Michael O'Keefe
Feels like Saturday morning at the movies. We want a hero; and Glenn Ford will do just fine. George Temple (Ford) is a former gunslinger, who is more than ready to put those days in his past. His reputation is discovered and he and his faithful wife, Dora (Jeanne Crain), seek another small town to call home. Temple becomes a shopkeeper, but when he gets drunk and shows off his skill with a gun, a tough guy (Broderick Crawford) would like to take him on.A good B&W western from MGM; gun smoke and trail dust in the air. No doubt about mild mannered Ford being the star. The cast also features: Russ Tamblyn, Leif Erickson, Noah Berry Jr., Allyn Joslyn, Virginia Gregg and John Doucette.
Richie-67-485852
I like Glenn ford so right there we score high. Then, add a good story, a western, guns, saloon, whiskey, horses, bad guys, good guys, and a bank robbery and you got yourself a Western as good as it gets. Realize that there are so many stories of the wild west and this be one of them. I always enjoy seeing these because they remind me of how cities came to be step by step. For instance they had no fire codes, setbacks, sidewalks, curbs or gutters so a fire could wipe out an entire town. They probably did too. That's how our codes came to be. I also look for one other thing that in all my years I have only seen twice in a Western i.e. horse dung in the streets. They just always clean that up for the cameras. Me, I think it is a take-away from the realism. This movie has some good suspense, drama and some thrill moments. Notice too how everyone knew everyone else and when these cities grew larger, that didn't change. Today, the cities are so large that we rely on separate communities to maintain close ties and even then, we eliminated the front porch on the way making everyone just really stay in or in their backyards. The 50's churned out some quality Westerns and pics in general this being one of them. Recommend some beef jerky or a small dinner with a tasty drink while watching. Mount-up and lets ride!
Wizard-8
With a title like "The Fastest Gun Alive", many people will probably be expecting a western jam packed with action. Actually, there is very little action in the entire movie - it's more of a serious drama and a character study. But don't let that dissuade you, because the movie is very well done. While Glenn Ford was never thought as one of the greatest actors of the golden age of Hollywood, he shows here (as in his other movies) he could portray a character who was flawed yet sympathetic. The scenes where his character is conflicted or under great strain are very convincing. Ford really helps to sell the basic theme of the movie that being a top gun in the wild west was not the glamorous position often portrayed in other westerns - there's nothing fun about killing someone, even if it seems that the victim deserved it. There is a more human feel to the characters and situations here than you usually get in westerns. The ending is kind of predictable, and the Russ Tamblyn dance number, while spectacular and fun by itself, doesn't really fit with the dead seriousness of the rest of the movie. But aside from those two minor quibbles, the movie is a solid western for fans of the genre in the mood for something more serious and thought-provoking than usual.
wes-connors
Folks in the western town of "Cross Creek" think gentle storekeeper Glenn Ford (as George Temple) is a gun-shy teetotaler. When they drink and tell stories about gunmen who shoot fast from the hip, Mr. Ford becomes disturbed. Beautiful pregnant wife Jeanne Crain (as Dora) tries to comfort her man, but Ford is unable to conceal his secret; he gets drunk and tells a saloon full of men he's "The Fastest Gun Alive". Meanwhile, nasty gunslinger Broderick Crawford (as Vinnie Harold) is busy building his reputation as the area's quickest draw. When Mr. Crawford learns a fast gunslinger is in the area, he wants a duel...This is a surprisingly thoughtful western parable, which director Russell Rouse and writer Frank D. Gilroy bring effectively to the motion picture screen. There is a rushed, low-budget quality to some of the story. But, many in the supporting cast make it look almost natural. Ford proves himself to be an excellent leading man; this was one of several films which propelled him into the annual "Top Ten Money-Making Stars" list prepared by Quigley Publications. A completely out-of-place and literally "off the wall" dance sequence by Russ Tamblyn (as Eric) is an early highlight; why wasn't this in "That's Entertainment"?******* The Fastest Gun Alive (7/6/56) Russell Rouse ~ Glenn Ford, Jeanne Crain, Broderick Crawford, Russ Tamblyn
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