Robbers' Roost

(1955) Robbers' Roost WESTERN

Adapted from the book by Zane Grey that showcases Tex (George Montgomery) seeking for a little work. But before he does that he checks on a couple of horses, and he sees a couple of them with the markings of RK. Tex manages to get accepted from one group led by Hank Hays (Richard Boone) while making the one angry led by Heesman (Peter Graves) when he was spotted cheating by sticking an ace up his sleeve. Hayes then says he is a foreman for a ranch owned by Bull Herrick (Bruce Bennett). By the time we see him, he is on a wheelchair with Heesman already their waiting for him. And just when you think their was going to be a shoot out between Heesman's men and Hayes Bull puts a stop to it and tells them they would have to work together. It was at this point, Hayes introduces Bull to Tex even telling him he does not care too much about women. And as a result of that info, it was enough to convince him to have him pick up his sister, Helen (Sylvia Findley) from the train station by using the wagon. When Helen arrives she then tries to convince Bull to get back surgery except that he has a ranch he does not want to abandon with the existing conspiracy that may happen between Hayes and Heesman in regarding stealing Bull's cattle.

The fact that it was based on a novel by Zane Grey that has never been made into a movie is enough for me to give this movie a thumbs up. Despite the original concept it bogs down three quarters of the way for I love the way it starts the way it ended there is no strong payoff, just a revelation.

That line, declared by at the end by a lawman, sums up the entire film, which belies its lively title.

Despite taking an original novel by Zane Grey (already filmed once before in 1933), a good cast and a stash of Eastmancolor stock all the way to Monterey for the use of veteran local cameraman Jack Draper, the result is tinny, talky and dull, the colour muddy and dull. The final shoot-out against a majestic backdrop of rocks takes an awfully long time a-coming and when it finally does is needlessly drawn out (even having a character run out of bullets at a critical moment to prolong it still further).

In a better film Richard Boone's grinning villain could have been really memorable; but this isn't that film.

This movie wasted a good cast and film stock.

George Montgomery and Richard Boone should have switched roles. Boone would have brought out the subleties of a good man masquerading as a bad guy.

Montgomery's career might have profited by playing a slick bad guy.

Who the heck was Sylvia Findley? why was she given the female lead? You've got Montgomery, Boone, William Hopper and Peter Graves all lusting after her. I don't see what the big deal was.

It also makes little use of Leo Gordon. When you have a big, intimidating guy like that, use him! He made a bigger impression opposite John Wayne in "Hondo" or as a convict in "Riot In Cell Block 11".

They should have given the guy with the guitar some better songs to sing.

At least the colors were good.

Jim "Tex" Wall (George Montgomery) is a man with a hidden agenda, he is after the men who raped his wife and stole his horses and nothing will stop him. When he arrives in a small town he joins up with a group of cattle rustlers lead by Hank Hays (Richard Boone) who are in constant battle with rival rustlers lead by Heesman (Peter Graves). But these two gangs find themselves in the unusual position of having been hired by recently crippled rancher "Bull" Herrick (Bruce Bennett) who figures they will be too busy making sure the others don't get a jump on them that they won't be interested in stealing his cattle. But it brings Tex in to contact with Herrick's younger sister Helen (Sylvia Findley) who whilst opposed to her brother's plans falls for Tex until she discovers a wanted poster with his face on it.

George Montgomery, an underrated western star, is really good in the role as the stranger with a vendetta and Richard Boone fit the Bill as the slimy and lusty villain. It's a well-made western with grand scenery and a rousing finale that is unleashed after the narrative is unravelled, maybe a bit too laboriously at times, and it ends satisfactory. A solid old-fashioned entertainment.

I do not know very much about Director Sidney Salkow, but his films have not impressed me, including ROBBERS' ROOST which I find thoroughly mediocre.

Despite potentially beautiful vistas, including a rock hanging perilously high over other rocks, Jack Draper's cinematography looks shabby and pedestrian. Stunts are unmemorable, too.

I did not like the acting. Perahps because of the unbelievably stilted screenplay, lawman George Montgomery plays a cattle rustler joining two other rustler gangs, led by Richard Boone and Peter Graves respectively. Montgomery comes across as thoroughly wooden, Boone contrasts with an annoyingly over the top performance, Graves inexplicaby tries to cheat Boone at cards, and just keeps blundering right up to his stupid death. Pretty Sylvia Findley and her father, paralitically played by former great supporting actor Bruce Bennett, are the victims of the rustling gangs. Incredibly, Bennett's theory is that by engaging thieves his head of cattle are safe because there is so much dis-honor among thieves! In other words, if you want your property protected, keep pumping in crooks and it will be safe as a state bank... what BS, the more the merrier as they empty your goods!

That shows the (artificial) intelligence of the script by John O'Dea off the original book by Zane Grey.

I doubt I will rewatch this dud. 5/10.