Furia y venganza

Director R.G. Springsteen spent many years at Republic Pictures turning out efficient little B westerns, and his expertise is evident in this crisp, sharp little western. From around 1960 to about 1966 Universal churned out a stream of quickie westerns, most of them run-of-the-mill at best and low-grade junk at worst. This tight little oater, however, falls into neither category. A cast of western veterans like Emile Meyer, Ray Teal, Dick Foran and the great Dan Duryea, and a more than competent leading man in Tony Young, combine with a good story and Springsteen's firm hand to make this one of the best B westerns to come out of Universal in that period. Young plays Taggart, a man who gunned down the son of a powerful local rancher who led a gang that attacked his camp and murdered his parents. The dead son's dying father sends hired killers out to track down and kill Taggart. Fleeing through Apache territory, he comes to the aid of an old man and his daughter defending their gold mine against rampaging Indians. Young reminds you of Gary Cooper in his early years, although a bit more animated, and it's a shame his career never really went anywhere, as he's quite good in this (he also shot another western around this time, "He Rides Tall," and is equally as good in that one). Long-time cowboy actor Dick Foran plays the father, and the gorgeous Jean Hale--who years later married actor Dabney Coleman--is his daughter. The story is interesting, the scenery is pretty and Duryea is--as always--tremendous fun to watch. There's some sharp action, although a good chunk of it is obvious stock footage from other westerns, and things are resolved satisfactorily--though somewhat abruptly--at the end, something that didn't always happen in Universal's westerns of the period. All in all, a very watchable little B picture. You could do a lot worse than spending some time on this one.

One of those movies where you get the impression you would have been better off reading the (Louis L'Amour) book. Shoot a gun, the horse throws his rider. Crack shots from people firing a revolver. Often while riding a horse. I watched it because I was reading David Carradine's Endless Highway autobiography, and it's his first film. He looks sufficiently evil, so I did enjoy parts.

"Taggart" was an enjoyable little western from "B-plus" department of Universal. It has the look and feel of an Audie Murphy western, however an excellent story and the crisp direction by R.G. Springsteen, make it a cut above the average.

Tony Young plays the title character, a man wrongly accused of murder. Dan Duryea in yet another of his "smiling cad" portrayals, plays the chief villain. The biggest and most pleasant surprise is the casting of screen veteran Dick Foran as the heroine's father. Foran turns in an excellent performance, a fitting epitaph to his long career.

The cast also includes Jean Hale as the heroine, Emil Meyer (Shane) as the town boss, Peter (son of Dan) Duryea and David Carradine as gunslingers and western favorites Ray Teal, Harry Carey Jr. and Bob Steele in other roles.

"Taggart" is a good western.

The original L'Amour novel -- good. (I've read it -- you should to.)

This screen play -- sketchy; the performance, story line not much better.

I'm amazed this saw the light of the projection booth -- even in the mid-60's.

Good character actors & D. Duryea turned in his patented wise-ass villain performance.

If you're storm-stayed somewhere, trapped in your iron lung or otherwise immobilized -- it's better than infomercials (just).

Otherwise, get a library card.

This violent revenge western directed by perennial action workhorse R. G. Springsteen benefits from the handsome colour production you'd expect from Universal in the fifties and sixties, reflected in the sixties glamour of the female contingent; which includes Elsa Cardenas, who five years later got the Peckinpah treatment in 'The Wild Bunch'.

Originating in a novel by Louis L'Amour, the meaner, uglier westerns that were soon to follow are anticipated by the trio of heavies led by Dan Duryea flanked by Tom Reese and a young David Carradine, the latter making his screen debut.

It doesn't make a lot of sense but you keep watching.