Top Gun (1955)

Powerful

Memorable, crazy movie

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

I personally think the actors in this movie were probably underpayed. The people who attempted to write the dialog for this film should have been made to sit on the front row at the first screening. The use of axle grease to make the outlaws appear to need a shave was a little strange but caught my attention. Being presented in black and white, just may have brought it to a level of interest in old westerns by old farts like me.No cursing was also a plus for me.

This film is a low-budgeted re-working of the classic film "High Noon". Instead of the hero being the sheriff, however, Rick Martin's a gunman who is thoroughly hated by his old home town and he returns to try to save them from a band of sociopaths headed their way. At first, they are very hostile towards Martin and make his stay short and nasty--and refuse his offer of help. But when the gang approaches, the town shows itself to be gutless again and again...and folks somehow think Martin is going to help them regardless of his reception.This film would have been a lot better had it not been so much like "High Noon". It's not a remake but coming just a few years after, you cannot help but make the comparison...and in every way it comes up a bit short. A decent time-passer made a bit better by Hayden's strong performance.

Going through the first part of "Top Gun" you think you are seeing the same western you already saw for the millionth time. Even though the cinematography brings to mind "High Noon" , and it is fun to see a beginner, Rod Taylor, as a bad guy hiding his Australian accent, the film looks too "déjà vu" to be good. Karen Booth looks too old for the part she is playing. But the story of the gunfighter who returns and finds that the woman he loves is engaged to the bad guy is just too ran down. But about halfway through the film everything changes. When the bad guys with their leader Tom Quentin (John Dehner), come to take over the town, there is a great exchange of words between Quentin and Rick Martin (Hayden). There is also the incredibly two faced Canby Judd (William Bishop). And also some good shoot ups, and all this adds up to make "Top Gun" an enjoyable western.

I liked Top Gun. It held my interest. Predictable plot, decent character development and story line. It is pretty similar to High Noon in that the town people appear weak and scared to stand up to a villain. This movie has some quality actors who really did not get a chance to share all of their talents. Also some of the actors did not receive credit for their roles. Denver Pyle was a good looking man in his younger days. John Dehner, Rod Taylor are outstanding in their roles. Sterling Hayden did the best that he could with poor material. It is hard to imagine him as a gunslinger. Laura, played by Karen Booth, was a nauseating character. She seemed flattered that two men may have been fighting over her. Ugh. Finally, How can people travel without luggage? Especially women.