Colt .45 *** (1950, Randolph Scott, Ruth Roman, Zachary Scott, Lloyd Bridges, Alan Hale Sr, Chief Thundercloud, Ian MacDonald) – Classic Movie Review 7216

Director Edwin L Marin’s 1950 Technicolor Western Colt .45 stars Randolph Scott as Steve Farrell, a gun salesman whose new Colts are stolen by villainous Jason Brett (Zachary Scott) to arm a band of outlaws, so Randolph Scott’s Farrell has to get them back.

It also stars Ruth Roman, Lloyd Bridges, Alan Hale Sr, Ian MacDonald, and Chief Thundercloud as Indian chief Walking Bear.

Marin’s movie is a short, fast-moving, invigorating Western, with plenty of action and Indian battles, directed in style in attractive Technicolor cinematography by Wilfrid M Kline. The two Scotts (no relation) are ideal, and there is a fine support cast of worthy Western players. However, Bros’ low budget production is only a notch above B-movie fare though. The outlaw gang’s hideout is the same location as in Ruth Roman’s movie Barricade (1950).

Also in the cast are Stanley Andrews (Sheriff), Walter Coy, Charles Evans (Redrock Sheriff), Luther Crockett, Monte Blue, Ben Corbett, Herman Hack, Jack Mower, Franklyn Farnum, Artie Ortego, Buddy Roosevelt, and Howard Negley.

Colt .45 starts is the basis for the Warner Bros’ 1957-60 Colt .45 TV series with Wayde Preston, Kenneth MacDonald and Donald May.

It is followed by Randolph Scott and Marin by Fort Worth.

It is the penultimate film of Alan Hale Sr, who died that year on 22 January 1950, aged 57, after 247 credits.

It is on DVD on 4 Film Favorites: Randolph Scott Westerns [DVD] [Region 1] with Fort Worth, Tall Man Riding and Ride the High Country.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7216

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