Cinema: Well-Worn Saddle

Howard Hawks' 43 previous films include His Girl Friday, Scarface, Only Angels Have Wings, Red River, Rio Bravo and half a dozen other examples of American film making at its best and most energetic. Hawks' 44th film, Rio Lobo, does not belong on that list. There are a few good scenes—an intricately executed train wreck, for example—but the movie is notably slack where it should be zestful. It is mostly a replay of familiar fare: John Wayne flirts with the girls, keeps the hot-blooded younger fellers in their place, and finally goes up against...