Western Mail

Tom Keene was an especially likable actor, and his westerns are especially likable, very much because of him, but also because the production values are usually quite high.

Early on, in a chase scene, two bad guys are also likable, for bad guys, but they show some personality as well as athletic ability, somewhat unusual for low-budget movies -- which this is, yes, but what money was spent was well spent.

"Western Mail" stands out for several reasons, one being that the great Glenn Strange gets to play a sheriff and not a villain, for a change. And he shines. Mr. Strange was a good actor, and showed it often, not even counting his performance in TV's "Gunsmoke."

Definitely another reason this stands out is a good script. The many "minor" characters seem awfully real and believable, and add a dimension to this movie missing from so many other low-budget films.

That they are played by talented and veteran actors is, of course, one more reason this is such a good movie.

In that chase scene mentioned above, there are two director errors I hated to see, because they were obvious and really shouldn't have happened. But, I realize, they honestly don't matter.

This is a darn good movie, an excellent B western, and I am grateful I found it on YouTube. I highly recommend "Western Mail."