Gun Fever (1958)

Night Fever.

Gun Fever is directed by Mark Stevens and Stevens co-writes the screenplay with Stanley Silverman. It stars Stevens, John Lupton, Larry Storch, Maureen Hingert and Aaron Saxon. Music is by Paul Dunlap and cinematography by Charles Van Enger.

It feels a bit churlish to criticize Mark Stevens' Gun Fever for its cheap feel and well worn plotting, for he clearly has respect for the genre. Apart from budget restrictions stymying his hopes for something more dramatically appealing, he's probably more hampered by his own decision to make a safe old traditional Oater. He relies on tried and tested staples in the hope of appeasing the masses, particularly with the standard "get revenge on the man who instigated the killing of my folks" storyline.

The wind machine is permanently on, more so in the sound mix than actually blowing up a gale in scenes, so it's not a good sign that this is noticeable to viewers more so than what is actually on the screen. The Mexican character is played poorly by New Yorker Larry Scorch, and this is consistent with the all round average feel to the play playing out. However, Stevens and Enger manage to put a grim texture to the visuals, creating an earthy mud and rags look more befitting the real Wild West than the glossy Hollywood one.

Sadly doesn't live up to the promise of its throat grabbing opening, and not one to recommend seeking out as a matter of need, but there's worse out there and it's not for Stevens' want of trying that it's no great genre offering. 5/10

_**“I'm a wrathchild; I'm coming to get you, ooh yeah-ee-yeah”**_

After a band of Sioux led by a sadistic white man (Aaron Saxon) wipe out a family at a stagecoach way station, the son (Mark Stevens) vows vengeance and goes after the man, not knowing that his pardner (John Lupton) knows the killer well. The lovely Maureen Hinger (aka Jana Davi) is on hand as Indian squaw, Tanana.

"Gun Fever" (1958) is a B&W B-Western directed & co-written by star Mark Stevens. Despite the low budget and lack of color, this obscure lil’ Western exceeded my expectations. Whilst the story involves the hackneyed Bob Steele plot (young man seeks to avenge the murder of his loved ones), the execution is artistic with strong acting by the principles. For instance, Stevens (a Dean Martin lookalike) is a gaunt and powerful presence; Lupton too, just taller.

The movie is dark and brooding with brief flashes of warmth, like a B-Western version of “Apocalypse Now” 21 years before it debuted. Don’t look for any comedy or goofiness; it’s realistic but generally grim with wind-swept landscapes and rolling tumbleweeds. A critic described “Gun Fever” as being “far from a good movie, but it’s interesting.” It’s a shame Stevens didn’t go on to greater success, but at least he had a respectable career in film & TV and we can continue to appreciate his contributions.

The Amer-Indians are played by Caucasians, which was par for the course at the time since there weren’t many Native American actors roaming the streets of Hollywood. Just pretend they look more ‘Indian’ than they do. Regardless, the actors’ depiction of Natives is respectable and not laughable.

The film runs 1 hour, 23 minutes. I can’t find information on where it was shot, but obviously it was one of several movie ranches in the Hollywood area.

GRADE: B-/B (6.5/10)