FOUR FOR TEXAS.

US, 1963, 124 minutes, Colour.
Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Anita Ekberg, Ursula Andress, Charles Bronson, Victor Buono.
Directed by Robert Aldrich.

Four for Texas is an enjoyable Western romp. Directed by Robert Aldrich with a light touch, Aldrich is more noted for his serious films. His Westerns include Burt Lancaster's Apache and U1zana's Raid. This film has been likened to his adventure comedy Vera Cruz with Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and their "rat pack" were popular in films during the early 60s - especially with numerals in their name, eg. Oceans Eleven, Robin and the Seven Hoods, Sergeants Three. Charles Bronson appears as villain and there is humour in the casting of Anita Ekberg and Ursula Andress as the sex symbol heroines. Even the Three Stooges get a guest part.

1. An engaging and enjoyable Western? The popular style of the 60s? Now?

2. Colour photography, locations? The stars and their style and humour? (The Three Stooges and their appearance?)? The two women - the archetypal sex symbols of the 60s cinema? The score, the songs?

3. The tone established by the chase? Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in such a chase, shooting, city corruption, heroes and villains, heroines, gambling, shoot-outs, money, romance and success? The light touch?

4. The tone established by the chase? Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in such a chase? The humour of the repartee, the situation of the money, Matson and his pursuit? Gun skill? The introduction to Zach and his role in the town, with the money? Jack and his finally getting the money and giving it to charity, banking it? The ingredients for conflict, humorously done?

5. The portrait of the town and its detail, the bankers, Burden as villain? Deals? The gambling, the attitude of Burden over the townspeople? His ruling of the Board? His eye for the women? His plans, insurance, sinking the ships? His playing of the double game and his being defeated?

6. Matson and Charles Bronson's style of villain? In the chase, the shoot in the hotel, the battle at the end and his death on the wheel?

7. Frank Sinatra's style as Zach? The man-about-town and yet his mistakes? His romance with Elya? His deals, his henchmen, suspicions and fights?

8. The contrast with Jack and his genial approach? The buying of the boat? The encounter with Max and the romance? the sex comedy and the ironies? The transformation of the boat? The deals? The support from Angel?

9. The build-up to the confrontation, the three groups and conflict, the opening night, the gambling?

10. The strategy of the fight, the guns, the women and their influence? The final gun battle?

11. The heroines - sex symbols and they way they were presented?

12. A story of Texas and a humorous look at the American heritage?