Joel Achenbach shows his kids a real western movie with The Duke and …
Naturally, I had to show the kids a John Wayne movie. We went to the video store and settled on “Red River.” Directed by Howard Hawks, co-starring Montgomery Clift. The teaser explained that John Wayne plays a cowboy who takes his massive herd on a long cattle drive. Perfect: A cowboy movie with lots of cows.
A little ways into the movie, the young Montgomery Clift makes his first appearance, playing “Matt,” the adopted son of the John Wayne character. He sort of . . . slinks around. Pantherish. Boy, he’s one pretty cowboy.
Another handsome young man, played by John Ireland, shows up and wants to join the cattle drive. Matt bristles at the newcomer, but it’s clear that the two lads are instantly fascinated with each other.
“That’s a good-lookin’ gun you were about to use back there. Can I see it?” the Ireland character says.
Matt hands him his gun.
“Maybe you’d like to see mine.”
Whoooaaaaaa, dogie!
There’s more like that — flirtatious comments about Matt’s gun. Mock hurt. Why did the new guy want to go on the cattle drive? “Just a notion I had, then Matt turned me down. Made me want to go. Besides, then I took a liking to that gun of his.”
I was practically shouting at the screen, “Get a room!”
Later I found out from the Internet what every film buff and “Brokeback” reviewer knows: “Red River” is famous for its suggestion of homoerotic behavior on the range. The “gay cowboy movie” has a long history. …
Which is exactly why Crash will get the Oscar.