In this western, Lily Fasken has just had a baby with no father. When a nice guy (Burt Lancaster) helps her, her two no-good brothers think it's because the baby is his...but it actually belongs to one of Lancaster's friends (the no-goodnick played by Robert Walker). Yet, despite the brothers trying to kill Lancaster, Walker still says the child isn't his--mostly because he's a coward and doesn't want his new wife to know about his formerly wild ways. And, he even goes so far as to go behind Lancaster's back--trying to get him killed! Why?! See this film and see what becomes of this horrible man and our hero.
While Burt Lancaster worked out well in this film because of his great physique, casting Walker was just plain strange. While I liked Walker in such films as "Strangers on a Train" and "The Clock", I just felt that he was completely out of place in a western--as was his motivations. I am sure that audiences of the day felt much the same way. In addition, you really wondered why Lancaster as well as the two female leads in the film all kept Walker's secret for so long--he certainly didn't seem to deserve or inspire such loyalty. In addition, the added narration seemed out of place and unnecessary--like it was added later to try to tied the film together...unsuccessfully. Despite these serious problems, the film is entertaining and watchable...but certainly NOT especially memorable.
While Burt Lancaster worked out well in this film because of his great physique, casting Walker was just plain strange. While I liked Walker in such films as "Strangers on a Train" and "The Clock", I just felt that he was completely out of place in a western--as was his motivations. I am sure that audiences of the day felt much the same way. In addition, you really wondered why Lancaster as well as the two female leads in the film all kept Walker's secret for so long--he certainly didn't seem to deserve or inspire such loyalty. In addition, the added narration seemed out of place and unnecessary--like it was added later to try to tied the film together...unsuccessfully. Despite these serious problems, the film is entertaining and watchable...but certainly NOT especially memorable.