The Westerner

(William Wyler, US 1940, 100 min., 35mm)

United Artists Centennial | Free Member Movie. Producer Samuel Goldwyn’s last film for United Artists may be his best. Cole Harden (Gary Cooper) makes his living as a wandering cowhand until he is falsely accused of horse theft and brought before Judge Roy Bean (Academy Award winner Walter Brennan). Noting Bean’s affection for the British actress Lily Langtry, who is touring the United States at the time, Harden claims to have met the actress and procured a lock of her hair, which he would be willing to give to Bean. This buys him enough time for the true horse thief to be found, but when Harden falls in love and sides with the homesteaders against the cattlemen, Harden and Bean will again come face-to-face. Free to members.