Cowboys & Indians
By Joe Leydon
November 7, 2019
We look back at Jack
Palance in the 1969 Spaghetti western.
Long after he scored an indelibly intimidating impact as
hired gun Jack Wilson in the classic 1953 western Shane, Jack Palance
continued to be a fearsome presence in several Spaghetti Westerns (and
Spaghetti Western-flavored, American-produced oaters) throughout the 1960s and
‘70s. Exhibit A: The Desperados, a filmed-in-Madrid action drama
featuring Palance as Josiah Galt, the fanatical leader of Southern-sympathizing
marauders who continue to wreak bloody havoc long after the Civil War ends.
Directed by Henry Levin (Where the Boys Are, Journey
to the Center of the Earth), the movie focuses on the efforts of David
Galt (Vincent Edwards), Josiah’s conscience-stricken son, to leave the ranks of
his father’s outfit, even as his brothers Jacob (George Maharis) and Adam
(Christian Roberts) remain loyal to dear old dad. After barely escaping
execution as a “traitor,” David reunites with his wife Laura (Sylvia Syms) and
their young son to start a new life under assumed names in a Texas town. Life there is peaceful — for a
while. But then comes the day for a fateful family reunion.
Columbia Pictures didn’t do much to promote The
Desperados, and opened it mostly on the bottom half of double bills. (A
personal note: I saw it on my first date with my college freshman sweetie in New Orleans, along The
Southern Star, a diverting but disposable action comedy starring George
Segal, Ursula Andress and Orson Welles.) Over the years, however, this
violently entertaining B-movie has found a receptive audience through cable and
home-video exposure. And, yes, Jack Palance is pretty dadgum scary here.
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