Una pistola che canta

One of the other reviews here summed this up very well: "routine but entertaining B-western with few surprises". It's not going to linger in the mind very long after it's over, but it's pleasant enough to watch while it lasts. It's got a clearly delineated hero and villain and entertaining supporting characters, with the expected brawls and gunfire and impressive rural scenery to take in.

The very stolid George Montgomery plays Cruze, our good guy, who makes the acquaintance of outgoing gambler Fairweather (Frank Faylen, who delivers a nuanced performance, easily the movies' best) while travelling. They arrive in the small town of Marlpine where the mayor (Fay Roope) makes note of Cruzes' fighting abilities and hires Cruze as the towns' marshal. Cruze soon has his hands full dealing with the thuggish Moran gang, a bunch of cattle rustlers led by beefy Tray Moran (Neville Brand, a good antagonist). Cruze falls for local cattle rancher Charlotte Downing (pretty Dorothy Malone) while the amiable Fairweather ends up accused of murder.

As directed by Ray Nazarro, a Western veteran whose career dated back to the silent era, "The Lone Gun" is really no great shakes but its story is easy enough to follow and reasonably enjoyable. Watching some of the actors at work is really the main attraction; also appearing are Skip Homeier as Cass, Charlottes' morally compromised but not really bad brother, Douglas Kennedy and Robert J. Wilke as members of the Moran gang, and Douglas Fowley as the sleazy bartender.

One good thing about these older movies is their often brief running times; for example, this only runs 75 minutes. They very much get to the point and don't waste time. The wrap up is quick and satisfying.

Overall, a fine diversion.

Six out of 10.

In The Lone Gun, George Montgomery rides into town and immediately inherits the job as marshal after he handles the Moran brothers, the local toughs who are into a lot of the crime in the area. The Morans are played by tough guy actors Robert J. Wilke, Douglas Kennedy, and Neville Brand.

Among their criminal enterprises is cattle rustling and they've got a perfect hideout on the spread of brother and sister Dorothy Malone and Skip Homeier. Homeier is into the Morans on some gambling debts and they're holding that over his head.

The other main character in this western is tinhorn gambler Frank Faylen who has a ready wit and a fast shuffle for all occasions. He and Montgomery form a Wyatt Earp/Doc Holiday like partnership. Faylen also took the Morans for plenty so they have it in for him as well.

The Lone Gun is an entertaining western in which all the players acquit themselves well in their performances. The story moves well and the direction is taut. A good one for B western fans.

Cruze--George Montgomery Moran brothers Dorothy Malone--Charlotte

"The Lone Gun" has many familiar story elements. If you've seen a bunch of westerns, you've pretty much seen what will happen here. However, although the film has a lot of familiar film clichés, it is very well done, simple and enjoyable.

George Montgomery plays Cruze--a newcomer in town. Soon after his arrival, he has a run-in with some real creeps--the three Moran brothers. After beating the snot out of all three, the Mayor is so impressed that he offers Cruze the badge. Cruze is hesitant--he's done sheriff work before and was sick of the lack of support from the 'good citizens'.

Cruze's first business if dealing with his friend, the gambler, Fairweather (Frank Faylen). It seems that Fairweather's luck is too good and he's created a lot of enemies. But the Sheriff doesn't arrest him, as they are friends of sorts. His next order of business is looking into reports of cattle rustling. Not surprisingly, the Morans are implicated. However, after the Morans try to kill the Sheriff, break jail and commit some murders, the folks in town are quick to believe the scum-bag bartender (who is in league with the Morans) and refuse to join in on a posse. So, it's up to Cruze to take on all three--and hopefully rescue their prisoner, Fairweather.

A group of bad brothers harassing a town is familiar as is a town of cowards. But Marshall is so good in the lead and the meanest Moran (Neville Brand) is excellent as well that I was able to look past the familiarity of the film.

A good western which brings no surprise at all, routine programer with villains such as Neville Brand and Robert Wilke, and that's a good reason to justify the watch. But be sure to be a western buff first. George Montgomery is a wooden as usual, maybe a bit better than a Dale Robertson but not as much impressing or convincing as a Rory Calhoun. Two other western actors who also could easily have been OK for such a western yarn directed by the specialist of (A - B) western, besides Lesley Selander and some others: Ray Nazarro. I repeat, nothing astonishing here, just a good routine western and time waster.

Better than average b-western from 1954 which sees surly loner George Montgomery hired as the sheriff of a town as he is the only man prepared to stand up to a trio of bad-guy brothers led by a chunky Neville Brand. A brisk pace and competent performances. Frank Faylen stands out as an amiable gambler who befriends Montgomery, and Dorothy Malone provides the obligatory love interest.