PLOT SUMMARY
Orson Welles lookalike McNeil wants the squatters to get the f off his land, which he doesn’t own so that he can get all that lovely black gold that’s just beneath the surface. He hires steel-handed Johnny Crale to convince the folks to leave, and if they don’t, BAM! A shot to the face is what is in store. Crale kills the wrong man, and the dead man’s son shows up to rile up the townsfolks and take back what is theirs!
Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Actors: Sterling Hayden, Sebastian Cabot, Carol Kelly
Genre: Western
Year of Release: 1958
Film review
Director Joseph H. Lewis (Gun Crazy) decided to end his movie career with the flick that is on the agenda today, Terror in a Texas Town. Lewis didn’t exactly quit directing but switched to directing TV shows. I’m not entirely sure why he chose to get away from the big pictures, as Terror in a Texas Town is not a bad movie. It’s almost certainly a B-Western with a few notable names. It’s quick paced and has an interesting story.
It is possible people were put off by Sterling Hayden’s caricature portrayal of a Swede, George, which is a bit on the nose, but he is an enjoyable character that has you rooting for him. Nedrick Young also does an excellent job of playing the relic from the past cowboy, Crale, sent on a task to take care of some stubborn individuals who are not willing to give up their land to the fat cat millionaire who wants the oil.
From the opening moment of forecasting the standoff at the end of the film, Terror in a Texas Town is the unsophisticated western where you can turn your brain off and just have a relaxing time watching the inevitable stand off between George and Crale.
Violence
Terror in a Texas Town isn’t a bloody film, as it was shot in 1958 and is in black and white. There are bloodless and holeless gun wounds. That’s about it.
sex/nudity
Violence isn’t the only thing missing from Terror in a Texas Town. There is no sex or nudity either, which isn’t surprising. We do get some nice-looking women.
interesting elements
- Albeit short, the stand off was fun.
- Harpoon weapon!
- McNeil’s “secretary.”
Blu-Ray specs
Blu-ray Specs
- Brand-new 2K restoration from original film elements produced by Arrow Films exclusively for this release
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
- Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM Audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Introduction by Peter Stanfield, author of Hollywood, Westerns and the 1930s: The Lost Trail and Horse Opera: The Strange History of the Singing Cowboy
- Scene-select commentaries by Stanfield
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Vladimir Zimakov
- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Glenn Kenny
Blu-Ray Review
Video
Arrow Video has released Terror in a Texas Town under their Arrow Academy line, and as usual, the results are fantastic. Arrow Video has restored the film with a 2K transfer from the original film elements. There are moments during the movie where the clarity isn’t as sharp, but other moments manage to wow you.
Audio
Audio options consist of Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM Audio, which is a bit weak at times, but there are optional English subtitles.
Extra features
Special features aren’t going to burst the seams of the package, but what has been provided by Arrow is welcome. We have a 10-minute sit down with Peter Stanfield, who discusses director Joseph H. Lewis’ work and provides an analysis of the themes of Terror in a Texas Town. Also provided is a visual analysis by Stanfield of certain scenes, which runs 14 minutes. Finally, we have the trailer and an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Glenn Kenny.
