Better Late Then Never

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This could have been an excellent western movie had they not tried to be so cheap in production. Instead of filming on location with vaulting mountains and wide open scenes, we are left with filming on a back lot with very little scenery and projected background landscape. And with such gifted actors in most parts it was puzzling on why they put stiff actor Bill Elliott as the lead man. I know he has played the lead in many B-westerns but with the cast of actors in this film, he stood out like a sore thumb.But passing on Elliott's mannequin performance, the rest of the cast seemed to flow effortless and made the story entertaining to watch. There was a few spots hard to watch but overall this film provided enough interest throughout to keep the viewer on the edge of the seat right to the end of the movie. Was actually expecting very little from this movie but was pleasantly surprised. This is a film that you ask yourself, What could have been?

Cowboy hero Wild Bill Elliott in his last movie for Republic Pictures. A stalwart of the genre, Elliott plays Shadrach Jones, a Texas State Policeman who gives up his badge to hunt down the man that shot his brother in the back, while robbing him of money set aside to purchase an Arizona ranch. Shad believes that the man he is looking for will be working on a cattle drive for Cap Mackellar(Walter Brennan). Jones takes on the job as trail boss with intent of finding the guilty man. Revenge or retribution? Justice or payback? Actually a B Western with a top notch cast making THE SHOWDOWN a must see. The cast also includes: Marie Windsor, Harry Morgan, William Ching, Jim Davis, Leif Erickson and Rhys Williams.

Like many of Republic's B Westerns of this period, this was shot on sound stages with back-projection and process-work standing in for the big blue yonder once so much a part of the western.Nonetheless, like 'Hellfire' (1949), also scripted by the McGowans, this was a fitting end to Elliott's long stay with Republic. The interesting script has Elliott on the trail of the murderer of his brother and joining a wagon train knowing that one of the men is the guilty one. In an attempt to find out which one, he pushes men and cattle beyond their natural endurance. Brennan, cast against type as the quiet and friendly man who is finally gored to death, is the guilty one and Windsor is the saloon keeper who buys an interest in the herd and travels with it.The direction is as eloquent as the screenplay and elliott plays his forceful role to the hilt.Phil Hardy

You might want to take a peek at this Western.Here's what I liked:Very unusual appearance by Harry Morgan as a tough henchman. Morgan spent most of his career playing buffoons.Pretty well executed film noir technique, which is odd to see in the Western format. The film has an effective hard edge to it, especially considering how low budget it is.I always like watching Walter Brennan play against type.Here's what I didn't like:There's nothing really Western about that movie except costumes. This is an urban detective who-dun-it simply transposed to a Western setting.Cheap production, completely back lot, William Eliot is not a very good lead.Ridiculous stereotyping of Mexican character.