Hell Bent for Leather

Very entertaining western directed by George Sherman (who did Big Jake with John Wayne and produced The Comancheros 1961). The actors are excellent. We get Audie Murphy and Stephen McNally back altogether 8 years after Duel at silver creek 1952, but here they are enemies. Felicia Farr acts in her last western. And very good supporting cast with Jan Merlin as Travers, John Qualen and Bob Steele among others.

With a very good screenplay, I really liked the character, Stephen MacNally plays. The three main actors are perfect, and they carry the movie. So if you have the luck to have the opportunity to see this movie: GOOOOO!

Audie Murphy Leads a Good Cast in front and back of some Outstanding Scraggy Rock Formations that make this a slightly Edgy Entry in the "Murph" Filmography.

By 1960 the Western was Waning in Popularity due to an Overexposure of Movies and TV Titles that became Exponential as the Decade Unfolded. This is a Strong "B" Entertainment that Delivered Color, CinemaScope, and an Adult-Theme Touch.

Some of the Dialog is Cutting Edge for the 50's, and the Leering Looks that Felicia Farr gets in the Cabin as She is Verbally Raped and Forced into Servitude is a Standout.

Some of the Back-Stories are Complex as Murphy is on the Run from a Psychopathic "Lawman" and some Revengeful Townsfolk, that the Script is Quick to Call Religious Hypocrites (you wouldn't find that on TV).

Steve McNally is Memorable as the Cold-Blooded "Marshall" and Jan Merlin makes His Mark as a "Smile-Happy" Shotgun Killer. Fast Paced and Thoughtful Western that is Slightly Above Average in the Decade's Outlandish Output of Westerns and another Solid Outing for Audie Murphy Fans to Appreciate.

Note...Audie Murphy's Career mostly ignored by Film Historians deserves another look and deeper analysis. As a consistent entertainer, especially in the Western Genre, it has been passed over and underrated.

Fans of Western movies will not be disappointed. While not a great or even distinguished Western, it also LACKS the faults of so many other Westerns. On the plus side it can boast good colorful outdoor mountainous locations and cinema-photography , leading and supporting actors, a believable situation and a literate imaginative script. On the negative side: zero; I can't think of anything laughable, offensive or jarring. Audie Murphy looked and acted good. Felicia Farr looked better, even gorgeous. And Stephen McNally stole the movie with his acting chops. Robert Middleton was his usual excellent self in a brief suspenseful scene during Murphy's chase from McNally. Jan Merlin did well as a villain.

I thought it was an interesting and unusual motive for Sheriff McNally's lying that Murphy and not Merlin was the criminal being chased. I won't reveal it in this review, though it is spelled out in most of the other reviews here. The reason puzzled me throughout watching the film, and it was finally revealed at the conclusion. Also intriguing was how Murphy would extricate himself from his predicament. Finally, kudos for Farr's back story. Surprising that there were no romantic scenes (embraces, kisses, etc.) between the two leads, Murphy and Farr, though the last scene had then leave hand in hand.

The most decorated combat soldier of the war,Audie Murphy, plays the part of a man,falsely accused of being a gangster by a marshal .This embittered cop has been searching for the true culprit for months and he needs to find one ,his claim to fame.Stephen Mc Nally is the stand out ,the audience realizes little by little he has gone completely nuts ,heading the posse on his victim's trail.The girl the horse-trader meets (Felicia Farr,better known for her part in " kiss me ,stupid" )and who takes up his cause is some kind of outcast for her father was not a good man .She was taken in by neighbors but she has not really been received at the community :she takes care of the children when the inhabitants attend the service.

This is a modest but entertaining western with good suspense and a great finale when the wrong and the right man meet in the mountain.

Behind the lurid title lies a moody, good-looking psychological western shot in colour & CinemaScope against the imposing backdrop of the Alabama Hills.

There moody, good-looking Audie Murphy gets a less than warm welcome from ferrity-faced Jan Merlin, doll-faced widow Felicia Farr, saturnine Sheriff Stephen McNally and mean-looking Robert Middleton; never quite sure who it's safe to do a deal with.