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Classic Westerns From Paramount


© Tim Lasiuta

Feb 28, 2005


Classic Westerns From Paramount

This October sees Paramount release Last Train From Gun Hill and Arrowhead to video stores everywhere. With their vast archives, Paramount is teasing us, one or two movies at a time. But that's okay for fans--who could watch 100 movies a month anyway?

Arrowhead stars Charlton Heston, Jack Palance, Brian Keith, Mary Sinclair, and Katy Jurado in an adaptation of a W R Burnett novel. The plot centers around Texas scout, Ed Bannon, and his distrust of the returning chief, Toriano. Raised by Apache, Bannon knows the prophecy about a man returning from the East to lead the people to battle. Amidst this, the white settlers and army believe that peace will reign. Bannon believes the Apache will not uphold the peace treaty as the US Army prepares to send the Apache to a reservation in Florida. But the big question remains, will Bannon interfere with the move?

Arrowhead is a great film from 1953 that reminds me why westerns were King then. First-class production values, first-class cast, and a story that keeps you watching is what makes Arrowhead an entertaining film. W R Burnett was a hack writer who broke into Hollywood with Little Caesar in the 1930s, and he spent most of his career there working on screenplays and novels that turned into films.

Last Train From Gun Hill is a taut, suspenseful thriller starring two film legends. Anthony Quinn stars as Craig Belden, and Kirk Douglas portrays US Marshall Matt Morgan in his efforts to bring his wife's killer to justice. The only problem is that the killer is the son of his friend Belden, and he will not give him up without a fight. The plan is simple: nab the boy, take him on the 9:00 train out of town. With the down deserted except for Belden and his men, a desperate battle for life and death begins. Wow! Once again, this film shows me why westerns were so popular then. Equivalent to the atmosphere of any new "thriller", these old men could show modern directors a thing or two about film making. Truly a classic, it ranks high on my list of must-watch films.

Both films are available late in October at your local video store, or from the Skull Cave Video Store.

Until the sun sets, I remain

Tim

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
1.   Feb 28, 2005 8:28 AM
like some good viewings. I like westerns, because the good guy usually always wins!

-- posted by jerrib



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