NEVADA SMITH (1966)

Starring: Steve McQueen

Director: Henry Hathaway

The character who first appeared in Harold Robbins's The Carpetbaggers (Nevada Smith) is given a film of his own. In this episodic but well-acted film, our half-breed killer tracks down his parents' killers.

Steve McQueen, in the title role, is butcher's-freezer-cold, calculating, and merciless in this hard-hitting, gripping Western. The focus is on a senseless, vicious double murder and the revenge taken by the son of the innocent victims.

Remade as a TVM in 1975. (135 mins.)

My Rating: ***

THE HOUR OF THE GUN (1967)

Starring: James Garner, Jason Robards Jr. & Robert Ryan

Director: John Sturges

Director John Sturges's sequel to Gunfight at the O.K. Corral didn't seem like much when originally released in 1967, perhaps because James Garner was thought to have lost the charm he displayed in the TV series, Maverick. But today this outstanding western deserves to be. Garner is superb as an embittered and obsessed Wyatt Earp, who, with the help of an increasingly ailing Doc Holliday (Jason Robards, Jr.) sets out to bring Ike Clanton (Robert Ryan) to justice. Flavorful score by Jerry Goldsmith. (100 mins.)

My Rating: ***1/2

HANG 'EM HIGH (1968)

Starring: Clint Eastwood

Director: Ted Post

Clint Eastwood's first stateside spaghetti Western is a good one, with the star out to get the vigilantes who tried to hang him for a murder he didn't commit. Pat Hingle is the hangin' judge who gives Clint his license to hunt, and Ben Johnson is the marshal who saves his life. Ed Begley, Sr. is memorable as the leader of the vigilantes.

Steely avenger (Eastwood) sets out to take care of those varmints who strung him up and left him for dead. Played in Clint Eastwood's usual flinty manner, should please non-discriminating Western buffs. (114 mins.)

My Rating: **1/2

TRUE GRIT (1969)

Starring: John Wayne, Glen Campbee, Kim Darby & Robert Duvall

Director: Henry Hathaway

Film version of Charles Portis' wonderful novel about an over-the-hill marshal who helps a 14-year-old track down her father's killer. Not as good as the book, but Wayne's Oscar-winning performance and rousing last half hour make it fine screen entertainment. Sequel: ROOSTER COGBURN. Followed by a TV movie in 1978 with Warren Oates and Lisa Pelikan.

Well-directed by Henry Hathaway, it's still not one of the Duke's classics-although it does have many good scenes. (128 mins.)

My Rating: ***