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4 for Texas
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRobert Aldrich
Written byTeddi Sherman
Robert Aldrich
Produced byRobert Aldrich
StarringFrank Sinatra
Dean Martin
Anita Ekberg
Ursula Andress
Charles Bronson
Victor Buono
The Three Stooges
CinematographyErnest Laszlo
Edited byMichael Luciano
Music byNelson Riddle
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
The Sam Company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • December 25, 1963 (1963-12-25)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4,520,000[1] or $5 million[2]
Box office1,367,490 admissions (France)[3]

4 for Texas is a 1963 American comedy Western film starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Anita Ekberg and Ursula Andress, Charles Bronson and Mike Mazurki, with a cameo appearance by Arthur Godfrey and the Three Stooges. The film was written by Teddi Sherman and Robert Aldrich, who also directed.

Plot

[edit]

In 1870, Zack Thomas, Joe Jarrett, and an outlaw band headed by Matson try to claim a shipment of $100,000 from a stagecoach accident. Later, in Galveston, Thomas and Jarrett become rivals in a bid to open a waterfront casino. Each has a new romantic attachment, Thomas with Elya Carlson and Jarrett with Maxine Richter. They eventually must join forces to oppose Matson and corrupt banker Harvey Burden in order to keep their new gambling boat afloat.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Development and writing

[edit]

Robert Aldrich announced the film in November 1960 as Two for Texas, based on a script by Teddi Sherman. The proposed stars were Lisa Kirk, Martine Carol and Aldo Ray.[4] Aldrich later said that he wrote the first draft of the script but "you could change that over and over and it was still a disaster."[5] Eventually, Aldrich and Sherman shared the writing credit.

In January 1963, Dean Martin signed to star in the film.[6] Warner Bros., which had just released Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? with Aldrich, agreed to finance.[7] In March, Frank Sinatra agreed to costar. This meant the film would be a coproduction among Warner Bros., the Associates and Aldrich (Aldrich's company), Claude Productions (Martin's company) and Essex Productions (Sinatra's company).[8] The film credited the Sam Company, Sinatra and Martin.[9]

The producers had hoped to cast Gina Lollobrigida in a leading role, but she declined.[6] At one stage, the role of Elya was intended for Sophia Loren, who had already worked with Sinatra in The Pride and the Passion. Although she was offered $1,000,000 for four weeks of work, Loren also declined.[10] In May 1963, Ursula Andress joined the cast, and the film was retitled Four for Texas.[11]

At one stage, Bette Davis was scheduled to make a cameo appearance.[12] A role had also been written for Peter Lawford, but after Sinatra expelled Lawford from the Rat Pack, Lawford's role was excised.[13]

Filming

[edit]

Filming began in May 1963 in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with color processed by Technicolor.

During production, the relationship between Sinatra and Aldrich became strained. Aldrich felt that the film was not a success and cited problems with his own script, as well as Sinatra's lack of enthusiasm for the project. Aldrich calculated that Sinatra worked a total of only 80 hours during 37 days of filming.[14]

Among the film's props is an authentic black hearse that was reputed to have carried many corpses to Boot Hill cemetery in Dodge City, Kansas. According to legend, the hearse was named "Old Black Ben" by Wyatt Earp.[15]

Release

[edit]

Theatrical

[edit]

The film's promotional trailer features Andress in specially shot footage addressing the audience.

The film premiered on Christmas Day of 1963.[16]

Home media

[edit]

4 for Texas was first released on DVD on November 20, 2001. It was also included in a Rat Pack DVD collection released on June 13, 2006.[citation needed]

Reception

[edit]

In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Howard Thompson wrote, "Credit Messrs. Sinatra and Martin with knowing how to live it up on the screen, to the last diamond stickpin. The former behaves like a pasha, flanked by adoring handmaidens and servile flunkeys. The gorgeous, purring Miss Andress gravitates toward Mr. Martin, often like glue. In Amazonian contrast to the rather spindly Mr. Sinatra, Miss Ekberg, exquisitely sheathed in gowns of the period, all but spills over."[16]

The film holds an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on nine reviews.[17]

Accolades

[edit]

4 for Texas was nominated for the Golden Laurel award as Top Action Drama but placed fourth.[18]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

