King_man While certainly in the mold of a "B" western, Gunsmoke manages to raise itself above its peer group. Good production values, an above average supporting cast that appeared to enjoy themselves, an OK plot bolstered by some spirited dialog, and a young Murphy showing he was incorrect in his self-assessment of "no talent." The plot is pretty much by the numbers: Gambler Telford (Donald Randolph) wants Dan Saxon's (Paul Kelly) ranch and sends for gunslinger Reb Kittridge (Murphy) to arrange an early departure for Saxon from this earth. Due to the luck of the draw, or more probably Saxon's card skills, Kittridge ends up owning said ranch but has to get the cattle to market to maintain possession. Taking to the trail with Saxon, now a cowhand, Saxon's daughter Rita (Susan Cabot), her possessive boyfriend / ranch foreman Curly (Jack Kelly), and the rest of Saxon's old crew, Kittridge must beat both the elements and Telford who doesn't give up just because he's had a setback.This could have been a B caliber movie but it's better than that. The plot is predictable but pretty much everything else is a step up. Veteran screenwriter D.D. Beauchamp's script has more life than usually found in this type of movie. Saxon – "He ain't no killer, Doc." Doc –"Well, if he isn't , he's been taking money under false pretenses all the way from Texas to the Canadian line." Later, when Saxon says he's willing to work for Kittridge in the cattle drive, his daughter pounces on him in an epic fail. Rita – "You mean you're going to work for him?" Saxon – "Well, we gotta eat don't we?" Rita – "I'd rather go hungry." Saxon – "I've tried that too. I wouldn't recommend it."Paul Kelly adds immeasurably in his role as a rancher who sees parallels in Kittridge with his own early life and wants to provide a bit of course correction into the gunfighter's life. His timing is great and his easy going drawl a great counterpoint for Murphy. His scenes with Chubby Johnson are also great fun. While certainly a lot is filmed on sets, there are some good outdoor scenes and some nifty wagon riding down a hillside. The only quibble I have is with Susan Cabot. Somehow she doesn't have quite the presence of some other not-quite-A- list actresses of that era such as, say, a young Piper Laurie, but I guess that's a personal taste.All in all, this is a better oater than most B pictures and shows an inexperienced Murphy could perform quite well when given good direction and surrounded with a good cast to play off of. Give it a try, you won't regret it.

alexandre michel liberman (tmwest) I like the westerns Audie Murphy made before 1955. No matter how routine they might have been, they were colorful, entertaining, with a lot of action. Here he is Reb, a gunfighter, who seems to be a bad guy(like in most of Murphy's films). Susan Cabot as Rita is better than in any other film she made. Mary Castle is too stiff for the role she plays, which is what Marlene Dietrich was in "Destry Rides Again", she even sings "See What the Boys in the Back Room Will Have". Paul Kelly as Rita's father is an asset for any movie he is in. Charles Drake is Johnny Lake another gunfighter that is a friend of Reb, but then, suddenly they are on opposite sides. Reb has to deliver a cattle herd and he is going to have all the odds against him.

forwardlobe Audie's lines are tough and fearless. But I look into his eyes, and wonder where he left his teddy bear, just as I suppose we all do.I have never seen an Audie movie with such a huge disconnect between how tough his lines are, and how sweet his face is. If everyone weren't so deadly serious, it would be satirical.I sit there, and I just can't believe it. That's no way to watch a movie.It's interesting to imagine the lines being delivered by a real tough, like Morgan Woodward or Clint Eastwood. Then the movie would start to make sense.I understand Audie is a courageous war hero, and that Americans owe him as much as any veteran. Based on his baby-face, I have always found that paradoxical. My conclusion has always been that such a decent kid shouldn't have had to go into battle. Yes, it's a lesson.Instead, my problem is with the casting director. Although Audie never lets any doubt leak through to his delivery, there is just no hiding how decent he is. It was a mistake to give him a role that's so darned tough. It just doesn't work.

classicsoncall Get past the unlikely premise of "Gunsmoke" and you've got yourself a pretty good Western. Reb Kittridge (Audie Murphy) is a hired gunslinger who arrives in Montana on an as yet unknown job prospect. Unknown that is, except to most of the rest of the town, including intended victim Dan Saxon (Paul Kelly). Heavy Matt Telford (Donald Randolph) wants Saxon's ranch, and needs him out of the way so he can take over the entire valley basin. So far, it's a pretty typical set up, but Kittridge isn't biting just yet, particularly since he's already met Saxon's pretty daughter Rita (June Cabot). In an unusual turn of events, Reb wins the Saxon ranch by cutting cards with the owner, now finding himself on opposite sides against Telford. To pay off the thirty day note due on the Saxon ranch, Kittridge must round up all the scattered cattle in the territory, and get it to railhead while Telford does all he can to prevent it from happening.It was more than a surprise to see this film had been recorded in Trucolor, the print I viewed was outstanding. Another surprise was the choice of song by saloon singer Cora Dufrayne (Mary Castle) - "See What The Boys in the Bathroom Will Have", to great applause by the cowhand audience.For a 1953 oater, the film offers some great lines: Jesse White as the Professor (camp cook on the cattle drive) - "Come and get it, before I throw it to the hogs." Bill Radovich the bartender - "Just name your poison gentlemen, if we haven't got it, we'll make it!" Charles Drake, as Reb's former partner Johnny Lake, later hired by Telford to take him out - "I never did like to shoot my friends.", in the movie's finale.Keep your eyes peeled for brief appearances by a handful of "B" Western character actors and veterans - Edmund Cobb as the stage driver, William Fawcett as the crusty hotel clerk ("I can just see it now, blood all over my nice clean floors."), and Denver Pyle as a Saxon ranch hand, all in uncredited roles.As a fan of the genre, I was prepared for a rather run of the mill story here, but it came across as rather well done and entertaining - recommended for Audie Murphy and Western fans of all types.