I lupi del Texas

1964's "Young Fury" served as the third of 13 A.C. Lyles B-Westerns from Paramount in the mid 60s, unusual in that the focus is not on the veteran stars, who still receive top billing, but on a variety of newcomers, none of whom went on to any prominence (Kevin O'Neal, younger brother of Ryan, later appeared in Bert I. Gordon's "Village of the Giants"). The top slots go to Rory Calhoun and Virginia Mayo, as Clint and Sara McCoy, the long split parents of young Tige (Preston Pierce), who grew up to become the leader of a gang of toughs who enjoy boozing and running roughshod over every town they invade. Papa Clint knows all too well the folly of what his son has become, as he too ran around with the Dawson gang when he was younger, serving time in prison after turning state's evidence, which has the vengeful Dawson (John Agar) hot on Clint's trail no matter where he goes. In a town already cowed by the 'Hellion Gang,' who aren't so adept at gunplay as they like to boast, Clint bides his time waiting for the inevitable showdown with Dawson, while Sara keeps a watchful eye on her hotheaded boy at the local saloon, ignorant of her true identity (he believes his father put her in her grave). John Agar, 3 for 3 thus far for A.C. Lyles, wears a sneer and a scar on his face, but is still too likable on screen to convincingly portray evil, while Richard Arlen's Sheriff Jenkins fails to survive the proceedings. Joe the Blacksmith is played by a very frail William Bendix, who only lived long enough to do two scenes prior to his death at age 58, while Ace the Bartender provides Lon Chaney with a decent enough cameo role, curiously one of the few townspeople the Hellions don't mess with (he successfully demands payment for a bottle of whiskey!). Like Agar, Chaney too was present in both previous Westerns, "Law of the Lawless" and "Stage to Thunder Rock," and did the next four as well: "Black Spurs," "Town Tamer," "Apache Uprising," and "Johnny Reno."

The general plot is OK but there are too many implausibilities. Apparently oblivious to the extended fusillade as the gang rampage, the townsfolk continue their humdrum activities until they're surprised by a face-to-face confrontation. (The hoodlums' revolvers seemed to be at least 12-shooters.)

One is used to instant romances in films, especially in Westerns, but that between Tige and Sally was particularly unconvincing. Rather than coming over as sweet, she would have been better portrayed as a more of a wanton - one of the saloon girls, perhaps. When the sheriff returned to town after being ignominiously run out, he seemed to bear no animosity; it was even more so with Biff, who continued as a gang member after his very bitter fight with Tige.

Lon Chaney was effective as the bartender. I didn't recognise Virginia Mayo in her mid-forties; she did well as the slightly brassy saloon-owner. It was sad to see William Bendix's very brief appearances in his last film.

The most impressive acting was Rory Calhoun's as he crouched down in the wagon in the final shoot-out, his facial expressions contrasting with the traditional stoicism of the Western hero in a tight situation.

This routine outing from Lyles attempts to deal with social issues-troubled teens. The script is stiff and the action comes slowly, however, as in most A.C. Lyles pictures we have to watch to see who he drug out of the retirement home for one last cameo performance. In spite of the tension it trys to build, this one becomes a yawn.

This western belongs to the AC Lyles Productions, specialized in former western stars recycling; not big big stars, only former lead actors of grabe B pictures or supporting characters of big productions, male or female. For instance Rory Calhoun, Lon Chaney, who were used several times by Lyles. Not all of them were garbage, some were OK, as this one, a good time waster, using young delinquency fashion in a western, but in that topic, this is rather bland.

A.C. Lyles made a huge number of 'geezer westerns' in the 1960s. These were low-budget films featuring many older actors--actors that had long passed their prime. It gave these actors work and saved Lyles on his budget. Interestingly, Lyles tended to use the same actors again and again, as he seemed loyal to these folks--particularly the supporting actors. This film stars Rory Calhoun (43) and Virginia Mayo (45) but also had the VERY familiar Lyles actors, Lon Chaney Jr. (59), Richard Arlen (66) and John Agar (45). BUT, unlike the other geezer westerns, there was an unusual injection of youth in the film, as a gang of very young and hot-headed play a prominent part in the film.

The film begins with a gang of young western punks coming into a town and acting like fools. They pick up another member and learn that the leader's father is in a nearby town. And, since this young man had MAJOR daddy issues, he takes the gang to this town in search of revenge against the father that abandoned him. When they get to town, the gang run about acting tough--chasing away the sheriff and running roughshod over everyone. Eventually, they find the father (Rory Calhoun) but he quickly whips these young pups and shows them who's boss. However, a gang of much, much tougher hombres is coming. What's next? See the film and find out for yourself.

My biggest complaint about the film is the character Biff. Again and again and again, he goes off half-cocked and tries to kill their young leader. And, time and again, Biff gets beaten and the problems with Biff continue. Why didn't he just shoot Biff?! Who would be dumb enough to let Biff live AFTER he tries to stab you with a sword?! Huh?! However, despite this silly character, the film is actually pretty good. I liked the complexity of the characters (other than Biff) and the ending was enjoyable. A bit better than a time-passer.