Sadly Over-hyped

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

RELEASED IN 1964 and written & directed by Bill Ward, "Ballad of a Gunfighter " is a Western about two outlaws in a Utah town, one good (Marty Robbins) and one bad (Robert Barron), who vie for the attentions of an ex-saloon girl (Joyce Redd). I say one is "good" because he's akin to Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and covertly giving to a padre (Nestor Paiva). Laurette Luez plays a seasoned saloon babe.The movie starts out with a long chase in the desert country, which is curiously quiet. In the third act there's a knockdown-drag-out fight between two rivals and then, of course, the final showdown. Other than that, this is mostly a dramatic Western with stilted dialogues, but with quality protagonists and antagonists. Interestingly, there are several swimming hole sequences consisting of Redd's character and one of her suitors, but don't expect any female eye candy. Most of the movie is town-bound, but there are some scenic Utah locations. The filmmaking is quaint and low-budget (like the actors learned their lines the same morning), but there are serious adult-oriented elements, although you have to read in between the lines. The ending is unexpected, even brave, but I guess "the wages of sin is death" (even while one hopes for redemption). One of the most successful country & western singers for the better part of four decades, Robbins wrote & sung "San Angelo," which appears on the soundtrack at the end. But don't expect his character to sing any tunes. The movie runs 84 minutes and was shot in Kanab Canyon, Kanab, Utah. GRADE: C+/B-

This movie is terrible. My name is Dale Miller. I worked for Bill and Cindy Ward at the Box W Stables during the years of 1966 to 1969. We occupied the old Marwick ranch formerly owned by Barbara Stanwyck. It was a beautiful Throbread stable and training facility during the 1940 and 1050's and located at 10,000 Reseda Blvd. across from Northridge Park. Barbara's house is still there on Devonshire St. and is being preserved as a museum. Bill was the stunt man for Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger). Traveler was the white horse used in the Lone Ranger series and owned by Bill and given to Richard (Dick) Saukko (Tommy Trojan) to become the USC mascot. For more information contact me at iamrocketman2@gmail.com

But also a Marty Robbins song that forms the basis of this curio Western. There's no point beating around the bush here, this is a bad film that's full of auto-cue acting, lame clichés and bizarre moments. Robbins as it happens is not half bad, but you can see he's not totally comfortable with performing this way. The plot has Robbins as a Robin Hood type outlaw who gets involved in a love triangle whilst coming to realise his partners in crime are not to be trusted. Cue chases, fist fights, rickety sets, a bit of outrageous gymnastics and finally the El Paso song, which is the best part of the picture!Filmed in Eastmancolor, the available print out there is poor, so bad in fact I personally chose to fade the colour out and watch in black and white. All told The Ballad of a Gunfighter is an oddity, but very hard to recommend with any sort of confidence. 3/10

This movie includes most every cliche from every prior western movie. And yet it also includes a bit extra that makes it worth a look. The main advantage is the impish charm of Marty Robbins – his performance is good enough to make me wonder why he didn't have more of a movie career. I think he could have gone much farther.The main disadvantage is that Marty Robins doesn't personally sing. I bought this movie with the expectation that he sing at least once, but that didn't happen. What genius decided it would be a good idea to make a western starring Marty Robins that didn't include at least one song performed by the man himself? A smart movie maker would have found some excuses for 3-4 songs at least.