Gunman's Walk (1958)

Excellent but underrated film

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

The story idea for "Gunman's Walk" is extremely familiar. It's the story of a powerful and rich family that tamed the land, the Hacketts. Now, decades later, the toughness that helped them during the early days now is simply out of date--especially since young Ed (Tab Hunter) has been routinely enabled by the patriarch, Lee (Van Heflin). Now Ed seems to think he can do anything with absolute impunity--and Lee seems to be giving him the message that this is just fine, as he'll once again save the boy from his own hubris. In other films like "Last Train from Gun Hill", "The Big Country" and "Duel in the Sun", very similar themes abound. So what makes this one different? Well, seeing pretty-boy Tab Hunter playing Ed helps make it unique. Also contrasting him with the 'nice' brother (James Darren) worked well--as did the gritty ending. Overall, while very familiar, it works well.

Good dramatic western. I was skeptical when I saw Tab Hunter's name in the cast. But he does well as the semi-psychotic elder son. As the tyrannical father, Heflin is more animated than usual, having to contain his two restless sons. Seems the two sons represent Dad's conflicting sides, one that he embraces, the headstrong Ed (Hunter). The other, weaker, son, Davy (Darren), he only tolerates, especially when Davy takes up with the half-breed Clee (Grant). So Dad's got his own internal conflict to resolve. At the same time, it seems Ed is trying to out- macho his father by shooting first and thinking later. So Dad's really got his hands full.The script merges the various themes—family rivalries, Indian discrimination—in fairly seamless fashion, along with some vivid supporting roles, Simon and Teal, especially. Of course, for movie buffs, seeing Gidget's boyfriend Jimmy Darren as a cowboy takes some getting used to. But as the more sensitive brother, he does well enough, even if the malt shop never quite leaves. Unfortunately, Kathryn Grant has little more to do than stand around and look pretty, which she does in fetching fashion. And for scenery buffs, there are some arresting panoramas to entertain the eye. My only gripe is Dad's sudden turnaround at the end. But then I guess his internal conflict has finally been resolved, even if violently.All in all, it's an engaging Technicolor western, efficiently directed by cult helmsman Phil Karlson, but without his trademark emphasis on raw violence.

Naughty blond Tab Hunter (as Ed Hackett) and nice brother James Darren (as Davy) clash with not only each other, but also their rancher father Van Heflin (as Lee). This interesting western focuses mainly on Mr. Hunter's character. The dependable Frank Nugent adapted it from a story by new writer Ric Hardman. The thesis appears to show how the philosophy, which built the "old west", does not survive through the next generation; it must adapt, or die. Hunter is disarming at first - which turns out to be exactly the point. He and Mr. Heflin, an asset in most every film, are very good. Their performances "tell" the story.Unfortunately, Mr. Darren hasn't much to do but stand around. His important character might have been better developed by having father Heflin reveal he sired Darren with what he refers to as a "squaw" - then decided the baby could pass as white. This would fit in nicely with the subplot involving attractive Kathryn Grant (as Clee Chouard), passing herself off here as what they are calling a "half breed". She has less to do than Darren does. "Gunman's Walk" misses some opportunities, but what's here is good. Director Phil Karlson and photographer Charles Lawton Jr. create a beautiful landscape for the characters.****** Gunman's Walk (7/15/58) Phil Karlson ~ Tab Hunter, Van Heflin, James Darren, Kathryn Grant

The movie is one of my favorite 1950's westerns mainly because of the story. Give me a great story and some good acting and heck with all those special effects. The characters are very well developed and easy to relate to. The story is not necessarily a brand new one but it comes across like it is; very believable.Tab Hunter and Van Heflin's performances are excellent. Hunter plays a spoiled brat oldest son trying to out-do his fathers accomplishments but always seems to fall short. Each time he can't exceed his dad, he gets a little more bitter until he actually start to hate him.The movie unfortunately does slow down a bit, every time James Darren's part kicks in, not because of James Darren but because his part is the touchy-feely stuff that I get bored with but you might enjoy.Whoever plays the sheriff does a great job convincing the audience that he's a serious law-man trying to do his job but is bending over backwards to accommodate Van Heflin's son Tab Hunter.All the characters were exactly right for his/hers part except for Bert Convey. Convey plays the Indian brother of Kathryn Grant who Tab Hunter rides off a cliff while they are both chasing the same horse. Come on; Convey doesn't look anything like an Indian or even half Indian. Of course, that's just a minor observation that doesn't take anything from the movie.The movie had no choice but to finally end with the show down between Tab Hunter and Van Heflin but even after that it takes a turn which you don't expect and then ends at the right time.