So, this is Dodge City, I see? It has a bit of a Fort Worth feel to it, doesn't it? "Dodge City, Kansas - 1872. Longhorn cattle center of the world and wide-open Babylon of the American frontier - packed with settlers, thieves and gunmen". "Dodge City... rolling in wealth from the great Texas trail-herds... the town that knew no ethics but cash and killing". Then comes Wade Hatton, cleverly pretending to be a dashing Errol Flynn. *Dodge City*, an action-packed Western from beginning to end, finds Errol Flynn (in his first Western) performing wonderfully. Based on the story of Wyatt Earp, Michael Curtiz's lavishly produced film is as enjoyable now as it was for audiences in 1939. The usual elements of the genre are holding everything together: nasty villains, attractive women, a wagon train, cattle drive, railroad, Civil War events, gunfights, fist fights, and naturally an heroic Sheriff. All carefully managed by Curtiz, who is both astute and impressive. With Sol Polito’s fluid Technicolor photography and Max Steiner's upbeat score, Curtiz's set pieces are as captivating as they are visually striking. A runaway train engulfed in flames and the best saloon fight ever filmed stand out, but there are many other highlights worthy of praise. It’s very much a film centered on male characters, and that’s where *Dodge City* doesn’t quite reach its full potential. Olivia de Havilland, who always looks lovely in Technicolor, didn't like her part as Abbie Irving, and it's easy to understand why. There isn’t much for her to do; it's a straightforward role that requires nothing more than delivering lines and looking good. Ann Sheridan as Ruby Gilman has a more lively role, but she doesn’t get enough screen time. That’s unfortunate because what little of Sheridan we see is really quite good. Despite those issues, the film will be remembered for its male characters. Flynn tackles the part of Hatton with enthusiasm and a twinkle in his eye. When he puts on the Sheriff badge for the first time, it's like Clark Kent tearing off his suit to become Superman—that’s how exciting it is. Bruce Cabot and Victor Jory are menacing and excellent villains, while Alan Hale and Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams provide comic relief. The movie sets out to entertain, and that’s exactly what it does. Considering other notable Westerns were released in the same year (*Stagecoach*, *Jesse James*, and *Destry Rides Again*), credit is due; *Dodge City* deserves its place among those films—and most definitely so. 8/10

Source on TMDB