Texas Across the River

The 1966 comedy western film, "Texas Across The River," is a fantastic cinematic venture, directed by Michael Gordon, featuring a star-studded cast that includes Dean Martin, Alain Delon, Rosemary Forsyth, and Joey Bishop. As an engaging blend of comedic antics and western charm, it delivers laughter with a dash of old west nostalgia.

The story revolves around Louisianian aristocrat Don Andrea (Alain Delon), who is set to marry the beautiful Phoebe Ann Naylor (Rosemary Forsyth). However, things turn awry on their wedding day, when Yancey Cottle, a jealous suitor, triggers a duel with Don Andrea, leading to Cottle's accidental death. Don Andrea, blamed for murder, flees the wedding scene, leaving behind a distraught Phoebe Ann and an unfinished wedding ceremony. Don Andrea's escape leads to a series of amusing and adventurous events, bringing the elements of western genre and comedy together.

In the wake of these incidents, the aptly named Medicine Bend Texas Ranger, Sam Hollis (Dean Martin), and his sidekick, Kronk (Joey Bishop), are assigned to capture Don Andrea, sparking a comedic chase across the wild frontier. The light-hearted banter between Dean Martin and Joey Bishop forms the comic core of the film, giving ample room for these seasoned actors to showcase their comic timing while maintaining their irony-infused western personas.

As the story unfolds, Don Andrea finds an unexpected ally. The banished Comanche Indian, "Big Man," (played by Indian-American actor Michael Ansara), saves Don Andrea and eventually becomes his mentor, teaching him survival skills and how to become a Comanche warrior. While the relationship starts off as a whimsical camaraderie, it showcases the bond that can be developed between two different people united by a common plight.

The plot thickens as Phoebe Ann and her family set out on a journey westward, straight into Comanche territory. As danger looms, the paths of Don Andrea, Sam Hollis, and Phoebe Ann cross time and again, tying their fates together. Amidst the rolling laughter, the budding romance between Don Andrea and Phoebe Ann adds a sweet touch to the film, on par with the finest romantic subplots seen within the Western genre.

Every character in the movie provides entertainment and further accentuates the humor, be it the jealous Cottle's overbearing father, who is determined to seek justice for his son's death, or Phoebe Ann's family and their delightful ignorance about the real dangers of the wild west. The interactions among the cast create a humorous rhythm that comes naturally, making the banter feel genuine while adhering to the narrative's essence.

The film's setting, Texas during the pre-civil war era, creates an environment where comedy blossoms amidst the usual western dangers from ever-present Native American threats to perilous landscapes. This backdrop also adds a certain texture to the film, making the viewers travel through time with the characters and feel the pioneering spirit prevalent during that period.

In his role as Don Andrea, Alain Delon perfectly encapsulates the charming, cultured European out of his depths in the Texas wilderness. Dean Martin as Sam Hollis brilliantly portrays a hard-nosed but light-hearted ranger, while Joey Bishop's comic presence complements Martin exceptionally well. Rosemary Forsyth, in her role as the entrancing Phoebe Ann Naylor, delivers a memorable performance of a woman torn between love and duty.

"Texas Across the River" is not just another western film; it stands firm as a comic twist on the western genre, where gunfights and horse chases blend with wedding woes and madcap predicaments. It is a unique presentation of comedy set against the rugged beauty of the American frontier. This film offers a delightful viewing experience to anyone who appreciates a good laugh while indulging in western nostalgia.