The Fastest Gun Alive (1956)

Directed by Russell Rouse. Starring Glenn Ford, Broderick Crawford, Jeanne Crain, John Dehner, Allyn Joslyn, Noah Beery Jr., Leif Erickson, J. M. Kerrigan, Russ Tamblyn, Rhys Williams, Virginia Gregg, Chubby Johnson, John Doucette, Walter Coy.

Overly familiar Western story of a somber and sober ex-sherrif (Ford), whose quick-draw artistry once earned him notoriety, now living under an assumed name as a general store owner in a peaceful community, and trying to stay under the radar of other gunmen looking to prove themselves. One such gunman is surly outlaw Crawford, who comes to town and threatens to burn the place to the ground if Ford doesn’t materialize and face him. Earnest drama follows the predictable patterns; there’s nothing new about Crawford’s bluster, and Ford’s sensitive inner struggle comes across as mere constipation. An okay time-killer with a reasonably tense climax; might play better for viewers who haven’t already watched two dozen other variations of the same moral. Tamblyn’s acrobatic barn dance showcase is certainly gratuitous, but not entirely unwelcome.

54/100