Main Cast: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Anita Ekberg, Ursula Andress, Charles Bronson, Victor Buono
Release Year: 1963
Country: US
Run Time: 115 minutes
Plot
In 4 for Texas, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin star as Zack Thomas and Joe Jarrett, a pair of rival mountebanks who spend most of the film battling over who will control the gambling and wenching in 1870 Galveston. Though they'd as soon cut each other's throats than cooperate, Zack and Joe are forced to unite against a pair of common enemies: crooked banker Harvey Burden (played by Victor Buono, a favorite of director Robert Aldrich) and cold-blooded outlaw/hired-gun Matson (Charles Bronson, virtually the only person in the film who takes his role seriously). The heroes also battle over the affections of well-endowed heroines Elya Carlson (Anita Ekberg) and Maxine Richter (Ursula Andress), both of whom are sharp-witted businesswomen who match Zack and Joe scam for scam. The Three Stooges show up for a moment, in which they repeat their "point to the right" and "State of Texas" routines, and get into a fracas with feisty little old lady Jesslyn Fax. Also making guest appearances are Arthur Godfrey and Teddy Buckner and His All Stars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
William Glasgow - Art Director, Joyce Rogers - Costume Designer, Charles James - Costume Designer, Norma Koch - Costume Designer, Robert Aldrich - Director, Michael Luciano - Editor, Nelson Riddle - Composer (Music Score), Robert J. Schiffer - Makeup, Ernest Laszlo - Cinematographer, Robert Aldrich - Producer, Raphael Bretton - Set Designer, Sass Bedig - Special Effects, John Indrisano - Stunts, Marvin Willens - Stunts, Robert Aldrich - Screenwriter, Teddi Sherman - Screenwriter
Larry Fine as Painting deliveryman (billed as The Three Stooges)
Moe Howard as Painting deliveryman (billed as The Three Stooges)
Production
4 for Texas was filmed in 1.85:1 aspect ratio on 35-millimeter Technicolor film.
Release
The film had its U.S. premiere on December 18, 1963. Forty-three years after its original premiere, 4 for Texas was presented at the Turin Film Festival on November 12, 2006.
Home media
Its first DVD release arrived on November 20, 2001 and the second release (as part of The Rat Pack collection of Ocean's 11 and Robin and the 7 Hoods) was on June 13, 2006.
Awards and nominations
It was nominated for the Golden Laurel as "Top Action Drama", ultimately coming in fourth.
