JohnHowardReid Copyright 13 March 1964 by Universal Pictures Company, Inc. New York opening on a double bill at the Palace and other theatres: 24 December 1964. U.S. release: 1 February 1965. U.K. release: 28 March 1965. 7,650 feet. 85 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Lone survivor of a family massacre is pursued by three hired gunmen into Apache territory. COMMENT: Making extensive use of action footage from some 3-D feature (Fort Ti?) for its Indians-attack-the-fort climax, Taggart is a reasonably actionful "B" western, with a strong if over-talkative villain (Dan Duryea), a commanding if too briefly observed heroine's dad (Dick Foran), and a quite pretty if late-entering female lead (Jean Hale). There are other interesting players as well, though I would exclude the somewhat surly Tony Young, who seems to have only the one expression and to deliver his lines in a similar monotone. Springsteen's direction and other credits are competent enough. The editor has done a reasonable job splicing in the stock material of cattle rustling and fort storming which gives the movie the air of a fair-sized budget. The story is developed somewhat along television lines with our hunted hero involved in three different encounters. The first is with a widow desperately trying to make a go at being a bar-girl -- an appealing portrait here by Claudia Barrett. Fans will recognise Bob Steele in a fleeting part as the Taggart cook. Aside from the stock footage, lots of dialogue, repetitious and/or fixed camera positions, Taggart has other "B"-picture stratagems including the novel idea of having the hero remonstrate (at length of course) with his dad for not hiring enough men! It's a pity that some of this ingenuity wasn't devoted to developing and motivating the character played by Elsa Cardenas. This lack of conviction undermines the impact of the climax considerably.

abroadwarrior The original L'Amour novel -- good. (I've read it -- you should to.)This screen play -- sketchy; the performance, story line not much better.I'm amazed this saw the light of the projection booth -- even in the mid-60's.Good character actors & D. Duryea turned in his patented wise-ass villain performance.If you're storm-stayed somewhere, trapped in your iron lung or otherwise immobilized -- it's better than infomercials (just). Otherwise, get a library card.

frankfob Director R.G. Springsteen spent many years at Republic Pictures turning out efficient little B westerns, and his expertise is evident in this crisp, sharp little western. From around 1960 to about 1966 Universal churned out a stream of quickie westerns, most of them run-of-the-mill at best and low-grade junk at worst. This tight little oater, however, falls into neither category. A cast of western veterans like Emile Meyer, Ray Teal, Dick Foran and the great Dan Duryea, and a more than competent leading man in Tony Young, combine with a good story and Springsteen's firm hand to make this one of the best B westerns to come out of Universal in that period. Young plays Taggart, a man who gunned down the son of a powerful local rancher who led a gang that attacked his camp and murdered his parents. The dead son's dying father sends hired killers out to track down and kill Taggart. Fleeing through Apache territory, he comes to the aid of an old man and his daughter defending their gold mine against rampaging Indians. Young reminds you of Gary Cooper in his early years, although a bit more animated, and it's a shame his career never really went anywhere, as he's quite good in this (he also shot another western around this time, "He Rides Tall," and is equally as good in that one). Long-time cowboy actor Dick Foran plays the father, and the gorgeous Jean Hale--who years later married actor Dabney Coleman--is his daughter. The story is interesting, the scenery is pretty and Duryea is--as always--tremendous fun to watch. There's some sharp action, although a good chunk of it is obvious stock footage from other westerns, and things are resolved satisfactorily--though somewhat abruptly--at the end, something that didn't always happen in Universal's westerns of the period. All in all, a very watchable little B picture. You could do a lot worse than spending some time on this one.

bsmith5552 "Taggart" was an enjoyable little western from "B-plus" department of Universal. It has the look and feel of an Audie Murphy western, however an excellent story and the crisp direction by R.G. Springsteen, make it a cut above the average.Tony Young plays the title character, a man wrongly accused of murder. Dan Duryea in yet another of his "smiling cad" portrayals, plays the chief villain. The biggest and most pleasant surprise is the casting of screen veteran Dick Foran as the heroine's father. Foran turns in an excellent performance, a fitting epitaph to his long career.The cast also includes Jean Hale as the heroine, Emil Meyer (Shane) as the town boss, Peter (son of Dan) Duryea and David Carradine as gunslingers and western favorites Ray Teal, Harry Carey Jr. and Bob Steele in other roles."Taggart" is a good western.