Rio Lobo (1970)

Howard Hawks' last ever film was yet another western with John Wayne in the lead role. The Duke plays an authoritative military colonel in charge of an army payroll that doesn't make it to its destination. He's pissed off about that, understandably, but what really irks him is the consequences to men under his command. He makes it his duty to redress the situation, however long it takes.
It's a variation on a theme with scenes and situations similar to some of Hawks' previous works, but it's more than just a carbon copy. It entertains on its own merits, some of the relationships are unconventional, the plot moves at a decent pace, and the trio of ladies play a helpful role in how the day is won.

3½ busy hornets out of 5

The Thing from Another World (1951)

There's something fishy buried at the North Pole; something not of this world. A small group of scientists and US Air Force men inadvertently unleash it!
Unlike the remake, the original TTfAW is a sci-fi that keeps its horror mostly hidden, for both financial and creative reasons (it looked stupid up close). As such, it's very talky. While some of the dialogue is good, I find it difficult to accept the men as anything more than written stock types; the women even less so. Still, I acknowledge that by 1950's standards it's better than average.
It's credited to Christian Nyby (Dir), but may or may not have been directed by Hawks; I believe at least a part of it was.
When it comes to FX it's more clear cut: it has one absolutely amazing scene that's different but equal in power to what Carpenter later did.

3 cold meets out of 5

PS. A colourised version exists, if you like that kind of 'thing'. I don't, so I've not watched it.

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

A pussy-whipped Carey Grant humbles his way through life like a Clark Kent-esque palaeontologist (minus the costumed alter ego) until he meets a headstrong but scatterbrained female in the shape of Hepburn, with her 'baby' of the title not far behind. Hepburn's character displays the more welcome traits of the 'Hawksian woman' archetype and avoids the less likeable ones.
It's a screwball comedy that gets better with each viewing. The chemistry between the pair is believable, and it's fun to see neither of the two stars be too proud or pompous to make public asses of themselves.

4 entanglements out of 5

Rio Bravo (1959)

Sitting down to watch John Wayne in a Howard Hawks Western means you’re in for a good time, but I admit I’m not in love with this one as much as the film world seems to think I should be.
Wayne as Sherriff is fantastic as always. Dean Martin had a tough job but he did it well. Ricky Nelson looked at home with a guitar but less so with a gun; it was early in his acting career and he was still inexperienced. The Feathers character (Angie Dickinson) was a square peg in a round hole; she didn't bring enough to the clique to warrant inclusion.
Everything else works and by the end we know why each unequivocal decision was made.

3½ sing-songs in the jail-house out of 5