Gunman's Walk

source: Gunman's Walk

Van Heflin and Tab Hunter both deliver commanding performances in this quite gripping western about a hard as nails, old- time rancher father who wants both his son's to be tough and gun savvy. Trouble soon arises as the son played by Tab Hunter becomes too headstrong while the other son played by James Darren, insists he doesn't need a gun to prove his manhood. Problem is for some reason Van Heflin makes no bones about his approval for the son who is basically spoiled and ruthless. Grim reality sets in when Heflin realizes his son has become an out of control animal with no morals and basically must be put down by him. Although James Darren's role isn't quite as active as Hunters, he finely portrays the kind and gentler brother who falls in love with a half breed, played by Kathryn Grant. Even though the end of Hunters life is violent, there is a very touching scene between Heflin, Darren and Grant to close out the story. It is hard not to give a full synopsis of this powerful story, full of conflicts, tension and violence. I appreciated the story and strongly recommend the reader to watch this western film and decide for themselves.

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

Rancher and old school westerner Lee Hackett is determined to mould his two sons in his own tough gun-fighting image. Something that backfires when his eldest boy, Ed, becomes a murderer. Gunman's Walk on plot synopsis and summaries sounds like your standard B Western fare, and certainly the theme of parental influence is nothing new. But Phil Karlson's film, adapted from Ric Hardman's story, has many things going for it to keep it from being mundane and used solely as a time filler. It fuses together multiple issues, parenting, prejudice and ignorance during a time of change in the old Wild West, it's central character, Lee Hackett (Van Heflin), is seen as the link between old and new. He has primarily lived his life as a shooter and killer of Indians, something that he is not totally committed to shaking off, but here he is now, a most respected and feared member of the community, faced with his two sons both taking different paths. One, Ed (Tab Hunter), is full of bile and gun slinging machismo, represents the old West. The other, Davy (James Darren), doesn't need a gun to feel like a man, his affection for half Indian Clee Chouard (Kathryn Grant) clearly gives a point of reference to the new West. It gives us two sides of the coin with one Lee Hackett perched firmly on the fence, to which Van Heflin gives an emotionally driven standout performance. I wouldn't say that Gunman's Walk is undervalued as such (its director most definitely is though), it's possibly more like it's been tarred with that old saying brush called "B Western", a saying that unfortunately some use as being derogatory. Whilst if the truth be told the support to Heflin is rather flat (both Hunter & Darren are average at best). But some average support acting can't stop Gunman's Walk from being an intelligent and potent genre piece. I mean if only for Heflin and the catchy central song, "I'm A Runaway", then you should see this, but as it is, if you give it your undivided attention you hopefully will find it's really rather good and clever. 7/10

Another western about a son's (Tab Hunter) blind ambition to be the equal of his pioneering father (Van Heflin) in an increasingly civilized west. Saved by director Phil Karlson's talent to move the story along and punctuate it with many exciting scenes, the highlight being a bizarre horserace along the edge of a dangerous gorge, and fine lesser roles by Ray Teal as a lying horsetrader and Mickey Shaughnessy as a deputy whose main job is to keep an eye on Hunter's increasingly unlawful behavior. The familial tension between Hunter, Heflin, and younger brother played by James Darren swings from mildly ridiculous to downright absurd. An at times beautiful film to look at, it comes off well in the end as Hunter gets more and more out of control, drinking, singing, and whoring around on a crazy night, and reaches a fairly stunning conclusion when Heflin is forced to hunt him down.

This is an average and predictable western directed by Phil Karlson. A clash in personalities leads to violence for a rancher(Van Heflin)and his sons(Tab Hunter and James Darren). The boyish Hunter comes into his own in a role that tries hard to prove masculinity. Heflin plays a strong lead while Darren is pedestrian as the meeker of the two brothers. Also in the cast are:Kathryn Grant, Mickey Shaughnessy and Will Wright. The scenery may actually be more interesting than the script.

The plot seemed quite fresh (even after my second viewing), though on analysis it includes familiar themes: tension between brothers, conflict between son and father leading to tragedy. A lot of this is down to the way it portrays the steady - not to say rapid - deterioration of the elder son so that he becomes a murderer; Tab Hunter deserves a lot of credit for this; at first he seems to be just a bit of a tearaway, but at the end he looks really vicious. I like Van Heflin. He was great as the tortured Athos in "The Three Musketeers" and the decent homesteaders in "Shane" and "3.10 to Yuma", but I'm not sure that he carries off being the tough patriarch who won the country from the Indians. Viewing the film in the political correctness of 2007, I blinked at the verbal racial abuse inflicted on the native Americans; two days later, I'm still trying to think of another 1950s Western where it was so overt. (I'm talking of verbal abuse, rather than cowboys killing lots of Indians.) The film proceeds at a pleasing rate, except for the somewhat overlong shooting-at-bottles scene very early on. I don't know if "I'm a Runaway" was ever a "proper" song, but it was quite catching, even when sung by Hunter, and for once I didn't object to a musical interlude in an action film.

