A Genre In Retrospect: The Western - Part 4

If you’re looking for a nice and quick western that carries a lot of punches and has a unique story, look no further than Joseph H. Lewis’s ‘Terror In A Texas Town’ (1958). Starring the one and only Sterling Hayden, this small town western film knows exactly what it needs to do. There isn’t a huge cast or grand showdowns, but instead, an intimate story about one man trying to get his home back. These are the type of westerns that often get overlooked, but this is the good stuff. 

Sterling Hayden stars as a Swedish man who returns to his fathers home in a small western town. When he finds out about his father’s passing, and the struggle to get his land, he has to take the law into his own matters. Hayden was always a classic actor who had a massive build on the screen. Towering over everyone, he used his height to his advantage. In this film, he is clearly more timid, but carries a belly full of anger. His acting style changes for sure when you watch him in ‘The Asphalt Jungle’ (1950), to ‘The Killing’ (1956) and ‘The Ling Goodbye’ (1973). He never plays the same. Character, and he manages to change his tone for every film. That’s why he is a perfect choice for this film, and he nailed the role. 

A good number of westerns always thought they had to be massive stories with a huge cast and a long running timeline. Films like ‘The Searchers’ (1956), ‘The Big Country’ (1958) and ‘How The West Was Won’ (1962). This is some quality stuff, but I found some of the westerns I really enjoy, are the quick watches that center a short period and has a clear story. For example, one of my all time favorites is ‘Day Of The Outlaw’ (1959), starring Robert Ryan and Burl Ives. This is a small and intimate western, much like ‘Terror In A Texas Town’ (1958). Both movies have a lot to say, but manage to do so in a short run time. Don’t knock the little movies because they aren’t as epic as some other films, this is what westerns truly are, and there are so many to choose from. 

We often see the classic cowboy in a western like this, where he needs to avenge his family in one way or another. Not often is the main lead from this time a harpoon wielding Swedish man. What a fun concept for a film, and truthfully, it pretty much works. The classic trope of one final showdown is clear and present, but with the twist of some harpoon action. Classical westerns like this that have their own unique twists are always a treat for me, and when I get lucky and find ones like this, I definitely have to go and watch it right away.

I had plenty of fun with ‘Terror In A Texas Town’ (1958) and I’m excited to give this a rewatch down the line. The story is unique but classical tropes are all still there for this western. The run time flys by at just over 80 minutes, and there is very little fat left in the film. I’m sure people thought of this as a rush job, or a quick and dirty film, but honestly, this is a solid little western that really did the trick. If you find yourself holding this DVD, do yourself a favor and indulge, it’s a class act film.