For years, independent producers William H. Pine and William C. Thomas, aka "The Dollar Bills," had been purveyors of cheaply-made action fare that benefited from a production agreement with major corporation Paramount Pictures. El Paso was billed as the team's first major release but, true to their nicknames, Pine and Thomas cut a few corners and produced the western in Cinecolor, a cheap system that offered an unrealistic warm yellow glow. Action-wise, El Paso remains a fast-paced and mostly satisfying western melodrama burdened a bit by a rather shaky performance from leading lady Gail Russell. Reportedly suffering from a near paralyzing stage fright, Russell was known to fortify herself with alcohol and she is visibly grasping hold of the scenery in places.
El Paso (1949)
Directed by Lewis R. Foster
Genres - Western |
Sub-Genres - Traditional Western |
Release Date - Mar 22, 1949 (USA), Aug 5, 1949 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 104 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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