A showcase for a spoiled arrogant brat to show what he was like in real life. Its too bad they wasted the talent of so many other actors to bring this outrage to the screen. If for no other reason it should be shown repeatedly to display the utter contempt and disregard for native americans.

The western genre may not be my favourite. Mystery, thriller and animation, though the last being classed as a genre or more as a medium is a cause for debate, are more my thing admittedly, hope that there is not too much negative judgement saying that. Having said that, it has always been a genre that has gotten a big amount of appreciation and complete understanding of its importance and influence and have liked or more a lot of films in it. 'Gunman's Walk' is one of those films certainly. There are to me better westerns out there, ones that are more influential perhaps, but this is incredibly well done and its more psychological slant in how it handles its characters and story makes it an interesting film. Van Heflin was an always watchable actor and what has been seen of Phil Karlson (not enough) has intrigued too. Have not always been as big a fan of Tab Hunter, who did sometimes tend to overact for my tastes but maybe that's just me. Will get the very few criticisms out of the way. The very end is a little too neat and there is a major character change of heart at the end that is too sudden and underdeveloped to properly ring true. However, 'Gunman's Walk' is a very well made film, the scenery is beautiful and has a lot of atmosphere and likewise with the photography. Clever use of symbolism too. Karlson does a great job with the directing too, it is characteristically shrewd and the visuals are not heavy handed. There are more memorable scores about, but the score itself at least fits and doesn't overbear or seem at odds. "I'm a Runway" is something you do remember for a while though and is memorably staged. It's a tightly and thoughtfully scripted film, surprisingly so, the dark psychological quality having enough subtlety to avoid being dreary or preachy. Was expecting pot-boiler quality here but that was not the case. The story is far from routine and had tension and thrills while never playing it safe, that bar scene is quite astonishing. Furthermore, Heflin's performance as a conflicted character is a powerful one and Mickey Shaughnessy does a fine job playing against type. Kathryn Grant is fetching and heartfelt, despite her character being slightly underwritten. The film acting-wise belongs to Hunter, who was never better than here and gives a performance of searing intensity not expected from him that was not overdone. Karlson does well actually reigning him in while also really letting him shine, so meaty was his material and character (in a film with well-rounded characters). Overall, very good. 8/10

Phil Karlson was an erratic director who could sometimes hit one out of the ball park, perhaps without meaning to, as in "Walking Tall." This is one of his better efforts, with some intrinsic ambiguity. There are some interesting moral dilemmas. For instance, you love your son. Would you kill him if he were threatening to kill you? The beetle-browed Van Heflin is splendid, as usual. After one or two stereotyped parts in his early career, he began to bring a great deal of conviction to his roles. He may have given the best performance in "Shane." And he's convincing here, too, as one of those "powerful men around here" who fought the Indians and enforced his own law when none other was available. But now, some years have gone by and that approach is out dated. Heflin doesn't quite seem to realize it. He runs his ranch honestly and he's a man of honor but he remains a racist. The town is now settled peacefully and has a sheriff and a deputy, which Heflin treats with friendly disdain. But his real trouble is with his two sons, reckless and increasingly violent Tab Hunter, and law-abiding tolerant James Darren -- one good, one bad. Heflin approves of the bad son who gets drunk sometimes, has a sweet temper, is quick with his fists, and doesn't like to be bested in any contest. It reminds Heflin of his own youth. The problem is that Hunter's infractions grow beyond the tolerable. The sheriff is an old friend of Heflin's but when Hunter shoots and kills a couple of men, he has to draw the line. So does Heflin, who now sees what he's responsible for. Heflin is fine. Katherine Grant is a half breed who is only around so that the tender-hearted Darren can fall in love with her and Heflin can vent his hatred of Indians. ("That SQUAW!") The supporting cast is fine, a good handful of seasoned professionals. The sons are two handsome young heart throbs of the period. Neither can act. There is handsome young Tab Hunter, outfitted in tight shirts and slacks; and there is handsome young James Darren, in looser clothing as befits someone who doesn't like guns but can love a squaw. Behind the nicely chiseled Aryan face of Tab Hunter lies Arthur Andrew Kelm, a strapping kid from New York who looked good enough to get into the movies although he never uttered a believable word. And behind the troubled yet hopeful eyes of James Darren, we find James William Ercolani, a kid from Philadelphia who looked good enough to get into the movies although he never uttered a believable word. The story's moral complexity lifts it out of the ordinary shoot-'em-up Western. The two heart throbs almost sink it but it survives despite the carnage they've wrought.