Warlock (1959)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Warlock (1959) – E. Dmytryk

Fifties Western in Technicolor with more unusual character relationships than in the prototypic version (although truly the Western was a genre that explored unusual themes).  Warlock is a town that has not been around long enough to have a sheriff of its own; it is subject to marauding attacks from a local gang of cattle rustlers who get drunk and shoot up the place.  So, the citizens’ committee hire Clay Blaisdell (Henry Fonda), an infamous gun for hire, as local marshal to rout them out – he brings with him his partner, a casino boss (and secret gunslinger), Tom Morgan (Anthony Quinn). While this is happening, we see Johnny Gannon (Richard Widmark) hanging around the edge of the crowd – his younger brother is in the outlaw gang but Johnny belongs neither with them nor with the citizen’s committee.  He’s a weak character but when the opportunity presents itself, he’s the only one to step up to take on the role of deputy sheriff, representing law and order in Warlock.  The plot then unfolds as a test of wills between Blaisdell, Morgan, and Gannon with the fate of the outlaw gang and the town of Warlock hanging in the balance.  Will the community back the rule of law or the “might makes right” code of the gunslingers?  Dorothy Malone adds another twist to the plot, as a love interest for Gannon, previously Morgan’s gal – except he only has eyes for Blaisdell perhaps? After a nearly too pat ending, there’s a coda that ends things on a more satisfying note.  Worth a look, if this is your genre.