The Comancheros (1961)

A Texas Ranger (John Wayne) is taking a man (Stuart Whitman) wanted for a killing in Louisiana into custody for extradition but he escapes. However, while working undercover as a gun runner, the Texas Ranger meets the man again but circumstances (and fate) have them working together rather than against each other. Based on the novel by Paul Wellman, it took awhile for it to reach the screen. The novel was first optioned by George Stevens as a vehicle for Gary Cooper but after going through several directors and casting changes, it ended up with Michael Curtiz directing John Wayne. As it stands, it's a grand if rather implausible oater with some gorgeous location shooting in Utah and Arizona by William H. Clothier that makes excellent use of panoramic vistas in CinemaScope. Wayne and Whitman have an amiable chemistry, the action is plentiful and Elmer Bernstein's rousing score nudges it along. The film is still leisurely enough that it finds time for some poignant moments like the encounter with a farmer's widow (Joan O'Brien). With Lee Marvin hamming it up shamelessly, Ina Balin, Nehemiah Persoff, Michael Ansara, Patrick Wayne, Richard Devon and Bruce Cabot.