Review of Dawn at Socorro (1954) by Kevin R — 14 Mar 2014

All of my friends are enemies.

Brett Wade is a ruthless gunfighter trying to find a new life, but trouble always finds him. He becomes especially inspired to change his life when he is diagnosed with tuberculosis followed by meeting a poor young girl on a train. He tries to show the girl, from a man who knows hard life, that the hard life isn't for her. All she sees is a gun fighter that appears to be like every man she has ever met. It is up to Brett to show her he has learned from the error of his ways.

"What was your sin?".

"Turning into a woman.".

George Sherman, director of Big Jake, Panic Button, Comanche, The Wizard of Baghdad, The Sleeping City, South of the Border, and Outlaws of Sonora, delivers Dawn of Socorro. The storyline for this picture is actually quite interesting. I loved each character's story, the settings, and pace of the film were all very good. The acting is very solid and the cast includes Lee Van Cleef, Rory Calhoun, Piper Laurie, Kathleen Hughes, and Roy Roberts.

"Who's chasing you?".

"My past.".

I DVR'd this picture off Turner Classic Movies (TCM) during a Lee Van Cleef marathon. Van Cleef was a solid villain but he wasn't as ruthless as I would have hoped. Overall, this is an excellent western that is worth a viewing but isn't an all time classic.

"I remember the quick and I remember the dead.".

Grade: B.