A Lust to Kill

With very little in the way of a storyline, and with sets as crude as a high school play, "A Lust To Kill" is a textbook definition of the 1950s "B" western flick.

This movie's greatest asset, arguably, is that it offers a chance to see Don Megowan at an early stage in his career. Despite his imposing physical presence, Megowan was clearly not the seasoned actor that he would become years later when playing outlaws and thugs in various movies and television productions. At times in "Lust," he seems awkward and uncomfortable when delivering lines of a threatening nature, which is surprising given the fact that he was superb at such discourse in films like "Devil's Brigade." Allison Hayes seems virtually invisible, despite her co-star billing, and Jim Davis is believable as the Marshal but, like the rest of the cast, lacking in charisma. Also, the events which unfold in the movie scarcely resemble the plot summary which is typically offered for this picture. Suffice it to say that Megowan's character finds himself in a position to wreak havoc on the townsfolk almost by accident, rather than by design, as the film nears its conclusion.

Still, the simplicity of "A Lust To Kill" is a nostalgic trip down memory lane in the world of black-and-white, "B" productions. It's also an interesting study in actors like Megowan and Davis, who were probably at their best in supporting roles in more prominent movies instead of leading roles in minor ones.

Cheney Holland (Don Megowan) is a man with issues, that's for sure! He's not the typical villain either....more like a berserker than anything else...attacking and killing with little real motivation other than he likes to kill and seems to feel entitled to do it for the least little thing.

When the story begins, a gang of bandits have just stolen a shipment of guns and ammo. The posse is close behind and they shoot Cheney's brother. Instead of running for cover like the rest of the gang, he stays behind with his dying brother...and is soon apprehended.

Marshall Gordon (Jim Davis) has some sympathy for Cheney. After all, they grew up together and he realizes the man isn't all bad. This is a HUGE mistake, as at the funeral for Cheney's brother, Cheney makes his escape and kills a man for little reason. He then feels his mission in life is getting retribution for his brother...a man killed committing a robbery! In fact, Cheney is such a mess that he even attacks his old gang!! What's to become of him....and what's the Marshall going to do to redeem himself?

This is an unusual western...and that's its biggest plus. On the negative side, the Marshall seems a bit dim and difficult to understand at times...and the story was pretty predictable after Cheney went on his killing rampage. But considering it was a cheap film made for very little, it provides a decent return on its investment.

Remarkable...Two Sins in a Three Word Title.

Seems Like They are Trying Really Hard, but Mediocrity Reigns.

The Movie Opens with a Long Bible Quote and Ends with an Actual Picture of the "Good Book" as the Opening Quote Concludes.

This After a Man was Drowned in Pig-Slop.

The Movie seems to be Asking for Forgiveness for its Sins...

Many Deaths by Gunfire, Semi-Nude Pond Posing, and Morality by Everyone is in Question.

The Film has an Omani-Present Musical Score that has all the Markings of an Afterthought to Arouse and Elevate the Action.

Allison Hayes Fans will be Disappointed,

Her Character does Not Take Advantage of Her Assets and She Seems Out-to-Lunch, Barely Present and Vacant.

A Bad-Guy who Laughs Hysterically and Annoyingly in the First Half...Ha Ha Ha...Relentlessly.

Because of its Overall Strangeness and Despite its Misfiring Most of the Time...

Worth a Watch.

Although this B-movie western covers all the cliches you would expect, there are a few unusual elements. The villain, played by Don Megowan, starts as a somewhat sympathetic character but gradually becomes more sadistic and violent. The supposed good guy, played by Jim Davis, kills a man with his bare hards by drowning him in a shallow pool of pig excrement and water! Allison Hayes has almost nothing to do here except she is very small compared to the hulking leading men (who are at least six foot tall). And there is a surprising bit of nudity by Toni Turner during a scene of the gang of thieves gamboling in a muddy pond and eating melon! Imagine going to see this twisted, low budget six-shooter revenge melodrama at the bijou in 1959! Directed by the man who later made MUMMY AND THE CURSE OF THE JACKAL.

In some respects, this 1958 oater was ahead of its time, with a morally complex antihero and situation at its core. Megowan's character is initially sympathetic, despite being an outlaw. He loves his just-killed brother and gave himself up to try to save him. Plan B was getting him a decent funeral over the objections of a lousy, petty bunch of townsfolk. Davis' sheriff shows admirable integrity as events spin out of control. There's more to dislike about more of the characters than usual for the pre-Spaghetti Western era.

The plot keeps us somewhat off-balance as some players grow worse and some better, not only regarding their actions, but their motives. Emotional triggers are featured as much as the ones on the guns. Unfortunately, the acting is stiff; the dialog, bland; the opening and closing biblical voiceover rings false, as if tagged on by someone at studio standards in a lame attempt to elevate the "art" of the product with a MESSAGE.

They might have been trying for the drama of a High Noon, but they only ended with a precursor of more interesting films to come in the following decade. Even so, the attempt, in context with its release date, makes it worth a look.