This Was A Good Western For Several Reasons

Hey folks,

Yes, I realize some have voiced the following complaints:

1. This was pretty much a remake of Showdown at Abilene.
2. There was no need for a remake.
3. Jock Mahoney is a strikingly big hunk of a man.
4. Bobby Darin is not a big hunk like Mahoney.
5. Bobby Darin is actually short compared to Mahoney.
6. Critics disliked it in 1967.
7. Darin's pants were rather tight, and my wife commented on an obvious bulge that I did not notice until she pointed it out.

In addition to the complaints noted above, I would also point out all the pistols I noticed were first introduced in 1873, but the film was obviously set at the immediate end of the civil war in 1865. I also did not understand why the director had Darin wear a left handed holster while he was right handed. To make it even worse, After Darin put the left handed holster on, he then put the pistol in the holder backwards so the pistol handle faced forward so he could make a cross body draw with his right hand. It also seemed to me that Darin's lips were too red.

OK, that's it for the dumb stuff. I don't care about it being a remake of another film - nothing new here. I have always liked Jock Mahoney, and he really is a hunk of a man. Bobby Darin is not a hunk like a Mahoney or a Clint Walker, but the same can be said of Audie Murphy who has done a fine job for me as a Western film star. I have always liked Murphy in films, but I think Darin was a more talented actor, and he did a fine job in this film.

I don't care about what critics thought of the film; I liked it. I just watched the film for the first time since I saw it back in 1967, and I enjoyed watching it again. I let Darin's red lips pass, and I ignored his tight pants and the bulge my wife noted. As far as the guns not being period correct, well, that may be a peeve of mine, but it is done so often I am usually able to let it pass also. It really bothers me when they use an 1873 Colt in a film about the Alamo.

It was a good story, and I simply enjoyed it again. After all these years, watching it today was pretty much like seeing it for the first time again. At my age, that is true about most books and films I have read or seen some time ago. I enjoyed the film. While not in my top ten favorite Westerns, I think it is a better than average Western. In addition to that, hearing the film's theme song, Amy, which was written and sung by Bobby Darin was icing on the cake.

There are more reasons for liking this film, and I leave it to others to add their comments.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile