West of Abilene (1940)
Frontiersman Tom Garfield and his pals endeavor to save their land from the clutches of slimy easterner Forsyth. The villain hires a bit of local muscle in the form of brutish Chris Matson, but he's no match for our hero.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
A different way of telling a story
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
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.
Charles Starrett (Tom Garfield), Marjorie Cooley (Judith Burnside), Bruce Bennett (Frank Garfield), William Pawley (Chris Matson), Don Beddoe (Forsyth), George Cleveland (Bill Burnside), Forrest Taylor (sheriff), William A. Kellogg (deputy), Bob Nolan (Bob), Francis Walker (Bat), Eddie Laughton (Poke), Vestor Pegg (Kennedy), Bud Osborne (Wilson), Frank Ellis (settler), Ted Mapes (stunt double for Charles Starrett), and the Sons of the Pioneers: Bob Nolan, Pat Brady, Hugh Farr, Carl Farr, Lloyd Perryman.Director: RALPH CEDER. Screenplay: Paul Franklin. Photography: George Meehan. Film editor: Charles Nelson. Music director: Morris W. Stoloff. Songs by Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer. Stunts: Francis Walker. Assistant director: Wilbur McGaugh. Associate producer: Leon Barsha.Copyright 29 June 1940 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No New York opening. U.S. release: 21 October 1940. 57 minutes. U.K. release title: The SHOWDOWN.SYNOPSIS: Settlers battle with land-grabbers.NOTES: Starrett's 37th western.COMMENT: Quite passable "B" western. The direction is efficient - at times even a trifle imaginative (the first encounter with Chris Matson - so skilfully played by William Pawley - with his back to Starrett; the climax with the ticking clock). And there is enough action to get by, though the script is inclined to be talky and there is far too much footage inside some very cheep and cheesy studio interiors. The songs. alas, are also mediocre.