Dawn at Socorro

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Nick F Dawn At Socorro is a 1954 colour Western with Rory Calhoun a famous gunman who finds he has tuberculosis and that his career is coming to an end. While he ponders his options, he knows that any attempt to retire would make him a target for any young gunslinger looking to make a name for himself. A further complication is that he has fallen for a saloon girl (the beautiful Piper Laurie) who hates his reputation. Calhoun is convincing as a tortured soul uncertain what to do but fate steps in via outlaw Lee Van Cleef and his gang who turn up looking for trouble, and of course find it. This is a well-staged Western with a tense climax and offbeat storyline that has very faint echoes of Gunfight At The OK Corral. Calhoun turns in one of his best performances, and Pipe Laurie – just 22 and still early in her career – shows all the promise that would later lead to her winning many awards. Reviewed by Nick Fletcher Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/15/25 Full Review Audience Member All of my friends are enemies. Brett Wade is a ruthless gunfighter trying to find a new life, but trouble always finds him. He becomes especially inspired to change his life when he is diagnosed with tuberculosis followed by meeting a poor young girl on a train. He tries to show the girl, from a man who knows hard life, that the hard life isn't for her. All she sees is a gun fighter that appears to be like every man she has ever met. It is up to Brett to show her he has learned from the error of his ways. "What was your sin?" "Turning into a woman." George Sherman, director of Big Jake, Panic Button, Comanche, The Wizard of Baghdad, The Sleeping City, South of the Border, and Outlaws of Sonora, delivers Dawn of Socorro. The storyline for this picture is actually quite interesting. I loved each character's story, the settings, and pace of the film were all very good. The acting is very solid and the cast includes Lee Van Cleef, Rory Calhoun, Piper Laurie, Kathleen Hughes, and Roy Roberts. "Who's chasing you?" "My past." I DVR'd this picture off Turner Classic Movies (TCM) during a Lee Van Cleef marathon. Van Cleef was a solid villain but he wasn't as ruthless as I would have hoped. Overall, this is an excellent western that is worth a viewing but isn't an all time classic. "I remember the quick and I remember the dead." Grade: B Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Entertaining western with a fine cast and striking cinematography. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Though well-acted and presented as a character study, the predictable story was too weak to resonate any concern for anyone. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Dawn at Socorro

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