Having read previous reviews, I nearly didn't bother to watch TQG, but was glad that I did. By the standards of the 1960s and Audie Murphy Westerns, it wasn't at all bad. Murphy wasn't the greatest actor (though he did well in The Red Badge of Courage and The Unforgiven), but many of his facial reactions in TQG were quite good.Certainly Ted de Corsia over-acted, and the hotel seemed remarkably plush for such a small town. But I've seen far worse well-lit night scenes, and the townsfolk were elderly because all the young ranch-hands were away on trail. The old gang member seemed no older than grizzled old coots such as Gabby Hayes and Walter Brennan who featured in many Westerns.Spoiler begins: Sheriff Grant's strategy was all wrong. He locks up the only other fighting man in town and lets go the two outlaws sent to reconnoitre the town. (Later, when they are captured, Dan Evans remarks that's two less; pity that they weren't arrested earlier.) And Grant was foolhardy to go out to parley with Spangler.I did suspect that some of the revolvers might be seven- or eight-shot, but at least both sides went through the motions of reloading them.

Other than Ted DeCorsia's over the top performance as an outlaw gang leader, The Quick Gun will never rate as one of Audie Murphy's better big screen westerns.After Murphy does not accept DeCorsia's offer to get cut in on bank robbery in his old home town, Murphy who was going there anyway goes double quick to warn them. His own reputation as a gunslinger precedes him though and the townfolk are skeptical. Two of them uncle and nephew Walter Sande and Rex Holman want to kill him because of range war that took Murphy's father and Sande's two sons.But his friend sheriff James Best does believe him and so does the school teacher Merry Anders who has them both on a string and the town prepares.What comes after that is for you to see, but all I can say is Best the sheriff makes one colossally stupid mistake and the plot flows from there. But don't doubt that Audie doesn't save the day after most of the cast is killed in the siege of the town. Definitely not as good as some of his work for Universal in the previous decade.

Audie Murphy stars as a reformed gunslinger/outlaw who returns to his home town, Shelby, not receiving a hospitable welcome due to his involvement in the murder of two sons of a cattleman who wanted to steal his land. Clint Cooper's reputation precedes him, but he wants to start a new life, calling upon a former flame, Helen (Mary Anders), who is now engaged to Shelby's sheriff, Scotty Wade (James Best, playing a straight character for a change, with valor, courage, and conviction). Wade is aware that a raid could happen upon Shelby in a matter of days as a sadistic outlaw (Jud Spangler, played by Ted de Corsia, quite a vicious heel who enjoys his criminal activities, not bothered with any guilt or conscience regarding the damage his crimes cause to the victims) and his band of thieves/killers, known to pillage and burn to ground towns, stealing bank money and having their way with the women that live in them. Needing Cooper's smarts and quick draw capabilities, Wade asks for his assistance but the father of the two Morrison boys he killed (Walter Sande, seething/bubbling with hate and anxious to get even with the man who sent his boys to an early grave, not acknowledging his responsibility for this incident) will look for an opening to get even, with help from nephew Rick (Rex Homan). When Cooper defends himself against the Morrisons in a barn brawl (not long after upending them in an exciting, violent bar fight) leading to their deaths, he will be imprisoned to stand trial—this happens right as Spangler and his men are about to arrive to the barricade set up in front of Shelby. What makes this a suspenseful western is that most of Shelby's men are off running cattle while the few that remained are mostly old store and business owners, not prone to firing guns. There's a pious priest, Reverend Staley (Charles Meredith), who tries to comfort the families holed up in his church, inspiring Wade to confront Spangler—not a wise move. Because Cooper once rode with Spangler, he knows the bastard's devious nature and will try to outsmart him.Ted de Corsia is essentially portraying the Black Bart character, pure evil, no moral sense of right or wrong, just concerned with booze, money, and women. Audie's character is the flawed hero who lost himself along the way and returns home to make amends and help those he cares for defeat Corsia's slimy leader and malicious posse. This film has the acquired elements we are accustomed to like the aforementioned bar brawl that has Murphy battling both Sande and Holman (who illustrate here that they aren't beneath attack one man together), with tables flying, punches thrown, and bodies bloodied and beaten. The intensity of this feud is again realized when the Morrisons plan to lynch Cooper in the barn, and he responds in self-defense, successful but quite bruised for his efforts. Murphy, as often was the case, looks like a million bucks thanks to the beauty of cinema; a war hero deserves such honors, I believe. Best, known to play weak or simpleton rednecks, has a really nice part here, emphasizing that he could portray a stalwart, sincere man of the law who unwisely attempts to talk sense into a man that thrives on committing senseless acts of violence towards innocents. The showdown at the end—you can't expect there not to be a face-off between hero and villain, now can you?—has a fascinating twist which involves Helen and Spangler's lead gun, Cagle (Mort Mills), when it appears that Cooper is up &$#* creek without a paddle. If you are looking for all the customary trappings of a B-western, "The Quick Gun" will please you. I was and it did me.

Audie Murphy is one of my favorite actors, in westerns he's real good. Clint Cooper returns to the town he was run out of, 2 years prior to the start of the movie, and he Audie, tells a flash back-like story. He returns because he wants to redeem himself, and in the beginning it's tense, but as per usual, the town begins to let Clint Cooper know, everything isn't as it seems. So, without giving the plot away and telling how well lit the scenes are, I will just end by saying if you like to root for the good guy turned bad guy, turned good guy, then you might like this film. One funny thing is seeing a rough tough rancher with a bright purple shirt on. Something tells me, that wouldn't have happened back in the day. The trouble starts when Tom Morris finds out that Clint Cooper is back in town! Tom want's revenge for Clint killing his two sons in a gun fight while Tom Morris and his sons were trying to steal Clint's families land. So the towns people hate Clint and want him gone! But the town doesn't have time to run him off this time. Spangler's on his way with his gang to rob the town and burn it to the ground if "I feel like it, nobody could stop us". Clint's been thinking about the cute little school marm he left behind, figures he can come home and pick up where he left off! But she's gonna marry Clint's old buddy the Town Sheriff. So watch and see how all this untangles! But be careful 'couse Clint's gun "got to fast"