Review of 5 Card Stud (1968) by Clay B — 17 Mar 2010

This is generally regarded as weaker than "The sons of Katie Elder" and "True Grit", which are the films Henry Hathaway made before and after this one. I did not expect too much from it, though I remember enjoying it when I first watched it in my childhood.

And well, once again I was pleasantly surprised. I actually still like it. Ok, the mystery is easy enough to solve, and the two girls trying to win the gamblers (Dean Martin) heart may not be to interesting. But still, this film is good fun. I like the slow but steady pacing, and I really like som of the acting. Mitchum is brilliant as always, though not quite as terrifying in this reverend-role as he was as Harry Powell in "The Night of the Hunter".

Not a classic, but a nice little murder mystery and western combined.