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This little B-Western with James Arness in one of his last non-Gunsmoke starring roles seems to have been heretofore almost forgotten, judging by the lack of ratings and reviews here. I recently happened upon it on Netflix and decided to give it a try. While perhaps not deserving of a spot among the great westerns, it surprised me because it was truly quite good and deserves more attention than it's received.

The plot, in short, involves Arness as one of three men who decide to hold up a bank. Arness is injured in the robbery, and subsequently left behind by his compatriots and, reluctantly, by his girl as well (Angie Dickinson, looking radiant in her first billable role). After being caught, convicted, and serving time for his part in the hold-up, he goes seeking his "friends" and his girl, bent on revenge.

The biggest thing that struck me about this little "BATJAC" western was the steady, deliberate pacing of the story and the focus on characters more so than on shoot-em-up, chase-em-down action. There's more tension than action (in fact, one could legitimately call it a suspense film), and I appreciated the refreshing change of pace from most B westerns (or westerns in general, for that matter). Besides, at a slim 74 minutes, it simply can't drag on forever.

This is a very thoughtful western in many respects. Characters are given much more life than you might expect. In particular, we see some interesting interaction between Sheriff Morton (Emile Meyer) and his deputy (Harry Carey, Jr.). The sheriff, who obviously is well past his gunslinging years, handles violence in his town sagely, keeping a close watch on events, while not putting himself in a position where his age would certainly compromise his life or his ability to do his job.

Again, it's not a perfect movie, but I was quite pleasantly surprised, and it's probably one of the best b-westerns I've seen. I recommend it.

(1956) Gun the Man Down WESTERN

Co-produced and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen that has Remington 'Rem' Anderson (James Arness) seeking for retribution to the two men of Matt Rankin (Robert J. Wilke) and Ralph Farley (Don Megowan) and the one woman Jan/ Janice (Angie Dickinson) who was supposed to be his love interest, for abandoning him after he was shot after a successful robbery of $40,000. After Rem spends a year in jail, he later finds out by former outlaw, Billy Deal they fled to a town called "Gunther Wells". And by the time he arrives, the first thing he does is he retrieves his horse, finding out at the same time, Matt Ranken had bought himself a saloon. One of the obstacles is the fact that a sheriff (Emile Meyer) and his deputy, Lee (Harry Carey Jr.) is there to enforce everything is kept on the and up and up.

Three outlaw buddies rob a bank, but one of them is wounded. His two partners and his girlfriend take his share of the loot and run off, leaving him to be captured by the sheriff. Years later, after he gets out of prison, he goes in search of his double-crossing partners and his faithless girlfriend.

Although not widely known today, this is a great western and the precursor to "Gunsmoke" in many ways. But what really got me was how much it walks the line between a western and a gangster movie. While it is completely a western, there is a certain element that makes me think gangster: rather than ratting out his friends, a criminal is going to take care of them himself. That is very gangster.

Interestingly, the producer was John Wayne's brother. Wayne's involvement in westerns is widely known, but how many people know his brother was also involved in his own way?

Okay in my book for a B western. One of my favorite actors. Later starring in Gunsmoke.

Simple and plain Western with usual ingredients . This oater has a good cast and enough action , but in low budget. It deals with a gang of crooks planning a robbing at the Palace City Bank that goes wrong. The tough thieves : Robert J. Wilke , Don Megowan , James Arness and his faithless girlfriend : Angie Dickinson , take his share of the cash and ride to their cabin . They escape but James Arness is injured and left by his colleagues who run away with the loot . Then a posse arrives and they take him prisoner. Later on , being sentenced , condemned and once completed sentence he is released . Like an avenging angel he terrorized the west in search of the killers who had stolen his name , money and his woman. After that , James Arness seeks vengeance , and finally locates them in Gunther Wells where rules a brave sheriff , Emile Meyer, and his deputy , Harry Carey Jr. At the end rivals contend for each other in their opposing characters .

Entertaining Western including action , thrills , go riding , shot'em up and a peculiar love story between James Arness and Angie Dickinson . An agreeable and slight tale , almost rudimentary , though full of cliches , as the script lines too often settle for crude routine ; however , packing some surprises . It contains an atmospheric and evocative cinematography in black and white by William H Clothier who photographed several John Wayne films , as well as evocative score by Henry Vars . This oater is an acceptable and passable western that relies heavily on ordinary situations : treason, fights , shootouts , pursuits and final confrontation . Thrilling and enjoyable flick deals with a wounded robber who betrayed by his double-crossing partners , serving long time in prison and being released , subsequently seeking "vendetta", this issue to be a common plot in the subgenre Spaghetti Western of the sixties . Here stands out a pretty good main cast and support cast formed by notorious actors . James Arness plays efficiently as Remington, a gunslinger of formidable physical and the regular baddie Robert J. Wilke who is awesome as Matt Rankin . Angie Dickinson plays a saloon girl , as usual ,receiving introducing credit , being her first credited movie . Other important secondaries appearing are the followings : Emile Meyer ,Frank Fenton, Don Megowan , Pedro González Gonzalez and Harry Carey Jr , John Ford's regular actor .

The motion picture was professionally directed by Andrew V McLagen , though shot in very short budget and in nine days .This was the first Western movie of many directed by Andrew and his film debut . He directed John Wayne in several films, including the successful Undefeated , Hellfighters and Chisum . He was expert on all kinds of genres , as Westerns as Chisum , Shenandoah , McLintock , The Blue and Gray , The way west , Bandolero, undefeated , Cahill Marshall , Rare breed . And he directed 96 episodes of Gunsmoke reuníting again James Arness. He also made Wartime movies as Dirty Dozen next mission , Sea wolves , Wild Geese, The Devil Brigade , Breakthrough , among others. Rating 6/10. The movie will appeal to Western buffs .