Bad Bascomb (1946)

This movie inspired Anthony Mann to make his own western using one of its themes (bad guy hides in/leads wagon train) in 1954, "Bend of the River". He uses the opening scene to pay homage to "Bad Bascomb", by having James Stewart ride up to a wagon and receive a piece of food from a little girl. This points to another theme which is actually dropped from Mann's movie - father hunger in action. This theme is handled well in "Bad Bascomb", without it being overplayed. I could especially identify with the scene where the kid overreacts to the adult's supposed lack of interest in what he thinks is a trivial moment. Margaret and Wallace both sparkle in this - if only they had made more movies together! The only disappointment to me is that there is so much wonderful scenery, and it is in black and white! Finally, what's the best way to attack a wagon train in a circle? Watch this movie and find out!