4 for Texas (1963)
In the 1870s, two rival businessmen, Zack Thomas and Joe Jarrett, on a stagecoach heading to Galveston, Texas, must pull together to protect $100,000 from an outlaw named Matson. Once in Galveston, however, their rivalry continues, as Thomas joins up with Elya Carlson and Jarret with Maxine Richter. But Matson is still on the loose, and a scheming banker threatens both Thomas and Jarrett.
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Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .
Boring
It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
For me the name "Robert Aldrich" usually evokes the mental picture of Lee Marvin plunging a knife into someone's neck. Or an unshaven James Stewart lost in the desert, dying of thirst. Or a mud-splattered Ernest Borgnine grimacing in pain. Or Burt Lancaster, Jack Palance, Cliff Robertson... you know, this kind of guys. Aldrich excelled at testosterone-heavy, gritty dramas about men as tough as polar bears facing danger and death (The Dirty Dozen, The Flight of the Phoenix, Too Late a Hero...).There are exceptions. Some are good exceptions, like What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, a mostly female psychological horror which is skin-crawlingly creepy. And then there is 4 for Texas.Once upon a midnight dreary I started watching this and I was shocked, shocked to eventually learn it was directed by Aldrich. While neither terrible nor unwatchable, this western/comedy starring Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin is a lackluster entry in the director's impressive filmography. The comedic rhythm feels off, like when someone wants to tell a joke but takes too long to get to the punchline and there is much awkward grinning and shuffling of feet. In particular, the romantic banter with voluptuous blondes Ursula Andress and Anita Ekberg feels interminable.I guess Aldrich was the wrong person for this lightweight fluff; it's like Michael Mann directing Blazing Saddles.5/10
In a remarkable coincidence, this was the next film on my Netflix delivery list when Anita Ekberg died several days ago. So having just watched the movie, she was quite a presence in it though I thought Ursula Andress was more sexy with what was put on her. As for the male leads-Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin-well, Dean seemed to be more professional than Frank so was the more charismatic of the two. No wonder director Robert Aldrich wanted Sinatra sacked! Despite the long running time, I mostly enjoyed this western comedy especially when The Three Stooges-Moe, Larry, and Curly Joe-arrived. So on that note, 4 for Texas is worth a look. P.S. Since It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite movie, I feel the need to note of three connections here: Joseph Biroc-one of the directors of photography on that movie was one of three responsible for second unit photography here, Ellen Corby-who was the lady James Stewart kissed when she asked for less money than the other customers at the Bailey Building & Loan there-got to join in on hitting the Stooges, and the song "Buffalo Gals"-you know the song Jimmy and Donna Reed sing outside after falling in their former high school's swimming pool-is played instrumentally during the riverboat opening.
Not really a rat pack movie, but close enough. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin are rival gamblers vying for possession of a riverboat gambling joint. It's a funny, smörgåsbord type of comic western with Sinatra & Martin in top form, supported by the likes of Victor Buono, Mike Mazurki and Charles Bronson. They're all great and Bronson gets plenty of laughs sending up his steely tough-as-nails persona; he's a real thorn in Sinatra's side. Buono is fun as a thoroughly corrupt bank manager. The very large supporting cast also includes Jack Elam, Ellen Corby, Nick Dennis as Angel and Dave Willock (you'll likely recognize the voice). The Three Stooges pop up briefly for a reasonably funny bit. Ursula Andress and Anita Ekberg provide love interests for Martin & Sinatra respectively. The great music score is by Nelson Riddle. The unexpected director is Robert Aldrich, who sandwiched this film in between his two grand guignol masterpieces WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? and HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE.
Bronsonin this supposed comedy-westernas outlaw leader Matson who works for crooked banker Victor Buono, helps start the film off on a high note of action He and his henchmen attack a stagecoach whose passengers include Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra After repulsing the bandits, Zack (Sinatra) discloses a bag containing $100,000, and Joe (Martin) unexpectedly relieves him of the money at gunpoint In Galveston, Joe deposits the money in a bank run by Harvey Burden (Buono), a thief who has supported Zack's efforts to become the town's gambling king When Zack arrives in town, Matson tries to kill him, but Joe interferes, saving Zack's life Then Zack learns that Joe intends to compete with him by converting an abandoned riverboat into a gambling saloon Outraged, he raises a gang, intending to take over the boat on opening night But Burden has plans of his own Much of the plot, such as it is, is taken up with the comic rivalry between Martin and Sinatra, involving with womanizing and gambling The three Stooges doing one of their ancient routines provide a gay moment Anita Ekberg and Ursula Andress are an absolute pleasure to look at And if you want to know the answer of Joe to Ursula's commentary: "You didn't notice what I'm wearing," don't miss this nice, civilized picture