Showdown (1963)

A cowboy (Audie Murphy) and his best pal (Charles Drake) drift into a small town. When the friend gets drunk and attacks the sheriff, both men are put in iron collars and chained to a notorious gang headed by a killer (Harold J. Stone). But when the gang escapes, the two cowpokes are forced to go with them. Directed by R.G. Springsteen, this minor western surprises by offering up more than just the usual shoot 'em up action of B westerns. Notably in its characterizations and the moral choices they have made and must make. Murphy is decent enough but the two most interesting characters are Drake's weak willed gambler and drunk who's only half a man without his partner and Kathleen Crowley as a bruised and bitter hard hearted saloon girl. For a Universal western from the 1960s, the movie doesn't have that Universal back lot feel. The exteriors were shot in Lone Pine, California and  Ellis W. Carter's (THE DEADLY MANTIS) B&W lensing does him proud. With Skip Homeier, Strother Martin, Dabbs Greer and L.Q. Jones.