Four Faces West

As long l can remenber l've never seen Joel McCrea as bad guy, this picture show us a different kind of western, no shooting, gunfighters or villains, the whole story is driven to give a second chance that every man deserves, even asking a loan under a gun has an politeness way and promising to pay soon he can, when meets Monte as suspicious man on a train everthing seems getting worst, such ambiguous gambler that wore a black clothes giving us a false impression that double cross in near, instead this easy spoken mexican was misunderstood on purpose, the girl that he meets as nurse to care him after snake's bite stay clear love at first sigh,a gentle Garret was another high point as human's point of view, the largely beautiful dry lanscape with several fine spots including the scratch rocks is quite remarkable scene, anyway a little gem to relish in a quiet room this humanist western!!

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First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5

Harold Rosson must have been an interesting character. He was briefly married to Jean Harlow, for one thing. He was a top cinematographer for many years for MGM (check him out in IMDb). On this very moderately budgeted film, his pictures are just beautiful all through. Contrary to one reviewer, I found his depictions of Frances Dee most expressive and elegant too. Was this a sort of busman's holiday for Rosson, getting out of the studio quite a bit? Was he helping out a friend, or what took him to this assignment?

Not a single shot is fired nor is one punch thrown in director Phil Green's "Four Faces West", starring Joel McCrea and Frances Dee. This is just one of the remarkable features of this absolutely first rate western. A down-and-out cowboy "borrows" $2000 from a reluctant banker in Santa Maria, New Mexico. During his escape he earns the attention of a lovely railroad nurse (played by real-life wife Frances Dee), who tries mightily to save our hero. His escape into the New Mexico badlands and his ultimate redemption (he stops to help a critically ill family at an isolated ranch, thereby insuring his capture) form the exciting climax to the story. Fine performances by Charles Bickford (as legendary lawman Pat Garrett) and Joseph Calleia are among those of a distinguished supporting cast, including William Conrad and John Parrish. An exciting and uplifting cinematic experience. Highly recommended!

"Four Faces West" is a beautiful looking movie. It's often stunning to look at. The rest of the movie is good too. It has a fast moving, thoughtful story. It's well acted. I've become quite a fan of Joel McCrea lately. "Four Faces West" is a solid western for his resume.

First rate story, production, and cast. Not a shot is fired is this wonderfully low-key story.