1939 Stagecoach Movie

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Over the years I have viewed this John Wayne Film numbeous times and have alway had the same question on my mind.
During the running battle with the Apaches when the passengers'ammo had ran out, the Gambler attempted to shoot the Cavalry Officer's wife to keep her from the Apaches. He uses a tip-up spur trigger Rim Fire Smith and Wesson .32/.38 Five Shot Revolver. He is using it in Double-Action mode. Was this a for real model or a "Hollywood"model??
Jimmy

 

[Alpo]

I just went and stuck that DVD in. Watched that scene about a half dozen times. Finally noticed that, just before the hammer starts to go back, the tip of the hammer spur disappears. His hand is severely in shadow, in that scene. Don't know whether it's because of the age of the film or it was intentional to make that shiny gun stand out more (like Hitchcock did in one movie, with a glass of poisoned milk. He had a light bulb in the glass, to make the milk glow, and really hold your eye). But the only reason I can think of for the tip of the spur to disappear is because his thumb is on it.

It's not working DA. He's cocking it.

 

[jrm53]

One think I noticed when I was going to the movies on Saturday afternoon that I wondered about was when the stagecoaches slowed down the wheels ran backwards, it looked real odd, I was about 10 or 11 then. Jeff