately, the fighting McLintocks become the peaceful duo, and the fireworks come to an end.

McLintock! (1963)

[WandrinStar · 7/10 · 16 January 2012]

(7.5/10) I generally don't like John Wayne comedy westerns, but McLintock is a big exception. Simply put, this is a fun movie. The sets are great as is the colorful collection of memorable one dimensional characters that are almost all recognizable character actors from other Wayne films such as Hank Worden, Maureen O' Hara, Bruce Cabot, Strother Martin, HW Gim, and Michael Pate. Maureen O'Hara in particular steals the show as the ruthless and demanding wife who buries her hidden love for the old west. Duke's son Patrick Wayne finally doesn't seem out of place and gives what may be his finest performance. Meanwhile Duke's on screen daughter Stephanie Powers also gives a great performance as a daughter in between Duke and the reformed O'Hara. Movie overstays it's welcome and never really has an alluring plot, but its a fun ride that plays itself almost in the same manner a musical would.

The eternal battle of the sexes

[novisplova · 9/10 · 12 November 2004]

Well, this film certainly may not be too politically correct for these times, but that aside, is simply a very well acted Western version of "The Taming of the Shrew". The chemistry between John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara is electric. She plays her role so convincing that you're happy she gets her spanking from George McLintock in the end. It's all done in a very comical way, and Maureen O'Hara was an excellent comic actress. For this reason, this film remains popular. In some ways it is similar to another John Wayne film, "The Quiet Man" also starring with Maureen O'Hara. In that film, John also plays the patient guy trying hard not to become violent, but to no avail. Both films represent the rawness of the land they live in: the rough American West and the bucolic but tough Irish country where fist fighting is very much a man's art. Seen through cultural filters both films are very realistic and natural. Those who look at these films from a perspective foreign to these cultures are missing the point entirely.

A Blast From The Past...

[lesallen-68268 · 6/10 · 18 April 2020]

Hard to believe this was only made in 1963. It would probably bomb today. The values seem so politically incorrect as to make you wonder if it is a spoof. The story surrounds John Wayne, the mega wealthy rancher living the boozy bachelor life until his fiery wife, Maureen O'Hara, returns to the fold.... And all the ensuing shenanigans that follow. But.... would the casual violence against women and the casual prejudice against the native Americans play well with 21st century sensibilities? It just seems so dated. Stagecoach, made 30 years earlier featuring a very boyish John Wayne, was a far more creative and stimulating effort. Probably owing to John Ford's direction. That other gem featuring these stars, The Quiet Man, itself following a very similar plot, was a far more rounded and less cringe worthy offering. Worth watching as a history lesson in how film Westerns were once made...

More or less music and nothing much more.

[ptsj-music · 3/10 · 18 March 2020]

John Wayne all over the screen but nothing really much happening. Take away the music score from this and there's not much left. It's not funny, everything is very overacted, staticly arranged and non realistic.

Possibly the best film the Duke ever did

[helpless_dancer · 9/10 · 6 April 1999]

I laughed all the way through this one. It was a hilarious look at a man's relationship with his family, especially his headstrong wife. The fistfight at the mudslide was one of the funniest scenes ever filmed. Looked like everybody was having a ball. Great show.

Fun, brawling Western Comedy with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 16 October 2016]

Released in 1963 and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, "McLintock" stars John Wayne as as the eponymous big rancher in Arizona who tries to keep the peace with his estranged wife (O'Hara), new settlers, fork-tongued government agents and uprising Natives. Stephanie Powers plays his daughter and Patrick Wayne her romantic interest. The notable cast also includes the stunning Yvonne De Carlo and Strother Martin.

My title blurb pretty much tells you everything you need to know, except that this movie is as politically incorrect as you can get. When it comes to Western comedies I'm more into films like 1976's "The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox," but I have to admit that I watched "McLintock!" with a bemused grin for its entire 2 hour and 7 minute runtime.

The movie was shot entirely in Arizona, including Old Tucson.

GRADE: B-

McLintock! is Boring!

[atlasmb · 3/10 · 7 September 2013]

Looking at the reviews on this site, it appears this film has many fans. I cannot understand why.

First of all, the script has no charm. I loved Wayne and O'Hara in The Quiet Man, but here they are working with a script that more closely resembles a Road Runner cartoon (mug for the camera, hit someone over the head with the nearest object, then fall hilariously over your own feet!).

Saying that the concept is based upon The Taming of the Shrew does not make it better.

Everything that happens in the film is broadcast in advance. There are no surprises. Slapstick can be an art, but here there is no joy in it. I don't mean to belittle the opinions of others. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion. But I found no genuine laughs in this movie. There are so many other worthy films out there.