Gunmen of the Rio Grande
                    
Director: Fred F. Sears
Year: 1964
Rating: 6.0
Wyatt Earp goes Italian. Spaghetti Western that is. I expect this doesn't rank very high in that genre, but I found it enjoyable enough with a fine score from Angelo Lavagnino (who had over 200 composer credits), a handsome good guy, a sleazy bad guy, a Mexican bandito, a town drunk and two beautiful women. And lots of horses and gunplay. Directed by Tulio Demicheli who covered all the genres during the 1960s and 70s. Shot in the lovely, rugged mountains of Andalucia. The Italian title is Desafío en Río Bravo.



This takes place after the O.K Corral and Earp's revenge tour. He seems to be a killer for hire and is brought to a dusty old town by Jennie Lee, the owner of the local saloon, who needs his help with the town boss who owns most everything but of course wants more. She is played by Madeleine Lebeau, last seen by most of us singing the Marseille in Casablanca. Twenty-two years later and she is still a stunner. Those French. The other beauty is a mine owner who the big boss is trying to push out by stealing all her shipments. She is played by the desultory and sexy red-headed José Greci who was Mary in Ben-Hur and appeared in many Peplum films. Her name here is Clementine and at one point she whistles it joined in by Earp. So, he finally gets his Clementine. after riding away from her in My Darling Clementine.




Earp is played by Guy Madison. A very affable Earp here with a quick draw. He had a lot of practice playing Wild Bill Hickok in over a hundred episodes on TV. But like many American actors he found his way over to Europe and stayed for years playing in spy, adventure and western films. Nothing about him grates which I like. But best in the film is the Mexican Bandito played by Fernando Sancho. Believe me, you have seen him if you have watched many Euro-genre films - probably as a Mexican bandito. Over 200 films and many of them Spaghetti Westerns. He is an honorable bandito here. "I never shot a man in the back".  Good to see that Wyatt made it over to Italy.