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5.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Lucky Texan remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're the kind of person who likes early 1930s B-Westerns, then yeah, sure. It’s brisk, it’s cheap, and it gets the job done before you even finish your popcorn. If you need complex character arcs or, I don't know, a plot that doesn't feel like it was sketched on a napkin during lunch, you’re probably going to hate it. It’s for the folks who just want to see horses, guns, and a young John Wayne doing his thing.
The whole thing moves so fast it’s almost dizzying. One minute they’re broke on the range, and three seconds later, they’ve struck gold. It’s a bit jarring, but honestly, who wants to watch two guys dig holes for an hour? Not me.
The chemistry between Wayne and Gabby Hayes is the only reason this thing stays afloat. You can see Hayes trying to add some flavor to lines that are flatter than the Texas prairie. It's not quite on the level of A Man's Man, but it’s got a certain scrappy energy to it.
There’s this one scene where a character talks for way too long about the mine's potential. I swear, the camera just stays locked on his face while he rambles. It’s almost hypnotic in its boredom. But then, a fight breaks out, and it’s all dust and flailing arms. It’s not graceful, but it’s honest work.
It’s nowhere near as weird as Felix in the Bone Age, obviously. It’s a standard, no-frills Western. It’s not trying to win an Oscar; it’s just trying to fill an hour on a Saturday afternoon. And for that? It works just fine. 🤠
Don't look for deep meaning here. It’s a movie about guys who want money and guys who want to steal that money. Sometimes, that’s all you really need.