The Big Trail (1930)

An Indian scout (John Wayne) leads a wagon train of settlers to the West via the Oregon Trail. But his motive is really to keep an eye on the two men (Tyrone Power Sr., Charles Stevens) he suspects of killing his brother. Long before 20th Century Fox and CinemaScope changed the shape of movies forever in 1953 with THE ROBE, Fox attempted to launch an alternate wide screen format in 70 millimeter called Grandeur. It was not a success and it would be another 22 years before Cinerama then CinemaScope arrived before the exhibitors and the public were willing to accept wide screen films. Directed by Raoul Walsh with the wide screen lensing done by Arthur Edeson, the wide screen images and compositions are stunning. This is not a stagnant film, Walsh fills the screen with activity and painterly illustrations. The director may have had only one eye but he knew how to frame a movie.  The narrative itself is a simple one, one that would repeat itself often in the genre. The acting is okay with Wayne already revealing a strong star presence though he would have to wait 9 more years for his breakthrough role in STAGECOACH. I could have done without El Brendel's awful comic relief as a dumb Swede. With Marguerite Churchill, Tully Marshall, Ian Keith and Louise Carver.