According to Hollywood lore, both John Wayne and director Frank Borzage refused to work with Vera Hruba Ralston, the Czech-born inamorata (and future wife) of Republic Pictures owner Herbert I. Yates. Yates somehow managed to convince Wayne to change his mind, but Borzage was replaced by contract director Joseph Kane. The result was Dakota, the company's major release of 1945, a potentially sprawling empire-building Western. Wayne and Ralston play newlyweds heading for Fargo, North Dakota, where they plan to buy land in ...
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According to Hollywood lore, both John Wayne and director Frank Borzage refused to work with Vera Hruba Ralston, the Czech-born inamorata (and future wife) of Republic Pictures owner Herbert I. Yates. Yates somehow managed to convince Wayne to change his mind, but Borzage was replaced by contract director Joseph Kane. The result was Dakota, the company's major release of 1945, a potentially sprawling empire-building Western. Wayne and Ralston play newlyweds heading for Fargo, North Dakota, where they plan to buy land in anticipation of the coming of the railroad. They are opposed by saloon owner Jim Bender (Ward Bond), who also knows about the expansion and is coercing the homesteaders into selling their land to him and his chief lieutenant, Collins (Mike Mazurki). The latter has been elected president of the Wheat Growers Association, and soon the farmers find themselves indebted to Bender. But Wayne, with his wife's help, beats Bender and his henchman at their own game, making certain that the farmers are well compensated for selling their land to the railroad company owned by Ralston's father (Hugo Haas). Contrary to popular belief, Vera Hruba Ralston was not Dakota's chief liability. For some reason, Republic Pictures, normally a leader in action-oriented melodrama, chose to employ an inordinate amount of rear projection footage this time around, making for rather dull viewing. The Western only leaves the confines of the studio back lot for the climactic prairie fire scenes, filmed by a second unit under the direction of stunt expert Yakima Canutt. Apparently a better figure skater than an actress, Ralston actually shows a bit of spirit in some of her scenes but is rather obviously upstaged by the veteran Ona Munson as a kind-hearted saloon entertainer. Munson was borrowed from Warner Bros. and her singing of "Coax Me" by Andrew B. Sterling and Harry Von Tilzer remains one of Dakota's main pleasures despite editor Fred Allen's endless cross-cutting to Ralston's reactions. The latter was reportedly a very pleasant person devoid of a prima donna ego and would be cast opposite John Wayne again in The Fighting Kentuckian (1949). Republic serial heroines Linda Stirling and Adrian Booth can be spotted among Munson's dancing girls. Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi
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Add this copy of Dakota to cart. $3.00, like new condition, Sold by ARSLONGA rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Belllaire, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Republic.
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Seller's Description:
John Wayne, Vera Ralston, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond, Mike Mazurki. Fine in fine packaging. Language: English. Run time: 82 mins. Originally released: 1945. This film is black and white.
Add this copy of Dakota to cart. $3.33, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2002 by Republic Pictures.
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Seller's Description:
Paul Fix, Nick Stewart, Olive Blakeney, Mike Mazurki, Hugo Haas, Ona Munson, Ward Bond, Walter Brennan, Vera Ralston, John Wayne. Very good. 1945 Run time: 82. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Dakota [Dvd] to cart. $3.39, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2002 by Republic.
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Good. Disc(s) and case show moderate signs of wear and tear. If applicable, digital copy not included. May be missing liner notes/booklet. All items include original case and outer artwork. If applicable, slipcover may not be included. All items ship Mon-Fri.
Add this copy of Dakota to cart. $5.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2002 by Republic Pictures.
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Seller's Description:
Paul Fix, Nick Stewart, Olive Blakeney, Mike Mazurki, Hugo Haas, Ona Munson, Ward Bond, Walter Brennan, Vera Ralston, John Wayne. Very good. 1945 Run time: 82. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Dakota [Vhs Tape] to cart. $6.99, very good condition, Sold by Spin On This rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Woodland Hills, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by VHS 0830; Republic Pictures Home Video.
Add this copy of Dakota to cart. $7.48, very good condition, Sold by GoPeachy rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Jacksonville, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2002 by Republic Pictures.
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Seller's Description:
Paul Fix, Nick Stewart, Olive Blakeney, Mike Mazurki, Hugo Haas, Ona Munson, Ward Bond, Walter Brennan, Vera Ralston, John Wayne. Very good. 1945 Run time: 82. Ships within 1 business day from FL, USA with Tracking. Used discs may not include digital content. All products 100% guaranteed.
![Dakota [FS] - Joseph Kane](https://www4.alibris-static.com/dakota-fs/cover/t19495nnowr_l.jpg)
![Dakota [FS]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/dakota-fs/cover/t19495nnowr.jpg)
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