SANTA FE PASSAGE (1955) ** More cinematic small talk about how the West was won…that is, through the dynamic of racism expressed through the wholesale slaughter of Indians. Leaving aside, maybe, the fact that they were there first, Indians behaving badly isn't exactly a myth either, and one that's thoroughly represented here. Also double-dealing and love triangles in the desert dirt and dust. If nothing sounds particularly appealing about it all despite the potential for adventure, that's probably about right. Things must have seemed different then…and I'm sorry to say no doubt still were when the film was made…but through modern eyes John Payne is such a devout racist that you wouldn't wish him on one of the Manson girls, much less poor, good star-crossed but determined Faith Domergue. The only legitimate match for her in the whole movie is Slim Pickens, and if you don't think he's a good match for her you don't pay much attention to loyalty or personality. Now they would have been a nice couple. So if at the end they jump up on the highest horse they can find and start pontificating all moralistic about how part of what made American great was the terrible racism that it was built on being overcome by true love…waaal, there's at least part of a point in there podnuh, though it's clearly one that we haven't been entirely, collectively, yet able to make.
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