Gunsmoke in Tucson (1958) starring Mark Stevens, Forrest Tucker, Gale Robbins, Vaughn Taylor, John Ward, Kevin Hagen, Gail Kobe, George Keymas directed by Thomas Carr Movie Review

Gunsmoke in Tucson (1958)   3/53/53/53/53/5


John Ward and Mark Stevens in Gunsmoke in Tucson (1958)

One of Those Westerns from the 1950's

"Gunsmoke in Tucson" is one of those westerns from the 1950's which I can't give you a reason to watch, not because it is bad but because it is just one of those westerns from the 1950's. It has a familiar plot line with two brothers on either side of the law, a couple of pretty women, sodbusters and an evil businessman after their land all of which are stereotypical elements which remain just stereotypical. That doesn't make it a bad movie but a western really for those who are devotees of the genre and who will watch "Gunsmoke in Tucson" for what it is rather than for what it offers.

As young boys John (Forrest Tucker - Pony Express) and Chip (Mark Stevens) were forced to witness their father being hung by a gang kicking farmers of their land, now as adults Chip has made his name as a deadly outlaw whilst John as a US Marshal. Having served time Chip decides to try and go straight but finds himself in the midst of trouble when some sodbusters lead by Clem Haney (Kevin Hagen) ask him to protect them from Ben Bodeen (Vaughn Taylor) and his henchmen who are forcing them off their land. Unwilling to put himself in the thick of it that is exactly what happens when Bodeen stitches him up and makes it out that Chip is the one destroying the sodbusters homes which brings his brother John to the territory to bring an end to Chip's criminal life once and for all.

Kevin Hagen in Gunsmoke in Tucson (1958)

I mentioned earlier that "Gunsmoke in Tucson" is a western really for those who are fans of the genre which is sort of ironic because as such it offers up nothing really new as it uses the familiar set up of two brothers on opposing sides of the law. But whilst "Gunsmoke in Tucson" comes across as familiar it still remains entertaining and is solidly made with the cliche story elements from romance to bad guys stitching up good guys nicely worked till we get to the big climax. And whilst the climax is not the most amazing you can sort of see the potential with a nice stand off in the streets where there is a switch going on. In fact with more money and time spent on the script "Gunsmoke in Tucson" could have been a better than average western rather than just another one of those westerns from the 1950's.

Other than that there isn't a lot to say, Mark Stevens is good as Chip, delivering an element of reluctance when it comes to being asked to help but he isn't memorable. That is the same with Forrest Tucker who as John really only has a small part to play in the movie although in fairness an important part. The most memorable that "Gunsmoke in Tucson" gets is thanks to John Ward who as gun fighter Slick Kirby does exude coolness although Kevin Hagen is also unintentionally amusing as the overly religious and forgiving sodbuster Clem Haney.

What this all boils down to is that "Gunsmoke in Tucson" is nothing more than just one of those westerns from the 1950's. It is solid enough with some nice action but overall it is both unoriginal and forgettable adding nothing to the western genre.


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