4 for Texas

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
4 for Texas is a American Western directed by , starring as Zack Thomas and as Joe Jarrett, two outlaws who survive a robbery and subsequently reform to establish rival saloons in the town of , amid conflicts with a greedy banker and other adversaries. The film blends humor, action, and musical elements, featuring additional stars such as as Elya Carlson and as the saloon singer Maxine Richter, with in a supporting role as the villainous Matson. Co-written by Aldrich and Teddi Sherman, it was produced by and released on December 25, , running for 124 minutes in Technicolor and . The plot revolves around Thomas and Jarrett's partnership fracturing after they thwart a double-cross by their boss, leading them to compete in building luxurious gambling establishments while fending off threats from bank president Harvey Burden, played by , who seeks to seize their gold stash. Notable for its comedic tone atypical of Aldrich's more serious works like , the movie includes lavish saloon sets, choreographed brawls, and cameo appearances by and a supporting role by . Filmed primarily at Warner Bros. studios in , with some location shooting in the , , it marked one of the Rat Pack-era collaborations between Sinatra and Martin, following and preceding . Critically received as a mixed bag, 4 for Texas earned praise for its star chemistry and visual flair but for uneven pacing and overlong runtime, with a budget of approximately $4 million, it grossed around $4.5 million (figures vary by source). It has since gained a among fans of 1960s Westerns for its blend of and spectacle, influencing later films with its rivalry-driven narrative. The film's original , initially titled Two for Texas, highlights Aldrich's exploration of greed and redemption themes in a satirical Old West setting.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

In 1870 Galveston, Texas, rival opportunists Zack Thomas and Joe Jarrett find themselves on a stagecoach transporting $100,000 when it comes under attack by the outlaw gang led by Matson. The two sharpshooters successfully repel the bandits, but their survival quickly turns into a confrontation over the cash, with Jarrett seizing the bag from Thomas at gunpoint. Upon reaching Galveston, Jarrett deposits the money in the local bank owned by the corrupt banker Harvey Burton, who secretly supports Thomas's ambitions to launch a gambling operation. Thomas, a cunning aspiring casino proprietor, begins establishing his saloon while pursuing a romance with singer Elya Carlson. Jarrett, equally ambitious, partners with riverboat owner Maxine Richter to refurbish her vessel into a competing gambling den, sparking a fierce rivalry between the two men as they vie for dominance in the town's burgeoning scene. Tensions rise when Thomas plots to Jarrett's on its opening night, leading to chaotic brawls and schemes that draw the attention of Burton and his henchman Matson. Burton, eyeing the $100,000 for himself, conspires with Matson to let and Jarrett destroy each other before swooping in to seize control of the operations. Matson attempts an of Thomas, but Jarrett intervenes, wounding the outlaw and inadvertently saving his rival's life, highlighting their shared precarious position. As threats from Burton and Matson's gang escalate, Carlson and Richter persuade Thomas and Jarrett to set aside their differences and ally against the greater danger. The protagonists unite for a series of action-packed confrontations, including fierce saloon fights and a climactic showdown aboard the , where they overpower Matson's bandits. and Jarrett ultimately expose Burton's , leading to his arrest and the recovery of their fortunes. In resolution, the duo opens a successful casino, culminating in a double wedding that pairs with Carlson and Jarrett with Richter.

Cast

The cast of 4 for Texas features a Rat Pack-inspired ensemble led by and , blending charismatic leads with glamorous international stars and a roster of character actors known for tough-guy and comedic roles, creating a dynamic mix of rivalry, romance, and in this Western . stars as Zack Thomas, an ambitious owner whose role embodies Sinatra's signature charismatic tough-guy persona, marked by sharp wit and commanding presence amid the film's chaotic frontier setting. portrays Joe Jarrett, a laid-back gambler and rival to Thomas, leveraging Martin's effortless comedic timing and relaxed demeanor. plays Elya Carlson, a sultry entertainer and love interest, capitalizing on her recent fame from Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita (1960) to bring a glamorous, seductive allure to the role as one of the film's romantic focal points. appears as Maxine Richter, a refined widow serving as a romantic foil, following her breakout as the first Honey in Dr. No (1962) and infusing the character with poised elegance and subtle sensuality. In supporting roles, delivers a menacing performance as Matson, the ruthless henchman adding intensity to the action sequences. portrays the scheming banker Harvey Burton, bringing his distinctive gravitas to the antagonist's manipulative schemes. plays the tough deputy Pete Mancini, contributing gritty reliability to the law-enforcement elements. and appear as comic outlaws, providing brawny humor through their exaggerated, rough-hewn antics. The film includes a brief cameo by The Three Stooges—Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Joe DeRita—as hapless painting deliverymen, injecting classic slapstick chaos into a memorable ensemble scene that amplifies the production's Rat Pack levity.

