The Fiend Who Walked The West (1958)

After being sent to prison for participating in a bank robbery, a convict (Hugh O'Brian) shares a cell with a psychotic killer (Robert Evans). When the killer is released, he heads out to see his cellmate's pregnant wife (Linda Cristal). A western remake of KISS OF DEATH (1947) and directed by Gordon Douglas (TONY ROME). A surprisingly effective reimagining of the 1947 film noir as a western. Some may even call it a horror western because Evans' character is certainly a monster. Alas, the film is compromised by the two lead actors who are weak. O'Brian never rises above adequate and Evans is just plain terrible. Still, I found it engrossing enough and director Douglas keeps the tension quotient strong. The changes to the 1947 screenplay worked for me. Censorship restrictions in 1947 caused the elimination of the rape and suicide of the convict's wife. In this version, the rape of the wife or at least the attempt is suggested but there's no suicide. With Dolores Michaels, Stephen McNally, Ron Ely, June Blair and Edward Andrews.