The Reivers

This 1969 movie based on William Faulkner's last novel was a pleasant surprise. I saw it on TCM late one night, decided to Tivo it and watched it in a couple of parts recently.

Steve McQueen who in his time was one of the most popular actors. He was the epitome of cool. In this movie the role was a little off from his normal range but it fit him.

He plays Boone Higgenbottom a family friend of a well to do family in turn of the century Mississippi. The patriarch grandfather played by Will Geer has a new car delivered, a Wintom Flyer. Boone convinces the young grandson to allow him to borrow the car and they go to Memphis.

The plot takes them to a bordello and involves a horcerace. Lessons are learned and all comes out well. Mcqueen is wonderful and Will Geer is perfect in his role. Can Will Geer not play a role you want to have for a grandfather figure in your life?