Production

Development and writing

The development of 4 for Texas originated from director Robert Aldrich's vision to create a comedic Western infused with the camaraderie of the Rat Pack, essentially reimagining the heist dynamics of Ocean's 11 (1960) in a frontier setting with rival saloon owners vying for control in 1870s Galveston, Texas. Aldrich conceived the project as a "clan picture" to capitalize on Frank Sinatra's influence in assembling his entertainment circle, aiming to blend action, humor, and light romance while leveraging the stars' off-screen rapport for authentic banter. Announced in November 1960 under the working title Two for Texas, the film was positioned early as a high-profile vehicle for ensemble appeal, with Aldrich securing Warner Bros.' commitment to produce it as a major Christmas release. The screenplay was co-written by Aldrich and Teddi Sherman, drawing from an initial draft by Sherman that Aldrich refined to emphasize gambling rivalries and comedic set pieces. Uncredited contributions came from W.R. Burnett, the acclaimed author of noir classics like Little Caesar, who helped polish 's dialogue and plot structure for tighter pacing between comedic interludes and action sequences. The writing process culminated in early 1963, with a dated version of the script completed by March 18, allowing for pre-production to ramp up. Key revisions during this phase balanced the genres by amplifying romantic subplots involving the female leads and incorporating humorous diversions, such as the cameo appearance by (Moe Howard, , and Curly Joe DeRita) as bumbling henchmen to inject energy. Warner Bros. approved a substantial budget of $4.52 million, reflecting the studio's investment in a spectacle-driven tentpole featuring high production values and star power. Aldrich aggressively pursued Sinatra and for the leads—Zack Thomas and Joe Jarrett, respectively—to harness their popularity and box-office draw from previous collaborations, while casting as saloon owner Elya Carlson and as singer Maxine Richter added international allure with their established glamour in European cinema. These choices underscored Aldrich's strategy to merge American Western tropes with cosmopolitan flair, ensuring broad appeal without delving into deeper dramatic territory.

Filming

Principal photography for 4 for Texas commenced on May 27, 1963, and concluded on August 2, 1963, with Robert Aldrich directing the production. The schedule spanned approximately 37 days, during which the cast and crew navigated a mix of outdoor and studio work to bring the film's blend of Western action and comedy to life. Filming took place primarily in the Mojave Desert region of California for exterior desert and town scenes, including the rugged terrains of Red Rock Canyon State Park near Cantil, which provided the arid, dramatic backdrops essential to the story's 1870s Galveston setting. Interior sequences, such as those inside the rival gambling establishments, were captured at Warner Bros. studios on Stage 17 in Burbank, California, allowing for controlled environments amid the production's ambitious set designs. Ernest Laszlo served as director of photography, employing processing and anamorphic lenses to deliver vivid, wide-screen visuals that emphasized the film's colorful costumes, expansive landscapes, and comedic choreography. Complementing this was Nelson Riddle's original score, which fused classic Western orchestral motifs with jazzy undertones to underscore the movie's lighthearted rivalry and action beats. Production faced notable on-set tensions, particularly between Aldrich and Sinatra, stemming from disputes over creative control and the film's tonal balance between drama and humor; Sinatra's frequent improvisations during scenes helped inject spontaneity, though his limited involvement—totaling just 80 hours across the shoot—exacerbated scheduling issues. In contrast, Dean Martin's easygoing demeanor offered a stabilizing presence, allowing him to navigate the chaos with his characteristic nonchalance. Among the production's highlights were the elaborate construction of a saloon set and a full-scale riverboat replica at , both pivotal to the script's rivalry sequences that demanded intricate period detailing for authenticity. To heighten the film's energy, second-unit crews captured dynamic action footage for chase and fight sequences in the exteriors, integrating seamlessly with the principal .

