Aces and eights

Stagecoach

(1939)

America, for better or for worse: yes, there's genocidal expansionism and vigilantism (miraculous vigilantism, actually, but I don't want to spoil it for any virgins in the crowd), but there's also redemption, the overcoming of prejudice, the triumph of natural law over societal dictates, and, best of all in this particular election year, punishment of venal capitalism. "What this country needs is a businessman for president," declares the banker Gatewood, his valise swollen with embezzled greenbacks. He also calls for reduced taxes and decries regulation of his industry. Somehow this sounds familiar. Let's just hope the GOP gets its comeuppance a month from today, as Gatewood does when the stage arrives at Lordsburg.