West of Abilene

October. 20,1940      NR
Rating:
7.3
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Frontiersman Tom Garfield and his pals endeavor to save their land from the clutches of slimy easterner Forsyth. The villain hires a bit of local muscle in the form of brutish Chris Matson, but he's no match for our hero.

Charles Starrett as  Tom Garfield
Bruce Bennett as  Frank Garfield
Marjorie Cooley as  Judith Burnside
William Pawley as  Chris Matson
Don Beddoe as  Forsyth
George Cleveland as  Bill Burnside
Forrest Taylor as  Sheriff
Bob Nolan as  Bob
Bud Osborne as  Wilson
Pat Brady as  Pat, Sons of the Pioneers Band Member

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Reviews

Matialth
1940/10/20

Good concept, poorly executed.

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Executscan
1940/10/21

Expected more

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Merolliv
1940/10/22

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

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Gary
1940/10/23

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

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JohnHowardReid
1940/10/24

Charles Starrett (Tom Garfield), Marjorie Cooley (Judith Burnside), Bruce Bennett (Frank Garfield), William Pawley (Chris Matson), Don Beddoe (Forsyth), George Cleveland (Bill Burnside), Forrest Taylor (sheriff), William A. Kellogg (deputy), Bob Nolan (Bob), Francis Walker (Bat), Eddie Laughton (Poke), Vestor Pegg (Kennedy), Bud Osborne (Wilson), Frank Ellis (settler), Ted Mapes (stunt double for Charles Starrett), and the Sons of the Pioneers: Bob Nolan, Pat Brady, Hugh Farr, Carl Farr, Lloyd Perryman.Director: RALPH CEDER. Screenplay: Paul Franklin. Photography: George Meehan. Film editor: Charles Nelson. Music director: Morris W. Stoloff. Songs by Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer. Stunts: Francis Walker. Assistant director: Wilbur McGaugh. Associate producer: Leon Barsha.Copyright 29 June 1940 by Columbia Pictures Corp. No New York opening. U.S. release: 21 October 1940. 57 minutes. U.K. release title: The SHOWDOWN.SYNOPSIS: Settlers battle with land-grabbers.NOTES: Starrett's 37th western.COMMENT: Quite passable "B" western. The direction is efficient - at times even a trifle imaginative (the first encounter with Chris Matson - so skilfully played by William Pawley - with his back to Starrett; the climax with the ticking clock). And there is enough action to get by, though the script is inclined to be talky and there is far too much footage inside some very cheep and cheesy studio interiors. The songs. alas, are also mediocre.

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