The Broken Star (1956)

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

SYNOPSIS: A marshal is unconvinced that his deputy killed a man in self-defense. He asks another deputy to investigate.COMMENT: Excellent. There's no reason why a conventional western should not also incorporate a murder mystery, so full credit must be given to the taut, well-characterized script provided by John C. Higgins (author of T-Men). True, Lesley Selander's direction is a cut or two above his usual capable (though hardly major league) standard, whilst William Margulies has lensed some striking location photography. Paul Dunlap too has also risen to the occasion with a powerful background score. What will interest the fans is that the action sequences are vigorously staged. Bill Williams even seems to be slugging and fighting without use of a double. The rest of the players, led by Howard Duff are nothing if not thoroughly convincing.

Lesley Selander knew how to make a precise, no frills, western. Here, there is something different from the "run of the mill" b movie, the main character is the bad guy, Frank Smead (Howard Duff), the Deputy Marshal. He kills a man to get 8000 dollars,and tries to come out with a good story , pleading self-defense. Contrary to most westerns of this type, (where the hero is an outlaw) the spectator's sympathies do not go to Smead, but to whoever is going to uncover his malignant plot. There is Nachez (Joe Dominguez), a witness, who can not tell what he saw because he does not speak English, Conchita the sexy girl who sings "I hate you" ,with a whip, in the "cantina", played by Lita Baron (was married to Rory Calhoun). There is also the big shot, W.C. 'Doc' Mott, Coroner, (William 'Bill' Phillips) who threatens Smead while orienting a square dance. Besides having an unusual plot, there are good action scenes, which make this an entertaining western.

An obvious western version of a story that was done twice in 1954 (as SHIELD FOR MURDER and PRIVATE HELL 36--with Howard Duff!) where a good lawman goes into business for himself.This has all the elements: ruthless crime boss, two hired goons, a blackmailer, desperate escape and even a sultry chanteuse singing in a nightclub -er- saloon. Duff's playing is typically stoic, but this adds a bit to his bluff, duplicitous character (the kind Fred MacMurray used to play in DOUBLE INDEMNITY and PUSHOVER)and the rest of the cast does quite well under Selander's assured (well it certainly should be assured by this time!) direction. I particularly liked Douyglas Fowley as the crooked blackmailer. The scene where he and Duff negotiate -- each obviously planning a double-cross -- has a fine, greasy tension to it.

Every now and then TCM runs these obscure films that turn out to be real finds. The Broken Star, a black and white B western, certainly is a find with Howard Duff as a deputy sheriff gone bad.Right up front we see Howard Duff shoot down an unarmed man and steal something from his house. It's $8000.00 in gold, but unfortunately Duff has left a witness, an old Apache who works for the deceased.Under cover of the badge, Duff tells his story that he shot a suspected rustler who drew on him first. Neither believing or disbelieving him, Sheriff Addison Richards investigates, in much the same manner a shooting team from a modern police force does. It's then up to another deputy, Bill Williams to bring in his colleague who also is someone who saved his life once.The film is set in the beginning of the 20th century when the old wild west was becoming somewhat tame. Early forensic science is what sets people's suspicions on Duff in the first place.The Broken Star is a good B western with an adult plot befitting the Fifties, the era of the adult western. Make sure you catch it when next broadcast.