La freccia sulla croce

This film is somewhat of s hidden gem. I serendipitously happened upon it while searching YouTube for an old movie to comfort me on a particularly cold evening. I wont be placing any onus on storyline. Viewers can judge a film for themselves by simply watching them without the prejudice of subjective review. It's an Independent (Republic) Film. Standard Western fare, Produced by Mr. Rooney himself. It has fantasic production values and alot of good humour. One early scene, Rooney's rookie preacher walks into a town bar and is cordially invited by locals for a free drink. He asks for milk. It's old school funny but hey it's an old school film...top cast...a genuine little gem. Reviews and ratings is cyberspace can be cruel. It's more a reflection of modern humanity than the quality of this lovely, black and white, 1955 production, which is one that i am so happy to have found. Mickey Rooney was a masterful performer. His character and star quality shines very brightly here. Im clearly a fan...however...if this film were anything other than what this review purports, i wouldn't be doing anyone reading this review, or the film itself any service.

While this is pretty standard 50s western fare, it allowed Mickey Rooney to try a characterization somewhat different from his more exaggerated portrayals in the Andy Hardy series or in comedies such as The Atomic Kid. I am not a fan of westerns myself, but having been raised in the 50s, this was more than nostalgia, it was comfort viewing! Mickey and Hugh O'Brian both do competent jobs, and the supporting cast is composed of many familiar faces. If you are fed up with overt sex, out of control profanity, in-your-face violence, then this is just what you need. Gentle, entertaining, and upbeat, I recommend it for a rainy day or to unwind from a stressful one.

This story from Republic Pictures begins with Reverend Macklin arriving in Lodestone, a town in the old west. It seems that decades ago, the Reverend's father also tried to set up a church in this town but was killed by Indians. Now things are more peaceful in the town but the nearby saloon keeper (Hugh O'Brian) is not thrilled that the reverend is planning on rebuilding the church next door. Other problems that come into play during the film is establishing a relationship with the local tribe, a woman is injured and might never walk again and there's a cave-in.

I was surprised that I liked this film. I think I enjoyed its gentle amiable spirit as well as the way the preacher just showed decentness and kindness to everyone instead of condemnation. A most unusual change of pace for Mickey Rooney in the lead but a film worth seeing.

For those of us who saw this decidedly minor film on its initial release during the fall of 1955, there were several shockers early on in the brief 73 minute film, which was used to round out the second half of a double bill in less than prestigious theatres. First, as Mickey Rooney (who is supposed to look considerably younger than he does) journeys to a small out of the way cowtown (he's an idealistic frontier preacher), even the youngest among us burst out in laughter when we see an airplane in the sky. What we were too naive to know at the time was that on low budget features like this, there was only enough time, budget, and film stock for one take - so if something like a plane happened to fly by in clear sight of the camera, it ended up in the finished film. Moments later, when Mickey did arrive, there supercool but also supersleazy owner of the saloon was played by none other than . . . the same man who incarnated wholesome teetoltaler Wyatt Earp on TV every Tuesday night, Hugh O'Brian. Eventually, we settled down to enjoy this mild oater in which Mickey wins over Hugh in good time and the sinful saloon gives way to a nice church. Undemanding in all respects, this film will be most enjoyed, if and when it shows up on some nostalgic movie channel or VHS/DVD, by those of us who loved it, all flaws aside, way back when.

I'm not always the greatest fan of Rooney but in this movie he is an absolute delight. Understated, enthusiastic, he absolutely nailed this characterisation and this under-rated little Western is a hidden gem due to this. You root for him, you really do and Rooney's performance makes the whole thing believable.