The Brass Legend

Interesting little western, as Allied or United Artists could provide from time to time, or Universal B department. But Budd Boetticher also made his famous Randolph Scott westerns more or less in the same manner. Nothing spectacular but quite surprising, unpredictable, which is not the case for every western. This kind of plot was often used in ZANE GREY THEATER series episodes, small cute engrossing stories, sometimes poignant, far far from clichés. Gerd Oswald was not a major film maker, not an ambitious one, but his films were not uninteresting. FURY AT SHOWDOWN starring John Derek was also a cute little western.

Wanted outlaw Tris Hatten turns up in Apache Bend, looking for former sweetheart Millie Street, a saloon girl. Clay Gipson, the little brother of Sheriff Wade Addams' girlfriend, spots the fugitive and informs the sheriff, who knocks Hatten cold and takes him to jail.

Town opinion turns against the popular Wade, who is suspected by girlfriend Linda's father, rancher Tom Gipson, of being after a reward for Hatten that rightfully should go to the boy, Clay. In truth, Wade is trying to protect the child, particularly when the notorious Barlow gang rides into town to try to spring Hatten.

A reporter named Tatum helps damage the sheriff's reputation by revealing Clay to be the informant. Clay is wounded by a gunshot, bringing dad Tom to his senses. After shooting two of the Barlows, proving his courage, Wade must apprehend Hatten, who has had a gun smuggled to him in jail. Hatten shoots the reporter, but can he outdraw Wade?

There's an earthy and no-frills feel to this 1956 Western directed by Gerd Oswald and starring Hugh O' Brien as the sheriff who is trying to do the right thing by not revealing that his girl's brother informing about a killer named Tris Hatten who is played by Raymond Burr. Stark photography and harmonica soundtrack gels well with the overall serious tone. It's not the most exciting western, but it's very well made, compelling in a gradual way and more character based, though I felt the father was an idiot for wanting his son to be known as the informer for the sake of pride. It's well acted by all, especially by Hugh O' Brien who isn't only charismatic but comes across really fed up of being a sheriff. A couple of shootouts are well done.

This was made about the time b westerns were in decline. I watched it just to see Hugh O'Brian (TVs Wyatt Earp)and Raymond Burr ( TVs Ironside). Not bad but but no where near being a classic. Hugh O'Brian plays the strong Sheriff and Raymond Burr as usual is very strong in the role of the bad guy Poor script and low budget show up throughout the movie. I must have been difficult at that time to put much money into a b western. Enjoyed watching for old times sake, alaways have a soft spot for the western.

Compact Low-Budget Western with some Off-Beat Ingredients.

The Two Leads...Hero Sheriff Hugh O' Brien and Outlaw Raymond Burr.

In the Mix is almost a Prerequisite in the Prolific 50's Western...A "Kid".

From Highly-Praised and Popular Films like "Shane" (1953) Onward. Including TV"s "The Rifleman".

Were Examples of Popular Culture Icons that Showcased the "Boom".

Family Life in Post-War America was a "Celebratory" Procreative Parade of Offspring.

The Down-Home, Salt of the Earth "Americana" Manifested in the Western Genre.

After the War it was Obligatory to Reflect Contemporary Reality...Arriving "Boomers".

Mostly this was Nothing More than "Ornamental" and for the Most Part, at Best it was Non-Intrusive, but at Worst it could Cause Cringes and Interfere by way of Irritations.

The Adolescent in this Little-Seen or Appreciated Movie, the "Kid" is Used in just the Right Way.

He is Substantial to the Plot, Yields Firearms, and Helps His Friend the Sheriff in Apprehending the Outlaw.

Also, Against the Norm, He is Attacked and Shot of His Horse for His Involvement.

This is Highly Unusual in the Code-Dominated, Ultra Conservative Decade.

Non-Adults were Rarely Allowed to become Victims of Abuse or Violence in Mainstream Movies.

There's an Unusual Gunfight in the Saloon Presented in an Off-Handed Display.

To Cap it Off, the "Showdown" Mano-Mano between Good and Evil is Not your Standard Stand-Off in the Streets.

Worth a Watch for the Strange Way the Film Presents the Ever-Present Genre Cliches.

Burr is fantastic is this movie. Not a large role or does he have that many lines. But his acting abilities really shine as a person who really should not have been born. The young actor portraying Clap Gipson looks like he is trying to act.- really bad.