Glenn Ford is "The Fastest Gun Alive" but bad guy Broderick Crawford thinks he is and that's about all you need to know. Russell Rouse's western may be predictable but is also so single-minded, so concerned with nothing other than Ford's ability to draw a gun quicker than anyone else, that it actually exerts quite a grip. It's not particularly well-written or directed, (Rouse was never a name to conjour with), but it has a fine cast, (as well as Ford and Crawford, others involved include Jeanne Crain, Russ Tamblyn, Allyn Joslyn, Leif Erickson and John Dehner), and is superbly photographed in black and white by 13 time Oscar nominee George J. Folsey. It may not be one of the great westerns but it certainly is a good one.

I like Glenn ford so right there we score high. Then, add a good story, a western, guns, saloon, whiskey, horses, bad guys, good guys, and a bank robbery and you got yourself a Western as good as it gets. Realize that there are so many stories of the wild west and this be one of them. I always enjoy seeing these because they remind me of how cities came to be step by step. For instance they had no fire codes, setbacks, sidewalks, curbs or gutters so a fire could wipe out an entire town. They probably did too. That's how our codes came to be. I also look for one other thing that in all my years I have only seen twice in a Western i.e. horse dung in the streets. They just always clean that up for the cameras. Me, I think it is a take-away from the realism. This movie has some good suspense, drama and some thrill moments. Notice too how everyone knew everyone else and when these cities grew larger, that didn't change. Today, the cities are so large that we rely on separate communities to maintain close ties and even then, we eliminated the front porch on the way making everyone just really stay in or in their backyards. The 50's churned out some quality Westerns and pics in general this being one of them. Recommend some beef jerky or a small dinner with a tasty drink while watching. Mount-up and lets ride!

I love good movies, who doesn't, but I especially love movies that are one-of-a-kind, that break the mold, that don't quite fit the mold, constantly surprise the viewer, and ultimately deliver the goods. One of the most watchable westerns ever. Glen Ford is what could be one of his best roles, subtle, anxious, looking to do the right thing, never pushing. And Jeanne Crain doing what she does best, spurring on her man. (Opps, not trying to be sexist BUT THE ROLE WAS WRITTEN THAT WAY). And -- who knew? -- after literally 100's of Hollywood westerns have passed over the creative bridge, THIS IS THE FIRST TO POINT OUT that being "fast" takes ... Duh .. practice? Superb story -- quiet storekeeper is, in fact, a closet gunslinger who practices each and every day of his life ... as long as he can get away from the little woman, of course. All is fine is until one day the town bully pushes the little guy a bit too far, and he snaps and teaches the bully a lesson. And in the process does a gun trick that only a handful of men alive could do. And a little boy sees this ... and remembers. That's all the spoiler you get, but this one is a keeper.

This is a mediocre "B" Western that feels like a really long episode of "Gunsmoke". It is not without merit, however.Here's what was good:Glenn Ford puts in a brooding performance has a retired gunfighter who is struggling to adapt to domestic town life.Jeanne Crain looked very attractive as his wife.Solid supporting cast with Broderick Crawford and John Dehner.Clever twist endingHere's what kept it from being better:Felt more like a stage play than a movie.No location shooting. Strictly back lot.