Watch Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die

Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die from 1942 is a Western movie directed by William McGann and starring Richard Dix, Kent Taylor, and Edgar Buchanan. The film is a fictionalized account of the events leading up to the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, in 1881. The movie opens with a stagecoach carrying three men - Jim, Jeff, and Tex - to Tombstone. Jim (Dix) is a retired marshal from Dodge City, Jeff (Taylor) is a reporter for the New York Herald, and Tex (Buchanan) is a gambler. They arrive in Tombstone and check into the Cosmopolitan Hotel. As they settle in, they become aware of the conflict between the Earp brothers - Wyatt (Harry Carey) and Morgan (Russell Simpson) - and a gang of outlaws led by Curly Bill Brocius (Joseph Sawyer) and Johnny Ringo (John E. Saint). The outlaws are a constant threat to the peace and security of the town, and the Earps are determined to put an end to their criminal activities.

Jim, Jeff, and Tex soon find themselves embroiled in the conflict as they befriend the Earps and assist them in their fight against the outlaws. Jim, in particular, becomes a trusted ally of Wyatt Earp as the two men share a common past as lawmen. Jim also falls in love with Nellie Cashman (Mary Gordon), a successful businesswoman and friend of the Earps.

As tensions rise in Tombstone, the Earps are aided by their friend Doc Holliday (Donald Woods), a notorious gambler and gunslinger with a reputation for violence. The conflict between the Earps and the outlaws comes to a head in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, a famous incident in the history of the American West. The gunfight results in the deaths of several members of the outlaw gang and two of the Earps' allies, including Doc Holliday.

The aftermath of the gunfight is depicted in the movie as a series of confrontations and acts of violence between the Earps and the outlaws, which culminate in a climactic showdown. The movie ends with the town of Tombstone restored to peace and the outlaws brought to justice.

Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die is a typical Western movie of its time, with action, adventure, and romance. The plot is heavily fictionalized, with liberties taken with historical accuracy and the portrayal of real-life figures such as the Earps and Holliday. However, the movie is entertaining and enjoyable, with good performances by the cast, especially Richard Dix as Jim and Harry Carey as Wyatt Earp.

The movie also has a strong sense of place, with the dusty streets and saloons of Tombstone depicted in detail. The costumes and set design are also noteworthy, with a great attention to detail and authenticity.

In addition to its entertainment value, the movie also reflects the values and attitudes of its time. The portrayal of the Earps as heroes fighting against the lawless outlaws reflects the popular myth of the American West as a land of law and order, with heroic figures such as Wyatt Earp embodying the virtues of bravery, justice, and honor. The depiction of women such as Nellie Cashman as independent and successful businesswomen was also progressive for its time.

In conclusion, Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die is a classic Western movie that will appeal to fans of the genre. While not strictly historically accurate, the movie still captures the spirit of the American West and the struggles of its inhabitants to survive in a harsh and lawless environment. It is also a valuable artifact of its time, reflecting the values, attitudes, and popular myths of mid-century America.