Canyon Passage (1946)

Set in 1856 Oregon, a store and freight company owner (Dana Andrews) is best friends with a banker (Brian Donlevy) with a compulsion for gambling. This addiction to gambling, among other things, will test their friendship. Based on the novel by Ernest Haycox and directed by Jacques Tourneur (I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE). This is an above average western shot in beautiful three strip Technicolor by Edward Cronjager (BENEATH THE 12 MILE REEF) but that's just icing on the cake. There are brawls, Indian attacks, lynch mobs, murders and lots of romantic switches. Just about everything a westerns fan could ask for. The slender Andrews is fine except for the big fight scene with the burly Ward Bond where its clearly his stunt double doing the fighting. This was the Hollywood film debut of the British actress Patricia Roc (THE WICKED LADY) but she seems pallid next to the fiery Susan Hayward as Donlevy's fiancee. The song Ole Buttermilk Sky received a best song Oscar nomination. With Lloyd Bridges, Hoagy Carmichael, Rose Hobart and Andy Devine.