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Big Jim McLain (1952)

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Critic Reviews: 2
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Release Date: Aug 30, 1952 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 207

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Movie Info

Of all the "kill the commies" cold war films of the 1950s, John Wayne's Big Jim McLain may well be the worst. Certainly it's the hardest one to sit through today. The Duke and his partner Jim Arness (Wayne's real-life protege) head to Hawaii to investigate a subversive pro-Red organization. Feigning love for suspect Nancy Olson, Wayne ferrets out the name of the Big Cheese, played by Gayne Whitman. After a long wild-goose chase, peopled by such oddball types as Hans Conried and Alan Napier,

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

Directed By: Edward Ludwig

In Theaters: Aug 30, 1952 Wide

On DVD: May 22, 2007

Cast

John Wayne
Big Jim McLain
Nancy Olson
Nancy Vallon
James Arness
Mal Baxter
Alan Napier
Sturak
Veda Ann Borg
Madge
Hans Conried
Robert Henried
Gayne Whitman
Dr. Gelster
Hal Baylor
Poke
Robert Keys
Edwin White
John Hubbard
Lieutenant Commander Cl...
Paul Hurst
Mr. Lexiter
Sarah Padden
Mrs. Lexter
Peter Brocco
Mr. Nash
William Forrest
McLain's Superior
Gordon Jones
Olaf
Harry Tyler
Waiter
Peter Whitney
Truckdriver
Soo Yong
Mrs. Nomaka
Henry Morgan
Uncredited

Critic Reviews for Big Jim McLain

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (0) | Rotten (2)

Pathetic anti-Communist propaganda film with a snarling John Wayne at his ugliest as a macho windbag special agent for HUAC.

July 28, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The name of Wayne's special agent for the HUAAC had the same initials as those of Senator Joseph McCarthy, which was not a coincidence, and Wayne himself believed that his popular propagandistic film helped McCarthy's reelection campaign.

May 27, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Audience Reviews for Big Jim McLain

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Big Jim McLain features one of John Wayne's best walk-through; he looks a little sheepish, but he's so amiable you forget he's really not in character. The drama at hand is tidied up rather quickly, yet the film is directed with a steady hand and has an easy-going pace.The black-and-white cinematography is quite

November 12, 2008

Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

Seeks to glorify the loathsome Joe McCarthy and his venal lot. Wayne was a well known ultra conservative so his presence here is no surprise but that this thing exists at all is a shame.

March 12, 2010