Antonio Steffen stars as a gunman (a former sheriff) infiltrating an outlaw gang in a quest to avenge his wife’s murder — a fairly standard spaghetti western plot — in this early entry in the genre, whose original title was Una bara per lo sceriffo. Reasonably entertaining, but unmemorable. Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this …
Read the full post →“<em>A Coffin for the Sheriff</em> (1965)”
At the end of the First World War, two demobbed soldiers, Ken “Hell-Fire” Austin (Ken Maynard) and his pal Bouncer (Nat Pendleton), head back west, where Ken has bragged he is well-known. It is soon revealed that he engaged in a bit of hyperbole, and before long, the boys find themselves working on a chain …
Read the full post →“<em>Hell-Fire Austin</em> (Tiffany, 1932)”
In the last film for the Rough Riders trio of Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and Raymond Hatton, rancher Ma Turner (Sarah Padden) turns to the boys for help to stop the rustling of cattle. As usual, there’s some undercover work, though this time around Buck doesn’t take on that task. Tim, however, pretends to be …
Read the full post →“<em>Riders of the West</em> (Monogram, 1942)”
A gang of outlaws is terrorizing ranchers into selling their land and moving away — but why? U.S. Marshal Johnny Mack Brown is called in by the local sheriff to put a stop to the depredations, figure out the reason, and identify and capture the crooks. The story moves along at a good clip, and, …
Read the full post →“<em>Law of the Panhandle</em> (Monogram, 1950)”
Götz George stars as gunfighter Mace Carson, who agrees to take on the job of marshal in a town where outlaws are targeting the mine of crippled rancher Sam Martin (Pietro Tordi), whose son disappeared years ago, and also disrupting the business of freighter Dave Walton (Hilario Flores), who is murdered for his effort to …
Read the full post →“<em>Sie nannten ihn Gringo</em> (1965)”
Treasury agent Steve Waring (Charles Starrett) is looking to recover $100,000 hidden by deceased outlaw Lucky Thorpe (Al Bridge). Thorpe’s daughter (Virginia Hunter) is likewise hoping to find the money and return it, while Thorpe’s second wife, conniving Clara Brent (Mary Newton), seeks to recover the loot for herself. Fortunately, Steve’s alter ego, the Durango …
Read the full post →“<em>Last Days of Boot Hill</em> (Columbia, 1947)”
Marshal Sandy Hopkins (Raymond Hatton) is framed for the murder of town bigwig John Dodge (Jack Daley), and it’s up to the other two Rough Riders, Tim McCall (Tim McCoy) and Buck Roberts (Buck Jones) to clear him, aided in their efforts by Sandy’s niece (Luana Walters) and Dodge’s son (Dave O’Brien). An enjoyable entry …
Read the full post →“<em>Down Texas Way</em> (Monogram, 1942)”
One of many movies trading on the name of the popular character Django for marketing purposes, Django Kills Softly (original title: Bill il taciturno) stars George Eastman as Bill, a gunslinger who sets out to avenge the man who had hired him for protection. Bill thus takes on two gangs — those who murdered his …
Retired battler Sacramento (Ty Hardin) is the target of murderous attacks by his enemy in this inconsistent and finally not particularly funny western, originally titled Sei iellato, amico hai incontrato Sacramento, with dollops of comedy. There’s a fair amount of action, but it just doesn’t add up to much. Mildly recommended for genre fans. Otto …
Read the full post →“<em>You’re Jinxed, Friend, You’ve Met Sacramento</em> (1972)”
Famed outlaw Dusty Morton has apparently resurfaced after a decade, and crooks in the area are eager to find where Morton hid his loot. Morton’s son, now 13, does not believe his father was such a bad man, though he has little support for such a positive view, save for the opinion of the town …
Read the full post →“<em>Riders of the Lone Star</em> (Columbia, 1947)”
