Four-Star Films : ‘My Darling Clementine’

John Ford’s 1946 classic is as much a love story as a Western. Between the murder of James Earp by cattle rustlers and the final confrontation with his killers in the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda) agrees to become marshal of the wide-open Tombstone of 1882. He establishes a friendship with the complex, hard-drinking and tubercular Doc Holliday (Victor Mature) and becomes smitten with Doc’s proper Bostonian fiance (Cathy Downs) while a fiery saloon entertainer (Linda Darnell) dreams of Doc making an honest woman of her.

Ford, who embraced all of Tombstone’s raffish citizenry, brings a detached compassion to the inevitable confrontation between the good guys and the bad guys. Its effortlessly yet magnificently composed images, all attest to an affirmation of human worth and dignity (Disney Friday at 12:30 a.m.)

Other selected four-star films airing this week:

The China Syndrome Showtime, Sunday, 8 a.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m.

The 39 Steps Bravo, Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.; Thursday, 12:30 a.m.

Major Barbara Bravo, Thursday, 8:30 a.m., again at 2:30 p.m.

Oliver Twist Showtime, Saturday, 4:30 a.m.

Chinatown KCOP, Saturday, 5 p.m.

King Kong AMC, Saturday, 6 p.m., again at 11:30 p.m.