Ride, Vaquero! (1953) is playing on Turner Classic Movies on Saturday April 13 at 12 noon est. Closed captioned.
Ava Gardner and Robert Taylor
By keeping quiet, speaking only when necessary Robert Taylor as Rio gives one of his best performances. All through the film you try to guess what he is thinking. He was adopted by the mother of Esqueda (Anthony Quinn) and Quinn loves and respects him. The real surprise is Howard Keel, who only used to do musicals, coming out so well as King Cameron, a man who is obstinate about building a cattle empire. Cameron is married to Cordelia (Ava Gardner) and as soon as she arrives in a river boat, and they go to their ranch, trouble starts because it has been burnt by Esqueda. Why did Esqueda do it? Because he knows that if he allows anybody to do well in business in that area, others will come and eventually he, who is a bandit will have to run away or be hanged. Quinn is great as Esqueda, just that makes the film worth seeing. Taylor, who was the second man to Quinn in the gang, eventually leaves him to help Keel, because deep down he knows his brother is becoming a crazy monster and unconsciously he is in love with Ava. But when she kisses him, he slaps her because he knows it is wrong. He is a torn man, with all those feelings and not knowing exactly what to do about it. Excellent film, not to be missed. IMDB review by tmwest from Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Some behind-the-scenes photos:
Left to right: Robert Taylor, Dore Schary, J. Farrow, Howard Keel; Robert Taylor; J. Farrrow, Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner
Left to right: Mr. Taylor and Ms. Gardner
Left to right: Mr. Taylor and Ms. Gardner; Howard Keel, Mr. Taylor, Ms. Gardner; 2 of Ms. Gardner’s costumes from the film.
Robert Taylor Actor 
I admire his career when you consider Errol Flynn downwards decline; Taylor stayed on top longer than most.
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Yes he did, Andrew. I think he would have done so even longer had it not been for his cancer. He just would not put down the (expletive deleted) cigarettes. Flynn, of course was a very heavy drinker and most likely used drugs, which Mr. Taylor abhorred. Thanks for writing. Judith
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Yes its a shame he smoked to much its remarkable it didnt destroy his looks as it seemed alcohol did to Flynn; l remember reading about how saddened Tyrone Power was when he appeared in a film with Errol Flynn and Ava Gardner ; by Flynn appearance. (late 50s)
I am so glad he died in a happy marriage, Tyrone did as well his son was born after his death.
Errol died as he had lived David Niven his fellow friend and actor at Warners said “You can always count on Flynn to let you down”. I believe that it was in his book :The Moon is a balloon his part autobiography.
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Andrew, it is a shame that Flynn destroyed himself with booze and drugs–what a waste. I read his autobiography years ago and he was always a wild one. Mr. Taylor did die in a happy marriage but how hard for his children–Terry, 14 and Tessa, 9.Thanks for writing.
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