Four Guns to the Border (1954)

Director:

Richard Carlson

Writers:

Louis L'Amour (story)
George Van Marter ...
(more)

Release Date:

18 February 1955 (Belgium)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

One for all and all for trouble!

Plot:

An outlaw gang on the lam encounters former associate Simon Bhumer and his gorgeous daughter, who's drawn to their leader Cully.

Plot Keywords:

Outlaw | Bandit | Number In Title

Cast

Rory Calhoun	...	Ray Cully
Colleen Miller	...	Lolly Bhumer
George Nader	...	Bronco
Walter Brennan	...	Simon Bhumer
Nina Foch	...	Maggie Flannery
John McIntire	...	Dutch
Charles Drake	...	Sheriff Jim Flannery
Jay Silverheels	...	Yaqui
Nestor Paiva	...	Greasy
Mary Field	...	Mrs. Pritchard
Robert F. Hoy	...	Smitty
Bob Herron	...	Evans
Regis Parton	...	Bank Cashier (as Reg Parton)
Donald Kerr	...	Town Loafer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Emile Avery	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Marshall Bradford	...	Jonathan Weeks - Bank President (uncredited)
Paul Brinegar	...	Barber (uncredited)
Tom Coleman	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Buddy Roosevelt	...	Townsman (uncredited)
Sailor Vincent	...	Townsman (uncredited)

Directed by
Richard Carlson

Writing credits
Louis L'Amour		(story)
George Van Marter		and
Franklin Coen

Produced by
William Alland	....	producer

Original Music by
Hans J. Salter		(uncredited)
Frank Skinner		(uncredited)
Herman Stein		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Russell Metty

Film Editing by
Frank Gross

Art Direction by
Alexander Golitzen
Eric Orbom

Set Decoration by
Russell A. Gausman
Julia Heron

Costume Design by
Jay A. Morley Jr.

Makeup Department
Joan St. Oegger	....	hair stylist
Bud Westmore	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tom Shaw	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Leslie I. Carey	....	sound
Corson Jowett	....	sound

Stunts
Bob Herron	....	stunts (uncredited)
Robert F. Hoy	....	stunts (uncredited)
Regis Parton	....	stunts (uncredited)
Henry Wills	....	stunts (uncredited)

Music Department
Joseph Gershenson	....	music supervisor
Henry Mancini	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Other crew
William Fritzsche	....	technicolor color consultant

Production Companies

• Universal International Pictures (UI)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1954) (USA) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

"Shadow Valley" - USA (alternative title)

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #17102, General Audience) | Sweden:15 | Norway:16

Filming Locations:

Apple Valley, California, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Goofs:

Continuity: The Bhumers and Cully's gang are going in opposite directions when they first meet; yet their paths cross again the same night.

don't miss this superior Western

This is a very enjoyable movie, though you wouldn't know it from its low (5.8) user rating. I guess that rating is due to its rather friendly disposition -- no evil bad guys, no murders, not so much action. There is a lot of amiable camaraderie amongst the protagonists, and maybe the theme of the movie (good women civilizing their menfolk) doesn't turn most Western fans on.

However, if you disregard this movie, you are missing a superior B-Western (or mediocre A-Western). It was directed by a TV and movie actor familiar to most of us, Richard Carlson, who acted in over 100 productions, including "The Creature From the Black Lagoon" and "King Solomon's Mines." Among the film's many pluses are:

¶ a surprisingly superior cast beginning with Rory Calhoun. As one reviewer said, "the rest of the cast is first choice with the a young Colleen Miller and remarkable supporting actors (the Best of Universal's contract actors) : Walter Brennan, John McIntire (in only a handful of scenes) and Charles Drake."

¶ By far, the best actor and scene in the movie is from Nina Foch. Calhoun and Drake used to be friends and hellions in town. Both apparently were friendly with Koch, who ended up marrying Drake, who became sheriff. Calhoun moved away, but continued as an outlaw. The best scene in the movie is when Calhoun returns to town to stage a fist fight with sheriff Drake as a diversion while his gang robs the bank. Great are Calhoun's reminisces with Koch, and Koch's breaking up of the fistfight.

¶ the entire production was competent and pleasant -- cinematography, scenery, color, music, direction, acting, etc.