Big Jake

Wayne brought in old friends, family, and associates to help him make BIG JAKE, and the resulting film is a disappointment. Helmed by George Sherman, who had worked with Wayne when he was a rising star at Republic in the "Three Mesquiteers" series of the late 1930s, the film is marred somewhat by lackadaisical direction and gratuitous violence. Wealthy rancher Wayne's young grandson (played by Wayne's real-life son Ethan) is kidnapped by a vicious band of hoods led by Boone. Wayne sets out with his sons, Pat Wayne (also the Duke's real-life offspring), and Mitchum to drop off the $1 million ransom demanded by the outlaws. Cabot tags along, and there is the usual ho...