weezeralfalfa
I much enjoyed this unusual western, although I think the title is not appropriate. It's sort of like a cross between a Shirley Temple movie and "The Cowboys", with John Wayne leading a group of boys on a cattle drive. It works for me. The relationship between Gregory Peck, as Clay, and Dawn Lyn, as Decky, serves as comic relief between the sinister aspects of the film. At the adult? level, prostitute Alma serves a similar purpose. Arthur Hunnicutt provides a little 'backwoods' flavor in one scene. Even 'the Gang of 3' camp followers occasionally provide some humor. Newly released from an 8 year prison stay, the first thing that Clay wants to do is 'pay back' his bank robbing partner Sam Foley(James Gregory) for betraying him. But, his plan of action is unexpectedly complicated by the arrival by train of a 7 year old girl claimed to possibly be his daughter by a prostitute old girlfriend. He hesitantly accepts this responsibility , taking her along on his search for Foley. Meanwhile, Foley has hired 3 young men(Bobby Jay, Pepe, and Skeeter) to keep an eye on Clay's movements, with instructions not to kill him. Eventually, Clay and Decky are temporarily taken in by widow Juliana(Pat Quinn). during a rain storm. Being lonely, except for her son, she suggests that Clay and Decky might want to stay on and help her run her ranch. But, their romantic progress is interrupted by the Gang of 3, looking for their firearms which Clay had confiscated in a previous altercation. Holding their "hosts" hostage, Bobby Jay plays a dangerous shooting game. A while later, Bobby Jay is the only one of the 4(including prostitute Alma) still alive. He gallops back to Foley to tell him what's happened. The final gun duels and shooting games happen in Foley's office. Clay and Decky are then reunited with each other and with Juliana and her son.Hope you like it. Available in color at You Tube
bmkaburl
Is this a classic? Well no, but it isn't terrible either. People who love westerns and the west will enjoy this film. Is this Peck's greatest film? No, but Peck being one of the best actors ever to come out of Hollywood never gave a bad performance. This film also co-stars the great character actor James Gregory who also never gave a bad performance. Veteran character actors Paul Fix and Arthur Honnicutt have small roles but give their usual fine performances. These performances makeup for some of the other poor acting by supporting players. This film has beautiful scenery, lots of action and an unusual story line. What more needs to be said? Enjoy!
Michael_Elliott
Shoot Out (1971) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Western from the same producer, screenwriter and director of True Grit has Gregory Peck being released from prison after seven years and heading off to kill the man who shot him in the back during a bank robbery. Before he can carry out his plan he has an unexpected gift of a six year old girl who starts to have an effect on the old cowboy. This isn't really a good film but it's a slight entertainment that features some good action and a fine performance from Peck. I wouldn't say this was an A+ Peck performance but he manages to keep the film moving even though the supporting cast doesn't offer him much. The little girl at times can be annoying but that happens sometimes. I think the biggest problem for the film is that we've seen this story countless times before and this one here doesn't offer anything new and even in the end the film goes off on different story lines than what he set out to be.
tsgallag
This film barely held my interest, mainly because it was fun identifying the same locations where "True Grit" scenes were filmed. The most glaring was the spot where Gregory Peck and the girl camped before he got the drop on the three outlaws. That was the same place where John Wayne, et al. raided the shack where Moon and Quincy were waiting for Lucky Ned Pepper. It even looked like the same camera angle for the initial shot. Could have been cribbed from "True Grit", who knows? Other than playing "what happened on this spot in "True Grit", there wasn't much else to recommend this film. Gregory Peck looked like he was sleepwalking, and Dawn Lyn as the little girl was annoying, at best. The music was awful - it was like something out of a TV western, or even a crime show. One plus was the performance of John Davis Chandler (credited as John Chandler here), playing yet another whiny, heavy lidded heavy. He wasn't given much to do, unfortunately, since most of the bad guy attention went to Robert F. Lyons. Not worth a second look, IMHO.
AD
