1955's "Hidden Guns" belies its status as a Poverty Row Republic Western with a script that allows its actors to enact the clichéd characters in their own inimitable style. Current singing star Faron Young, using his own name as the deputy, provides singing commentary on the action, just like Tex Ritter did for the 1952 classic "High Noon," and this marked only the second featured role for 24 year old Angie Dickinson as the doctor's daughter, only four years away from "Rio Bravo." The setting is Youngstown (not Ohio), where the crooked Stragg (Bruce Bennett) has the townspeople evicted, and the politicians in his hip pocket, until Sheriff Ward Young (Richard Arlen) discovers a witness willing to testify against him in his brother's murder. Enter the suitably named hired killer Snipe Harding (scene stealing John Carradine), who astutely sizes up the job, easily increasing his salary before riding to Youngstown to provide the 'hidden guns' for his evil confederate. This was probably the juiciest Western role Carradine had during the 50s (see also "Showdown at Boot Hill"), his deceptive tactics and humorous demeanor providing excellent cover for his death dealing prowess (Carradine and Bennett would be reunited three years later in "The Cosmic Man"). Watch for solid work from longtime veterans Lloyd Corrigan, Irving Bacon, Ben Welden, and Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams.
Review of Hidden Guns
