The Proud Rebel (1958)

A former Confederate soldier (Alan Ladd) arrives in a Northern town with his mute son (David Ladd) and the dog (King) the boy is attached to, to see a doctor (Cecil Kellaway). The doctor is unable to help the boy but suggests a specialist in Minnesota. In the meantime, he works on the farm of an unmarried woman (Olivia De Havilland) until he can afford to take the boy to the Minnesota doctor. Based on a short story by James Edward Grant and directed by Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA). This is a lovely western that focuses more on relationships than the usual "shoot 'em up" oaters. The loving relationship between the father and son, the boy's strong bond with his beloved dog and the budding relationship between the father and the farm woman. Ladd is really good here, probably his last good role as the films that followed failed to bolster a fading career and he and De Havilland (excellent) play off each other wonderfully. Curtiz allows some sentiment to take center stage but never lets it get cloying. With Dean Jagger, Harry Dean Stanton, Mary Wickes and James Westerfield.