The Ballad of a Gunfighter

The main appeal is the way you never know who's side to be on. The ending is shocking and will leave an impression on you.

This movie includes most every cliche from every prior western movie. And yet it also includes a bit extra that makes it worth a look. The main advantage is the impish charm of Marty Robbins – his performance is good enough to make me wonder why he didn't have more of a movie career. I think he could have gone much farther.

The main disadvantage is that Marty Robins doesn't personally sing. I bought this movie with the expectation that he sing at least once, but that didn't happen. What genius decided it would be a good idea to make a western starring Marty Robins that didn't include at least one song performed by the man himself? A smart movie maker would have found some excuses for 3-4 songs at least.

Am I the only one who spotted Clint Eastwood? Watch as Marty Robbins is walking across the street and bumps into a stranger. You only get a side view, but that stranger was Clint Eastwood! I am sure of it. Overall, I really liked the movie. I was watching late night TV and it came on so I watched it. So happy to see Secora, Feleena, and the outlaw. And a surprise ending with a twist. Loved it.

It's been a long time since I have watched this movie, but I remember how enjoyable it was. I would recommend this to any true western movie or real country (nothing newer than 1980, please, except Chris LeDoux) fan.

This movie is terrible. My name is Dale Miller. I worked for Bill and Cindy Ward at the Box W Stables during the years of 1966 to 1969. We occupied the old Marwick ranch formerly owned by Barbara Stanwyck. It was a beautiful Throbread stable and training facility during the 1940 and 1050's and located at 10,000 Reseda Blvd. across from Northridge Park. Barbara's house is still there on Devonshire St. and is being preserved as a museum. Bill was the stunt man for Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger). Traveler was the white horse used in the Lone Ranger series and owned by Bill and given to Richard (Dick) Saukko (Tommy Trojan) to become the USC mascot. For more information contact me at iamrocketman2@gmail.com

RELEASED IN 1964 and written & directed by Bill Ward, "Ballad of a Gunfighter " is a Western about two outlaws in a Utah town, one good (Marty Robbins) and one bad (Robert Barron), who vie for the attentions of an ex-saloon girl (Joyce Redd). I say one is "good" because he's akin to Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and covertly giving to a padre (Nestor Paiva). Laurette Luez plays a seasoned saloon babe.

The movie starts out with a long chase in the desert country, which is curiously quiet. In the third act there's a knockdown-drag-out fight between two rivals and then, of course, the final showdown. Other than that, this is mostly a dramatic Western with stilted dialogues, but with quality protagonists and antagonists. Interestingly, there are several swimming hole sequences consisting of Redd's character and one of her suitors, but don't expect any female eye candy.

Most of the movie is town-bound, but there are some scenic Utah locations. The filmmaking is quaint and low-budget (like the actors learned their lines the same morning), but there are serious adult-oriented elements, although you have to read in between the lines. The ending is unexpected, even brave, but I guess "the wages of sin is death" (even while one hopes for redemption).

One of the most successful country & western singers for the better part of four decades, Robbins wrote & sung "San Angelo," which appears on the soundtrack at the end. But don't expect his character to sing any tunes.

The movie runs 84 minutes and was shot in Kanab Canyon, Kanab, Utah.

GRADE: C+/B-