Thunder Over Arizona

Skip Homeier was a good Western actor, far too often seen in subsidiary roles. I have seen most of his performances in film, and he should have had more lead roles. The cast is good and George Macready gives his usual threatening performance, and when you hear his voice ' Gilda ' echoes somewhere in cinematic memory. The film comes alive thanks to Homeier's presence in what is perhaps a predictable plot. But what Western does not have certain familiar tropes, and as in everything the acting and capable direction make the film. I have no idea why it has such low ratings, and maybe an 8 is too much, but for me the film does not outstay its welcome and has all the action one would want and need out of a late Republic film. It is no ' Johnny Guitar ' but at least Homeier could act and was not Sterling Hayden wood. And he was better looking which I am sure at the time of its release was a relief when Wayne and Scott and Glenn Ford still held the field. A welcome, unpretentious film.

Kristine Miller stars as a tough woman fighting to save her family's mine from a corrupt mayor {George Macready} and his hired thugs. Enter Skip Homeier who is mistaken for bad guy Shotgun Kelly and sets about trying to save the day.

Bad, bad and bad oater showcasing the bad side of Republic Pictures. The story is a solid one and the cast manfully try to make it work. But the action is unadventurous and there's a distinct lack of conviction in the delivery of the tedious script. Filmed in something called Naturama, which was Republic's unique widescreen process, and shot in Trucolor, it's a shame that the cinematography from Bud Thackery fails to bring to life the Iverson Ranch locale. Tho in fairness, the print of the film these days is as awful as the film itself is. The score from R. Dale Butts is devoid of rhythm for the action, while director Joe Kane, a more than competent director on his day, is unable to turn this pigs ear into a silk purse.

Not recommended to anyone other than Western/Republic/Homeier completists like me. 2/10 for George Macready's gusto and Kristine Miller's smile.

Thunder In Arizona (1956) A unique western with many (contemporaneous for it's western period & locale) valid & ironic twists and turns in it's design. A level of satirical humor exists, here, with a stellar veteran cast, and mixed in a comically satirical style. Some viewers/folks might not understand this about this picture right away. But, in both the plot characters and the story there is integrity of artful purpose. Personally, I loved it!

It's interesting to me that these kind of B westerns that just fly under the radar were made for cinema in the mid 50s. This is a form of cinematic art that is a rare gem, in my opinion.

Good western from Joseph Kane this movie that I saw a long time ago and that I totally forgot, despite this absolutely incredible element: Skip Homeier as the lead hero, not a supporting villain. George McReady is the villain, the master criminal, bad guy, a local corrupt landowner. This is not a surprise, however. It could have been made by a Sidney Salkow or Lesley Selander, not a Jo Kane's trademark. This move belongs to my Jo Kane's favorite, I just found it now. And Skip Homeier and George McReady were not very often seen in Republic Pictures yarns, unlike Forrest Tucker and Rod Cameron. Good watch.

George Macready (as the head villain) was looking seriously too old when this was made. One of those good v bad type of westerns with, in this case, limited acting ability. Not a lengthy film, but for those who enjoy the good guys beating the odds, its not bad TV especially on a wet afternoon.