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.

George Montgomery has as his source for this western no less a western writer than Zane Grey in Robber's Roost. Two outlaw gangs, one headed by Richard Boone the other by Peter Graves are employed at the ranch owned by brother and sister Bruce Bennett and Sylvia Findlay.

Bennett who is now a paraplegic for reasons not really explained in the story has hired two outlaw gangs as ranch hands, the theory being that one will watch the other especially since Boone and Graves hate each other's guts. It actually works for a while.

Into the mix comes Montgomery who joins up with Boone's gang. He's got his own agenda for mixing in all of this business. And he too is a wanted man.

The Zane Grey story translates well to the big screen. This is definitely one of George Montgomery's better B westerns.

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.

Robbers' Roost is directed by Sidney Salkow and Salkow co-adapts the screenplay from a Zane Grey story with John O'Dea and Maurice Geraghty. It stars George Montgomery, Richard Boone, Sylvia Findley, Peter Graves, Tony Romano, Warren Stevens and Leo Gordon. Music is by Paul Dunlap and cinematography by Jack Draper.

As a huge Western fan it's disappointing to find such a damn fine cast operating in such a mundane Oater. It's not bad by any stretch of the imagination, it's just so ordinary and sits with a host of other 1950s genre pieces that fail to ignite and add something interesting to a standard tale.

Here we have two rival gangs of cowpokes working for one man, the reason for hiring both sets of rivals is tenuous at best. Anyhoo, the two mobs must try and get along enough to get the job done, only a couple of the main players have hidden agendas. While of course right in the middle is a tough gal, creating untold amounts of sexual tension.

The story unfolds in steady sedate fashion, the odd moments of action perking the pace occasionally, with plenty of macho posturing on show, while the ever lingering cloud of intrigue keeps the interest ticking by. Once the agendas are revealed the pic kicks into a higher gear, which builds tidily to the expected finale of few surprises.

The location photography is most pleasant (Durango, Mexico) and the colour lenses are also easy on the eye. But it's ultimately a waste of good casting and a potent premise, leaving us with an average Oater that's more a gap filler than a must see for genre fans. 5/10

Or George Montgomery vs Richard Boone for a nothing special but effective and taut western which will please all western buffs. It is rather rare and made by a good professional: Sidney Salkow who also gave us THE IRON SHERIFF, GUN DUEL IN DURANGO, GREAT SIOUX MASSACRE and many other good and solid westerns. So that's a pretty good reason not to miss it, though nothing exceptional here, just a good drecting and acting, good character symphony too. Richard Boone is far more interesting for me than the wooden George Montgomery in a role that brings nothing at all to his career. So focus on Leo Gordon, Dick Boone and you'll plenty enjoy it.