Backlash

2/10/2017

There's things a man has to know and has to do, and it's best that he does them alone. Backlash (1956) is directed by John Sturges and adapted by Borden Chase from the novel written by Frank Gruber. It stars Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, John McIntire & William Campbell. It's shot in Technicolor by Irving Glassberg on location in Tuscon, Arizona. 1870 Arizona, and Jim Slater (Widmark) is searching for the truth about what happened to his father during the Apache ambush at Gila Valley. This brings him into contact with strong willed Karyl Orton (Reed), who courtesy of her missing husband also has an interest in the events of that raid. Missing family members and missing gold, the can is now open and worms are pouring out every where. It's about the writing and the characters here. F

3/8/2025

**_Colorful Western marred by eye-rolling 50’s Hollywood-isms_** After a man and a woman meet in Gila Valley in southern Arizona (Richard Widmark and Donna Reed), they eventually discern that they’re both looking for the mystery survivor of an Apache massacre who made off with a stolen fortune (John McIntire). “Backlash” (1956) has vibrant Southwestern locations and the staples of gunfights, stagecoaches, wraith-like Indian attacks, a salty calvary sergeant (Barton MacLane), saloons and a brash punk gunfighter (William Campbell). Speaking of the latter, it’s entertaining seeing diminutive Harry Morgan convincingly pull-off a no-nonsense gunfighter. Think about it, if you’re skilled with a pistol and have the nerve, it doesn’t matter how tall you are, right? Regrettably, it’s flawe