No Matter How Fast You Are, There's Always Someone Faster

jmarchese

"The Fastest Gun Alive" is a TCM western released in 1956 about the costs involved in possessing the title, "The Fastest Gun Alive." Glenn Ford plays an excellent role of George Temple, a mild mannered store keeper with a relentless compulsion to be seen and heard. Temple's wife Dora, excellently portrayed by Jeanne Crain, has seen this compulsion before and is worried sick over George.

Academy Award winning actor Broderick Crawford plays an outstanding role as Vinnie Harold, the consummate bad guy exuding evil at every turn. Short tempered & mean, audiences will detest him. Yet, he has a soft spot for kids, dogs, and at least some decent human beings.

Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Frank Gilroy co-wrote an excellent screenplay based on his story, " The Last Notch." I thoroughly enjoyed the story line for the many lessons taught: 1) No matter how good you are, there's always someone better, 2) Everybody loves a winner, 3) Evil consumes its own players, 4) Town folks must be ready to collectively defend their town against evil, 5) Pride & status should never be shown off at the expense of other's feelings, 6) How assumptions can be extremely misleading, and finally 7) The reality fear factor of a gun fight.

Character development is excellent between several towns folk and their reaction to George Temple's misunderstood peculiarities. Almost all like and respect George as a mild mannered store keeper; but none are ready for the real George Temple. In addition, the viewing audience is treated to a sequence from talented acrobatic dancer Russ Tamblyn, who gained considerable note in "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers." The story flows and suspense gradually builds to support the ending sequence.

The Fastest Gun Alive received only a 7.1 out of 10 rating which I feel is too low given all of the movie's components, probably because some do not understand the many lessons incorporated into the story. Vinnie Harold's interaction with his own men proves out how evil consumes its own players. The town's reaction to George's actions proves that everybody loves a winner. Their assumptions about him show how wrong they can be.

But you cannot deny this B & W western did achieve Turner Classic Movie status.

score 9/10

jmarchese 13 July 2017

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3753517/