L'ultima sfida

Out of Warner Bros, Fort Worth is directed by Edwin L. Marin and written by John Twist. It stars Randolph Scott, David Brian, Phyllis Thaxter, Helena Carter, Dickie Jones & Ray Teal. A Technicolor production, the exteriors are shot on location at Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles & Warner Ranch, Calabasas, California. Photography is by Sidney Hickox & David Buttolph scores the music.

Former gunfighter Ned Britt (Scott) sets up shop as a newspaper printer in Fort Worth, Texas. But he may have to come out of gunman retirement since a gang of outlaws are intent on running things their way. Not only that but Ned is falling for Flora Talbot (Thaxter), the fiancée of a former friend, Blair Lunsford (Brian).

This was actually Edwin L. Marin's last film before he would sadly pass away the same year. No more than a jobber director, he was, however, very capable in crafting a Western story; particularly when Scott was his leading man. Such is the case here. On first glance the plot has that familiar and unadventurous look to it. Hell, sometimes all we want from our 50s B grade Westerns is Randy Scott taking up arms and slaying some ruffians. Yet Twists' story throws up a number of interesting points of worth, notably the core weapon in the narrative of the pen being mightier than the sword (or 6 shooter in this instance). It also launches itself from an attention grabbing tragedy, from which Scott's character really has to take stock of things once he gets in town.

True enough to say this is more talky and character forming than the many "yeehaw" histrionic based Western B's from the 50s. But this does have enough adrenalin boosting scenes to see off any charge of it being mundane. Train robberies, a stampede, shoot outs and plenty of shifty stalkings put in an appearance. While it also has some extremely cool moments to digest: a switch gun manoeuvre between Scott & Brian is cheekily great; and the sight of Scott finally strapping on his pearl handled guns is akin to Clark Kent donning the red underpants and cape. Seriously. Technically there's some stock footage that only itches rather than hinders (if you have seen Dodge City it's déjà vu), but by and large this is a gorgeous production; one that's got a tremendous transfer on to DVD.

Attention to detail in its narrative and smartly acted by the principals, Fort Worth is well worth the time of the discerning Western fan. 7/10

With Warner Brothers having done a western entitled Dallas a year earlier with Gary Cooper it only seemed right that it produce another western with the title of that other Texas twin city, Fort Worth. Starring in this one is Randolph Scott and directing it is Edwin L. Marin who collaborated with Scott on a few other previous films. This was Marin's last film as a director. Not a noteworthy stylist, Marin nevertheless was able to do a competent and entertaining product.

Scott's in a strange occupation for him in a western, he's a newspaper editor, a partner with Emerson Treacy with Dick Jones working for them. They're picking up stakes and going to Texas and decide to settle in the city of Fort Worth which is having problems with a lawless element led by cattle trail boss Ray Teal. An old friend of Scott's, David Brian is the big mover and shaker in Fort Worth and he'd like to see a railroad come through and a meat packing plant right in the town like Chicago. That would eliminate folks like Teal and he's not about to see that happen.

Scott has an interesting character, he's become pacifistic after war service and thinks that the power of the pen will do more than the six gun. But when law and order breaks down Randy straps on the six guns like Jimmy Stewart in Destry Rides Again to restore it as surely as Stewart did in Bottleneck.

Brian though has a strange character, even after the end of the film you don't know quite what to make of him. He says he wants law and order, but tolerates an ineffectual sheriff in Chubby Johnson and allows Teal to run roughshod. Many in the cast want to know just what is his game and in the end we never really find out. Makes for an interesting piece of cinema.

Fort Worth is an interesting western with far more plot than most of these six gun shoot 'em ups have. It is one of Randolph Scott's best westerns from the Fifties, you'll become a fan of Randolph Scott after seeing Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is fast-moving, well cast, well acted, and well executed all the way around. Scott actually has two different mentors, one Phyllis Thaxter's late father and the other a high-minded newspaperman who is knifed by a thug. He uses both of them to build and transition his character in a more layered performance than typical of the normally stoic Scott. Thaxter is terrific in every scene she's in, but better still is Brian as the magnate who persuades former boyhood friend Scott to stay in Fort Worth. He is part-villain and part-hero and extremely interesting and credible throughout. The plot is atypically complex with many threads all woven together well and wrapped up in a satisfying manner. Dick Moore (former child actor Dickie) is terrific as Scott's newspaperman who helps Scott keep alive the spirit of Ben, their mentor publisher. The thugs are all convincingly ruthless and interesting, including Ray Teal as the leader, supported by Bob Steele, Paul Picerni, and Michael TOlan among others. The color cinematography and production values are also first-rate and the pacing is perfect.

If you enjoy Randolph Scott westerns, don't miss this superior entry.

"Fort Worth" is another of those fast moving 80 minute westerns that Randolph Scott turned out in the 1950s.

Scott plays Ned Britt a newspaperman who has laid down his guns in favor of the pen. With his partner Ben Garvin (Emerson Treacy) and assistant Luther Wick (Dick Jones), he is going to San Antone to open a newspaper. Along the way, an old flame, Flora Talbot (Phyllis Thaxter) joins the wagon train. We learn that she plans to marry Britt's old pal Blair Lunsford (David Brian) in the town of Fort Worth.

Gabe Clevenger (Ray Teal) and his gang of cattle thieves hear of Britt's return. One of his thugs (Zon Murray) starts a stampede when he tries to goad Britt into a fight. In the stampede, a young boy Toby Nickerson (Pat Mitchell) is killed. Stopping off in Fort Worth, Lunsford convinces Britt to start his paper in Fort Worth as the railroad is coming and the town will prosper as a result.

Britt learns that Lunsford has been acquiring land around the town dirt cheap and suspects that he is in league with Clevenger. When Garvin is murdered by Clevenger assassin Castro (Paul Picerni), he straps on the sheriff's guns and takes out the killers.

It turns out that Lunsford is not in cahoots with Clevenger but has aspirations to become governor. Britt intends to stop him. This leads to the final showdown and..........................................

As in most of Scott's westerns, his is supported by a fine cast of veteran players. In addition to those already mentioned, the cast includes, Michael (billed as "Lawrence" here) Tolan, Bob Steele and Kermit Maynard as Clevenger hench men, Chubby Johnson as the spineless sheriff, Walter Sande as his deputy, Helena Carter as Amy Brooks, Lunsford's ex flame and Bud Osborne as what else, a stagecoach driver.

A not great but nonetheless enjoyable western.

Better than average script-writing, good production values and some nice twists helps Fort Worth rise above the usual B-western effort.

The plot is somewhat reminiscent of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, though it precedes it by a decade!

Randolph Scott, having hung up his guns following the Civil War, returns to his hometown of Fort Worth to start a newspaper. His first target is a group of murderous cowboys who killed a boy in a deliberate stampede. Soon he begins to suspect he's being manipulated by his old friend, a shifty businessman who would benefit greatly from the elimination of the cowpokes.

David Brian gives a good performance as Scott's friend/nemesis and the film does a good job at keeping his character ambiguous right up till near the end.