Synopsis: IMDB
A naive half-Indian, half-white man evolves into a hardened killer as he tracks down his parents’ murderers.
Phantoms Review: Solid well made western action tale. Good acting and an interesting story about a persons quest for revenge.[/quote]
I surely understand that in almost all westerns (All’Italiana AND American) it is necessary to overlook certain improbabilities. But trying to pass off Steve McQueen in this one as a teenager is hard to get beyond.
A nice looking film though. Nevada Smith is based on a character in a novel by 60’s schlockmiester Harold Robbins.
From Wikipedia: "His often profane style was referred to in the film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, where Kirk cites his work to explain how people in the 20th century talk."
Heehee
I watched the second half of Sartana In The Valley Of Death last night.
My first Spagetti in a month! Yay!
Totally deivative its originalness.
Ala FFDM: William Berger’s character (Lee Galloway) appears on multiple wanted posters, nearly reprising in name Jose Torron’s Guy Calloway
Ala GBU: As Berger is dying of exposure and thirst in the desert, a coach appears miracuously to save him.
Ala The Big Gundown: A single female ruling an isolated “ranch”, after having seduced Berger, tries to have her men take him down.
Much to my chagrin, Aldo Berti’s death did not live up to his splendidly kooky performance. (Love that coonskin cap though!)
Death by scorpion (not Aldo)? Nice touch but unlikely. I had a pleasant and unexpected encounter with a scorpion once while in the depths of the Grand Canyon. While they may kill small varmits and kids, a grown man is unlikely to die from such a sting (at least in North America).
Music boxes. Interesting touch as well. Don’t see that too often. Cemetery Without Crosses has a music box.
There must be others, can’t think of them right now. (Musical watches don’t count)
[quote=“Romaine Fielding, post:3741, topic:141”]I surely understand that in almost all westerns (All’Italiana AND American) it is necessary to overlook certain improbabilities. But trying to pass off Steve McQueen in this one as a teenager is hard to get beyond.
A nice looking film though. Nevada Smith is based on a character in a novel by 60’s schlockmiester Harold Robbins.
From Wikipedia: "His often profane style was referred to in the film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, where Kirk cites his work to explain how people in the 20th century talk."
Heehee[/quote]
To me this movie was a disappointment
Not really a bad movie, but I had expected more of it
Considering the vengeance theme, I found it rather tame
I’ve often heard that the character was based on a Harold Robbins novel
Not that I intend to read it, but from what novel, and what kind of character was it, an avenger too?
I identify Robbins more with sex, money, pulp and more sex, money and pulp (not necessarily in that order), but I must admit that I only read one of his books
Half
[quote=“Romaine Fielding, post:3742, topic:141”]Music boxes. Interesting touch as well. Don’t see that too often. Cemetery Without Crosses has a music box.
There must be others, can’t think of them right now. (Musical watches don’t count)[/quote]
[quote=“Romaine Fielding, post:3742, topic:141”]Music boxes. Interesting touch as well. Don’t see that too often. Cemetery Without Crosses has a music box.
There must be others, can’t think of them right now. (Musical watches don’t count)[/quote]
[quote=“scherpschutter, post:3743, topic:141”]To me this movie was a disappointment
Not really a bad movie, but I had expected more of it
Considering the vengeance theme, I found it rather tame
I’ve often heard that the character was based on a Harold Robbins novel
Not that I intend to read it, but from what novel, and what kind of character was it, an avenger too?
I identify Robbins more with sex, money, pulp and more sex, money and pulp (not necessarily in that order), but I must admit that I only read one of his books
Half[/quote]
I’ve not read the book either but it was called The Carpetbaggers (1961). Made into a film in 1964.
Says wikipedia: "The character Nevada Smith is a cowboy who breaks into the movies by volunteering to perform a risky stunt, becomes fabulously wealthy as a movie cowboy star, and becomes proprietor of a Wild West show. In these details he bears a vague resemblance to Tom Mix, who was a star performer in the 101 Wild West Show and became in turn a movie extra, stunt man, and major star. Some also see a resemblance between Nevada Smith and William Boyd, who became famous as Hopalong Cassidy. Others say that Smith was based on cowboy actor Ken Maynard. A 1966 movie named Nevada Smith was based on his role in this book."
