Watch Wells Fargo

In the year 1856, the city of St. Joseph in Missouri is a buzzing hub for the trading of goods and transportation of people heading west. Wells Fargo, the American multinational financial services company, has only just started its operations and is offering courier services by riding ponies between St. Joseph and Sacramento, California. The titular movie, Wells Fargo, directed by Frank Lloyd and released in 1937, is a thrilling western drama set in this pre-Civil War America.

Joel McCrea plays the protagonist, Ramsay MacKay, a special agent dispatched by Wells Fargo to investigate and stop an ongoing series of stagecoach robberies that have been plaguing the company's operations. MacKay, along with his sidekick and the comic relief of the movie, "Duke" Egan (played by Bob Burns), rides from Missouri to California, encountering dangerous obstacles and even deadlier foes.

As the story unfolds, we learn that the mastermind behind the robberies is a notorious outlaw leader named "The Bandit" (played by George Bancroft). Frances Dee is cast in the role of Justine Pryor, a strong-willed woman who owns a ranch that The Bandit wants to use for his illegal activities. Justine initially resists The Bandit's advances, but as the plot progresses, she finds herself drawn towards MacKay and his mission to protect Wells Fargo's interest.

One of the most significant aspects of this movie is the emphasis on historical accuracy. The movie's plot is based on actual events that occurred during the rise of Wells Fargo as a banking and express company in the mid-nineteenth century. Some of the characters, such as Rufus Sage, a journalist who documented these events, make an appearance in the movie.

The movie is also notable for its stunning on-location shooting. The movie features some of the most beautiful landscapes of the American West, ranging from rolling hills to arid deserts. Director Frank Lloyd makes excellent use of these natural surroundings, using them to frame the characters and action in ways that accentuate both the beauty and the danger of the wild west.

Another unique aspect of this movie is the use of technology. Wells Fargo became a hallmark in the transportation industry through its use of telegraph lines to transmit messages between its various stations. The movie portrays these telegraph stations as a vital aspect of the company's operations, and we see how their use plays a significant role in the storyline.

The movie's pacing is brisk, and the action sequences are thrilling. The scene where MacKay, Duke, and a Wells Fargo agent fight off a group of bandits while stranded on a rocky outcropping is an impressive display of stunt work, especially considering that it predates modern film technology such as CGI.

The performances of the lead actors, especially Joel McCrea, are noteworthy. McCrea displays a natural charm and charisma that make his character's heroic adventures all the more enjoyable to watch. Bob Burns, in his role as comic relief, provides laugh-out-loud moments with his "hillbilly" antics.

Overall, Wells Fargo is a classic western film that combines drama, action, and humor in equal measure. The movie's adherence to historical accuracy and its naturalistic cinematography make it a standout from the era of classic Hollywood cinema.