Screen Directors Playhouse: Arroyo (1955)
*** (out of 4)
Nice Western about the sleepy town of Arroyo, New Mexico who is shaken up when a woman (Lola Albright) rides into town claiming that her wagon train was attacked by Indians. Pretty soon the Sheriff (Jack Carson) must try and figure out what really happened and the only other survivor (Neville Brand) has a murder wrap hanging over his head. Director George Waggner will always be best remembered for THE WOLF MAN but towards the later part of his career he spent most of his time with television. This here was the fourth film in the Screen Directors Playhouse series and it was certainly the best up to this point. The screenplay, also by Waggner, is at times a tad bit lost in its own twists and turns but for the most part it delivers a fairly good story and at least one that will keep viewers interesting. I think it's greatest strength is how it takes you down one path making you believe that the movie is going to be about this Indian attack but it quickly makes a few twists and turns and before long you're watching a good old-fashioned Western that doesn't follow your typical guidelines. Another strong aspect is Waggner's direction and he manages to keep the movie going at a nice pace and he also makes sure that the viewer never gets ahead of the story. Another strong point are the performances with Carson doing an extremely good job as the rather crooked Sheriff who plays judge, jury and executioner. He was very believable in the part and made for a good anti-hero. Brand, best remembered to horror fans for Tobe Hooper's EATEN ALIVE, steals the film as the dirty bad guy. We even have a nice turn by Bob Steele playing a deputy. At just 25-minutes the film doesn't feature any slow moments so fans of the genre should remain entertained.