The First Texan *** (1956, Joel McCrea, Felicia Farr, Jeff Morrow) – Classic Movie Review 8025

Director Byron Haskin’s 1956 Technicolor and Cinemascope Western film The First Texan stars Joel McCrea, who gives a resolute performance, ageing effectively from callow youth to canny Texas president, in this entertaining biopic of East Coast lawyer-turned-Westerner Sam Houston, coming to Texas to aid the Texans to throw off Mexico’s yoke.

The good cast and Haskin’s sterling direction are the making of this bouncy and busy minor Fifties Western, with enough well-staged action among the involving drama. The nice, clean and Daniel B Ullman’s clear, crisp script wisely avoids getting bogged down in historical niceties. Wilfrid M Cline’s Technicolor photography is a big asset, too.

Jeff Morrow plays Jim Bowie, he of the famous knife and inspiration for rock star David Bowie’s showbiz name. It also features Felicia Farr, Wallace Ford, Abraham Sofaer, Jody McCrea, Chubby Johnson, Dayton Lummis, Rodolfo Hoyos Jr, William Hopper, Roy Roberts, David Silva, Frank Puglia, Salvador Baguez, James Griffith, Nelson Leigh, Lane Chandler, Myron Healey, Carl Benton Reid, Scott Douglas, Nestor Paiva and William Phipps.

The First Texan is directed by Byron Haskin, runs 82 minutes, is made by Mirisch, is released by Allied Artists, is written by Daniel B Ullman (screenplay), based on his story, is shot in Technicolor and CinemaScope by Wilfrid M Cline, is produced by Walter Mirisch, is scored by Roy Webb, and is designed by Dave Milton.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 8025

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