TERROR IN A TEXAS TOWN
US, 1958, 77 minutes, Black and white.
Sterling Hayden, Sebastian Cabot, Carol Kelly, Eugene Martin, Ned Young, Victor Millan.
Directed by Joseph H. Lewis.
Terror in a Texas Town has a strong reputation as a significant and well-made western. Its stars, Sterling Hayden and Ned Young, had been subject of the witch-hunt during the black list, McCarthy? era. The film has echoes of High Noon and other stories about individuals wanting support from the community and failing. This film, however, by 1958 has a happier ending.
Director is Joseph H. Lewis, director of B-budget films but, again, with a growing reputation. His acclaimed films include My Name is Julia Ross, Gun Crazy, The Big Combo.
The film has conventional material, a land baron who wants to oust the small landowners. However, time has passed, and there is a discovery of oil on the properties. Sebastian Cabot is the landowner, Ned Young is a black-clad gunfighter who murders people who won't move and who finally has to have a showdown with Sterling Hayden, playing a Swedish sailor, armed only with a harpoon. There are strong supporting performances, the black and white photography and camera style are quite impressive, making this small-budget and brief film one of the better westerns.
1. The popularity of this kind of story? Land barons? The more modern approach of the discovery of oil? The role of the gunfighters?
2. The black and white photography, the locations for the western town, the camera angles, the editing? Musical score?
3. The title - a touch overwrought for the modesty of the film and its themes?
4. The town itself, pioneers, the squatters and the landowners, the discovery of oil in Texas, gunfighters and shootouts, saloons and bar girls, the ordinary and hardworking owners of small plots of land? Their fear, overcoming their fear, standing up to the tyrants?
5. Mc Neill, his wanting the land, his lavish lifestyle, the hotel, his secretary? His buying off people? Calling in the gunslinger to shoot the Swede, to give an example? His encounter with Hansen, trying to buy him off, insulted? His not wanting him dead, wanting the gunfighter to put him on the train? The final confrontation, the gunfighter wanting a partnership, killing McNeill?
6. The gunfighter, dressed in black, professional, his past work for Mc Neill, his commission, his stances and attitudes, with Molly, his treatment of her? The confrontation with the Swede, the sweet talk, shooting him? His later confronting Merada, Merada standing up to him and his shooting him? His worries about finding a man who had no fear? Taking Hansen to see Mc Neill, listening to the interchange, organising the clash with Hansen in the hotel, putting him on the train? His stand-up to Hansen, challenging him, harpooned?
7. George Hansen, the sailor, sending money to his father, his father and his integrity, the murder? Hansen and the discussions in the hotel, the gunfighter telling him what had happened, the discussion with Mc Neill, his answer to the sheriff, having rights, calling for justice? Going to the property, the Merada boy, with the Meradas, finally finding out the truth? His talk about not having fear and this inspiring Merada? His discussions with Molly, finding out the truth? The confrontation, his clothes being thrown around, ripping his mother's shirt? On the train, walking back? The townspeople, in the church? Molly and her urging them to help? The confrontation and his harpooning the gunfighter?
8. The ordinary people, the burning of the property, the destruction of the cattle, thinking they should move out, urging them to work as a group? Being bought off by Mc Neill? Going to the church, deciding to stand by Hansen, following him?
9. Mc Neill's henchmen, their brutality, the taunts for Hansen? Molly, her being stranded, a dead end life, the gunfighter's girl, wanting something better, impressed by Hansen, coming to the church to warn them?
10. The sheriff, his being bought by Mc Neill, finally taking his money?
11. Themes of pioneering in Texas, the past era of land ownership and cattle? The discovery of oil? The tycoons and greed? Individuals and the small people standing up to oppression?