Not having seen or read The Carpetbaggers, but having read the above quote, it seems hard to square the Nevada Smith character in the movie of the same name with the description of the character in The Carpetbaggers but there it is…
I like Steve McQueen but, like you, I found Nevada Smith to be a largely disappointing movie.
Your assessment of Robbins is accurate. He is often mentioned along with Jaqueline Susann (Valley of the Dolls) as a purveyor of 60’s sex & pulp.
A very interesting western with an alkoholic hero (Broderick Crawford) who is nearly dead in the 1st scene, so that the greatest part of the film is told in 3 flashbacks.
The last 10 min of the flashbacks are lacking ideas, otherwise I would have called this one of the most unusual westerns of the 50s.
Great atmosphere thanks to the photography by Burnett Guffey.
[quote=“stanton, post:3749, topic:141”]The Last Posse
A very interesting western with an alkoholic hero (Broderick Crawford) who is nearly dead in the 1st scene, so that the greatest part of the film is told in 3 flashbacks.
The last 10 min of the flashbacks are lacking ideas, otherwise I would have called this one of the most unusual westerns of the 50s.
Great atmosphere thanks to the photography by Burnett Guffey.
Anyone seen this rather unknown film?[/quote]
Never even heard of this one. Sounds interesting. I’m not familiar with Burnett Guffey either (at least by name anyway). Did he do a lot of westerns? Stanton, have you seen the documentary Visions Of Light (about cinematography)?
The Last Posse was directed by Alfred L. Werker, not a familiar name.
Guffey was 5 times nominated for an Academy Award and won it twice (From Here to Eternity, Bonny and Clyde). Not a typical western DP, but did also Decision at Sundown and They Came to Cordura.
Made his name with several b/w classics like Robert Rossen’s All the King’s Men or Johnny o’clock
[quote=“stanton, post:3753, topic:141”].Guffey was 5 times nominated for an Academy Award and won it twice (From Here to Eternity, Bonny and Clyde). Not a typical western DP, but did also Decision at Sundown and They Came to Cordura.
Made his name with several b/w classics like Robert Rossen’s All the King’s Men or Johnny o’clock
Visions of Light? nope[/quote]
Interesting. Decision is going to be availble on DVD here on Nov 4th (I’m excited about that). They Came To Cordura? Yikes (No reflection on Guffey)! But that’s stinker. Tab Hunter is completely unconvincing. An awful (to me) performance. I bought this a couple of years ago. I hated it so much I got rid of it the next day.
Visons of Light? Nope? Hmmmm. I have an extra copy of this sitting right next to my mouse. I was wondering who I could send it to…
Jess Vrain (Peter Lee Lawrence) returns to town to find internal conflict between two landowners, and soon becomes involved.
Decent role for PLL, who is on fine form and story keeps you interested. A few small details added to my enjoyment; how nosey the townfolk were (reminds me of a few of my neighbours), the bookeeper fascinated me and the Winchester Special was a joy to watch in action.
[quote=“ENNIOO, post:3755, topic:141”]Killer Adios has been viewed.
Jess Vrain (Peter Lee Lawrence) returns to town to find internal conflict between two landowners, and soon becomes involved.
Decent role for PLL, who is on fine form and story keeps you interested. A few small details added to my enjoyment; how nosey the townfolk were (reminds me of a few of my neighbours), the bookeeper fascinated me and the Winchester Special was a joy to watch in action.[/quote]
Yeah i like this one a lot. Bit different, being more of a “murder mystery” and having a hero who continually screws up because of his hotheadedness (ok…that’s probably NOT a real word! :D). Pity it isn’t available as on dvd with a decent picture…
[quote=“ENNIOO, post:3755, topic:141”]Killer Adios has been viewed.
Jess Vrain (Peter Lee Lawrence) returns to town to find internal conflict between two landowners, and soon becomes involved.
Decent role for PLL, who is on fine form and story keeps you interested. A few small details added to my enjoyment; how nosey the townfolk were (reminds me of a few of my neighbours), the bookeeper fascinated me and the Winchester Special was a joy to watch in action.[/quote]
My favourite PLL film. And, of course, it also has the benefit of Rosalba Neri who always improves any film she appears in for my money. Plus a great (and cheesy) theme song. What more could you ask for?
(briefly)
