4 for Texas
| 4 for Texas | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Aldrich |
| Produced by | Robert Aldrich |
| Written by |
Teddi Sherman Robert Aldrich |
| Starring |
Frank Sinatra Dean Martin Anita Ekberg Ursula Andress Charles Bronson The Three Stooges |
| Music by | Nelson Riddle |
| Cinematography | Ernest Laszlo |
| Edited by | Michael Luciano |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 114 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4,520,000[1] |
| Box office | 1,367,490 admissions (France)[2] |
4 for Texas is a 1963 American western comedy starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Anita Ekberg, Ursula Andress, and featuring screen thugs Charles Bronson and Mike Mazurki, with a cameo appearance by Arthur Godfrey and the Three Stooges (Larry Fine, Moe Howard and Curly Joe DeRita). The film was written by Teddi Sherman and Robert Aldrich, who also directed.
Plot
In 1870, a shipment of $100,000 being transported by stagecoach to Galveston, Texas, is the object of a tug-of-war in the desert between Zack Thomas (Frank Sinatra) and Joe Jarrett (Dean Martin), who first must stave off an outlaw band led by Matson (Charles Bronson).
Later, in Galveston, Thomas and Jarrett become rivals in a bid to open a waterfront casino. Each has a new romantic attachment as well, with the beauties Elya (Anita Ekberg) and Maxine (Ursula Andress), respectively. They eventually must join forces to hold off the villainous Matson and a corrupt banker, Burden (Victor Buono), to keep their new gambling boat afloat. The role of Elya was originally intended for Sophia Loren who had already worked with Sinatra in The Pride and the Passion. Although she was offered $1,000,000 for four weeks of work, Loren turned the part down.
Cast
- Frank Sinatra as Zack Thomas
- Dean Martin as Joe Jarrett
- Anita Ekberg as Elya Carlson
- Ursula Andress as Maxine Richter
- Charles Bronson as Matson
- Victor Buono as Harvey Burden (President, Galveston Savings & Trust)
- Edric Connor as Prince George (carriage driver)
- Nick Dennis as Angel
- Richard Jaeckel as Pete Mancini
- Mike Mazurki as Chad (Zack's bodyguard)
- Wesley Addy as Winthrop Trowbridge
- Marjorie Bennett as Miss Emmaline
- Virginia Christine as Elya Carlson's maid
- Ellen Corby as Widow
- Jack Elam as Dobie
- Joe DeRita as Painting deliveryman (billed as the Three Stooges)
- Larry Fine as Painting deliveryman (billed as the Three Stooges)
- Moe Howard as Painting deliveryman (billed as the Three Stooges)
- Jack Lambert as Monk
Production
The film was announced in 1960 as Two for Texas.[3]
4 for Texas was filmed in 1.85:1 aspect ratio on 35-millimeter Technicolor film. Its promotional trailer features Ursula Andress in specially shot footage addressing the audience.
Release
The film had its U.S. premiere on December 18, 1963. Forty-three years after its original premiere, 4 for Texas was presented at the Turin Film Festival on November 12, 2006.
Home media
Its first DVD release arrived on November 20, 2001 and the second release (as part of The Rat Pack collection of Ocean's 11 and Robin and the 7 Hoods) was on June 13, 2006.
Awards and nominations
It was nominated for the Golden Laurel as "Top Action Drama", ultimately coming in fourth.
See also
References
- ↑ Alain Silver and James Ursini, Whatever Happened to Robert Aldrich?, Limelight, 1995 p 262
- ↑ French box office results for Robert Aldrich films at Box Office Story
- ↑ Scott, J. L. (1960, Nov 01). Texas yarns follow in wake of 'alamo'. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/167789381?accountid=13902
External links
- 4 for Texas at the Internet Movie Database
- 4 for Texas at AllMovie
- 4 for Texas at the TCM Movie Database
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