“Cahill U.S. Marshal” (1973) starring John Wayne and George Kennedy / Z-View

Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973)

Director: Andrew V. McLaglen

Screenplay: Harry Julian Fink, Rita M. Fink, story by Barney Slater, Jr.

Stars: John Wayne, George Kennedy, Gary Grimes, Neville Brand, Clay O’Brien, Marie Windsor, Morgan Paull, Dan Vadis, Royal Dano, Denver Pyle, Jackie Coogan, Rayford Barnes, Harry Carey Jr., Walter Barnes, Paul Fix, Vance Davis, Hank Worden and Pepper Martin.

Tagline: Break the law and he’s the last man you want to see. And the last you ever will.

The Plot…

United State Marshal and widower, J.D. Cahill (Wayne) is often away from home tracking down robbers and killers.  While Cahill is gone, his two sons are left in the care of an old man. Abe Fraser (Kennedy) sees an opportunity to con the boys into helping him and his gang rob the bank.  He promises no one will get hurt.

Sadly, during the robbery the town’s sheriff and another man are killed.  Cahill’s youngest son hides the loot and refuses to tell where.  Fraser tells the brothers that he will return in a short time and will get the cash or kill them.  When Marshal Cahill returns the boys are afraid to tell their father what happened.

As Marshal Cahill tracks the robbers, he begins to suspect there’s more to the story.  If he doesn’t figure it out, more will die… including his sons.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Director Andrew McLaglen directed John Wayne in five films.  Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) was the last.

John Wayne wasn’t a fan of the way the film turned out.  He was quoted as saying, “It just wasn’t a well done picture. It needed better writing, it needed a little better care in making.”

Part of the problem may have been the fact that Wayne’s mentor, director John Ford died from cancer during filming.  Wayne, himself had to have a cancerous lung removed 9 years earlier.  Wayne also suffered from emphysema.  Ford’s death and Wayne’s declining health made for a rough shooting schedule.

John Wayne’s co-stars in Cahill U.S. Marshal often appeared with Wayne in other films: George Kennedy (3), Clay O’Brien (2); Marie Windsor (3); Royal Dano (2); Denver Pyle (5); Rayford Barnes (3); Harry Carey Jr. (15); Walter Barnes (2); Hank Worden (17) and Paul Fix (26).

Harry Julian Fink and Rita M. Fink also were screenwriters for Big Jake (John Wayne); Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact, and The Dead Pool (all starring Clint Eastwood).

Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) rates 3 of 5 stars.