Blaine Madden (Rory Calhoun) was somewhat an ambiguous character in this early Sixties Western. Certainly, the town of Sanctuary considered 'El Gavilan' a hero, but his killing of the Surly Brothers (Lane Bradford, Glenn Stensel) on the outskirts of Baxter clearly placed his actions outside the law. Once regarded as a potential deputy by Sheriff Ben Corey (Rod Cameron), Madden's independent streak had him leave for parts unknown three years earlier, earning a reputation as a rugged gunfighter. On his return to Baxter, Madden found himself immediately drawn into a saloon brawl involving young tough Reb Roan (Rod Lauren), a self-admitted card cheat who quickly took a shine to Blaine's stepping in to help him out. Roan returned the favor when Corey attempted to arrest Madden; right after the sheriff shot Madden in the arm with his back turned, Reb knocked him out and pursued Madden to remove the bullet from his arm and accompany him to Sanctuary.
It's after the pair arrive in the Mexican village of Sanctuary that you have to take things with a certain grain of salt. At times barely able to lift his right arm due to the bullet wound, Madden has no trouble mixing it up with hotshot gunslinger Johnny Flanders (Robert J. Wilke), running him out of town after a blistering dust up in the town saloon. Eventually however, his arm becomes seriously infected, and even with the loving care provided by Madden's admirer Marleen (Ruta Lee), he comes to the realization that he may be dying. With Roan's help, Madden prepares for a final showdown, but it's not with the sheriff and his overzealous deputy (Morgan Woodward). With the words "We're gonna set each other free", Blaine squares off against Reb, who's only alternative is to defend himself against Madden's draw.
The psychological angle at play for the conclusion of this story was unique, but it's not the first time I've encountered it. In my favorite episode of the Western TV series 'Lawman' titled 'Yawkey', gunslinger Ray Danton, tired and worn out by the constant challenge of young gunslingers trying to prove themselves, calls out John Russell's Marshal Troop for a gunfight in the middle of town. During the inevitable showdown Yawkey draws first, but Marshal Troop's slower draw finds its mark. Later, the marshal learns his opponent's gun was empty, and finds himself respecting the way the infamous gunslinger planned his own death.
It's after the pair arrive in the Mexican village of Sanctuary that you have to take things with a certain grain of salt. At times barely able to lift his right arm due to the bullet wound, Madden has no trouble mixing it up with hotshot gunslinger Johnny Flanders (Robert J. Wilke), running him out of town after a blistering dust up in the town saloon. Eventually however, his arm becomes seriously infected, and even with the loving care provided by Madden's admirer Marleen (Ruta Lee), he comes to the realization that he may be dying. With Roan's help, Madden prepares for a final showdown, but it's not with the sheriff and his overzealous deputy (Morgan Woodward). With the words "We're gonna set each other free", Blaine squares off against Reb, who's only alternative is to defend himself against Madden's draw.
The psychological angle at play for the conclusion of this story was unique, but it's not the first time I've encountered it. In my favorite episode of the Western TV series 'Lawman' titled 'Yawkey', gunslinger Ray Danton, tired and worn out by the constant challenge of young gunslingers trying to prove themselves, calls out John Russell's Marshal Troop for a gunfight in the middle of town. During the inevitable showdown Yawkey draws first, but Marshal Troop's slower draw finds its mark. Later, the marshal learns his opponent's gun was empty, and finds himself respecting the way the infamous gunslinger planned his own death.