Infamousta
brilliant actors, brilliant editing
Borgarkeri
A bit overrated, but still an amazing film
FirstWitch
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
Guillelmina
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
bsmith5552
"Four Guns to the Border" is one of those entertaining little 80 minute westerns that Universal turned out in the the 50s. The leads in those films were largely interchangeable (i.e. Audie Murphy, Jeff Chandler, Rory Calhoun, Jock Mahoney etc.)Calhoun stars in this one as a largely unsympathetic character Cully, a bank robber, trying for that one big score. Riding with him are Bronco (George Nader), Dutch (John McIntyre) and Yaqui (Jay Silverheels). On the trail the boys meet former outlaw Simon Bhumer (Walter Brennan playing it straight this time) and his comely young daughter Lolly (Colleen Miller). In spite of Simon's warning, sparks begin to fly between Cully and Lolly.But first thing first. Cully it seems has a past with Sheriff Jim Flannery (Charles Drake) and his attractive wife Maggie (Nina Foch). He uses this past relationship to goad Flannery into a fight as a diversion to the bank hold-up. Then the gang flees into Apache territory where of course they meet up with the Bhumers and............."Four Guns to the Border" was directed by actor Richard Carlson who does a creditable job but allows Calhoun's character to find redemption in the usual contrived happy Hollywood ending though. Brennan is good as the protective father as is McIntyre who was a past master at stealing a scene. Nestor Paiva also has a nice bit as "Greasy".An entertaining little western.
Spikeopath
Four Guns to the Border is directed by Richard Carlson and collectively written by George Van Marter, Franklin Coen and Louis L'Amour. It stars Rory Calhoun, Colleen Miller, George Nader, Walter Brennan, Nina Foch, John McIntire, Charles Drake and Jay Silverheels. Music is by Joseph Gershenson and cinematography by Russell Metty. A little ole devil of an Oater is this. The outlaw machinations and manoeuvres of Rory Calhoun's gang of robbers is kind of secondary to the sex angle of the plotting. The pic is ripe with sexual frustrations, born out by Colleen Miller's blossoming from tomboy daddies girl into a sex-kitten. There is nary a moment missed to sexualise the stunning Miss Miller, she gets wet a lot, and looks amazing with it, she suggestively licks a candy stick, and on it goes. It would appear on the surface that these are cheap tactics to put horny Western fan's bums on seats, but there's a relevant thread running through the piece. That of awakenings, or growing up if you like. Be it Miller's discovering and curiosity about her sexuality, to the outlaw gang who seem perpetually stuck in a world of youthful exuberance, the constant "growing up" theme purposely nudging all observers. "We haven't seen an Indian all day" "Sometimes that's when they're closest" Lest I forget to mention this is an action movie as well! Standard Oater conventions do apply in the action stakes, with Calhoun (a very under valued actor in the Western pantheon) exuding machismo at every opportunity. There's Apache attacks, fisticuffs, shoot-outs, deaths and chases, you know, the stuff we Western fans love in our 50s Oater diets. There's a running fun thread that sees Silverheels (who gets the best costume) and Nader taking each other on in friendly bouts of fighting, while a sub-plot involving Foch and Drake adds meat to the thematic stew. Thoroughly enjoyable and not without some intelligence and racy merit as well, Four Guns to the Border is well worth checking out. 7.5/10
chipe
This is a very enjoyable movie, though you wouldn't know it from its low (5.8) user rating. I guess that rating is due to its rather friendly disposition -- no evil bad guys, no murders, not so much action. There is a lot of amiable camaraderie amongst the protagonists, and maybe the theme of the movie (good women civilizing their menfolk) doesn't turn most Western fans on.However, if you disregard this movie, you are missing a superior B-Western (or mediocre A-Western). It was directed by a TV and movie actor familiar to most of us, Richard Carlson, who acted in over 100 productions, including "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" and "King Solomon's Mines." Among the film's many pluses are: ¶ a surprisingly superior cast beginning with Rory Calhoun. As one reviewer said, "the rest of the cast is first choice with the a young Colleen Miller and remarkable supporting actors (the Best of Universal's contract actors) : Walter Brennan, John McIntire (in only a handful of scenes) and Charles Drake." ¶ By far, the best actor and scene in the movie is from Nina Foch. Calhoun and Drake used to be friends and hellions in town. Both apparently were friendly with Koch, who ended up marrying Drake, who became sheriff. Calhoun moved away, but continued as an outlaw. The best scene in the movie is when Calhoun returns to town to stage a fist fight with sheriff Drake as a diversion while his gang robs the bank. Great are Calhoun's reminisces with Koch, and Koch's breaking up of the fistfight. ¶ the entire production was competent and pleasant -- cinematography, scenery, color, music, direction, acting, etc.
alexandre michel liberman (tmwest)
What made me see this film was an article I read about "the woman in the western", by Blake Lucas in the book "The Western Reader", where it is one of the films mentioned. Colleen Miller is a girl who is going to town with her father Walter Brennan and on the way meets outlaw Rory Calhoun, who is planning a bank robbery with three other members of the gang. Colleen is a very sensual girl and in no time she and Calhoun are having some of the most erotic scenes that I have ever seen on a movie. The story, by Louis L'Amour is good and unpredictable and it shows through Nina Foch and Colleen how a woman can be important in trying to stop a deadly fight between their men. The only criticism I have is about an Indian attack where stock shots seem to be used which do not blend so well. This is a totally neglected film which deserves to be seen.