The Houston Story (1956)

An unscrupulous driller (Gene Barry) concocts a plan to steal oil from Houston oil fields. To this end, he enlists the aid of a mobster (Edward Arnold) to help him pull off the scam. Directed by William Castle (HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL), this inexpensive noir is undercooked and needed a stronger script. The lead role was originally intended for Lee J. Cobb who suffered a heart attack while filming and was replaced by Gene Barry. Cobb might have given the part some needed authority as Barry comes across as a sleazebag way over his head. The most interesting character is the mobster moll played by Barbara Hale in a rare against type hard-bitten glamour girl usually played by the likes of Lizabeth Scott or Gloria Grahame. At a brief running time of one hour and 21 minutes, the film moves quickly. Perhaps too quickly as it could have used some more detailing. Still, for what it is, it's a passable piece of cinematic pulp. With Paul Richards, Jeanne Cooper and John Zaremba.