Release

Theatrical

4 for Texas had its world premiere in the United States on December 25, 1963, distributed by Warner Bros. as a Christmas Day release to leverage the holiday season and the immense popularity of stars Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The strategy aimed to attract family audiences and capitalize on the duo's Rat Pack appeal during a peak moviegoing period. The film employed a wide release approach, rolling out in major urban centers across the U.S. to maximize visibility and attendance. Promotional materials positioned it as a "Rat Pack Western," featuring eye-catching posters with Sinatra, Martin, , and , alongside taglines like "The far out story of the far west" and "How the West Was Lost!" This marketing highlighted the blend of Western action, comedy, and star charisma to draw in diverse crowds. Internationally, the film saw a 1964 rollout in , including a release in . Trailers focused on the comedic banter between Sinatra and Martin, high-stakes action sequences, and glamorous supporting cast, while tie-ins were modest, primarily consisting of lobby cards and standard theatrical displays rather than extensive merchandise campaigns. Initial performance showed promise in city theaters, buoyed by the stars' draw and holiday timing, though it contended with competitors like Charade and McLintock! for audience attention. With a of approximately $4.5 million, Warner Bros. invested heavily in this launch to position the film as a festive staple.

Home media

The film received its first home video release on DVD from Warner Home Video on January 8, 2002, in a standard single-disc edition featuring the widescreen presentation and English audio with subtitles. It was subsequently included in the three-disc "The Rat Pack Collection" DVD set, released by Warner Home Video on June 13, 2006, alongside Ocean's 11 (1960) and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964); this edition offered bonus materials such as theatrical trailers, featurettes on the Rat Pack era, and audio commentary tracks by film historians. In the digital space, 4 for Texas became available for streaming and purchase in the , including rotations on Max (now Max) for subscribers, while remaining accessible for rent or buy on platforms such as and Apple TV as of 2025. Internationally, the film has been distributed on region-free DVDs in , with Region 2 editions available through retailers like Amazon , often including multilingual subtitles and dubbed audio tracks in languages such as French and German; no major 4K UHD release has been issued to date.

Reception and Legacy

Critical response

Upon its release in 1963, 4 for Texas received mixed reviews from critics, who often highlighted its uneven tone and blend of comedy and action. of dismissed the film as a "wisecrack double-cross marathon, gaudily clothed with an Galveston setting." In contrast, Variety praised the on-screen rapport between and , noting that the pair "carry on in their accustomed manner," with Martin eliciting most of the laughs through his charm, though the overall screenplay was deemed choppy and haphazard. Retrospective assessments have been largely negative, reflecting the film's dated elements. As of November 2025, it holds an 11% approval rating on based on nine reviews, with reviews describing it as a "lazy, party-time effort for the stars" where director Robert Aldrich's signature bursts of violence emerge only sporadically. Scholarly and critical analyses, such as those in film retrospectives, have critiqued Aldrich's satirical intent toward Western tropes and in the as overburdened and excessive, leading to tonal inconsistencies that dilute its comedic and action elements. This uneven genre blending has drawn unfavorable comparisons to Aldrich's later, more disciplined ensemble The Dirty Dozen (1967), which better harnessed similar chaotic energy for impact. Critiques of the performances underscore the film's strengths and weaknesses. Sinatra's intense, spindly presence was often seen as mismatched for the lighthearted , while Martin's relaxed charm was lauded as a highlight that salvaged some humorous moments. Charles Bronson's portrayal of the Matson was commended for its seriousness amid the surrounding levity, providing a career-early showcase of his tough-guy menace that foreshadowed his later action-hero roles. Anita Ekberg and Ursula Andress's roles as the romantic interests were frequently noted for their visual allure rather than depth, with reviewers pointing to the distracting emphasis on their physicality over character development.

Box office performance

4 for Texas was produced on a budget of $4.5–5 million. In the United States, the film generated approximately $4.7 million in theatrical rentals, representing the portion of earnings returned to the studio, as reported in Variety's 1964 year-end summary. This figure positioned the film at #28 among the top-grossing pictures of in the U.S., trailing far behind high-profile comedies like It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, which dominated the year's with over $46 million in worldwide earnings. Significant contributions came from international markets, including 1,367,490 admissions in alone. Comprehensive worldwide gross figures are not available from authoritative sources. The December 1963 holiday release timing aided a robust opening, including a #6 national ranking in the second week with strong city grosses such as $67,000 in New York. However, mixed reception contributed to a rapid drop-off in subsequent weeks, limiting overall profitability.

Accolades

"4 for Texas" earned a at the 1964 in the Top Action Drama category, ultimately placing fourth out of the nominees. The film did not receive any nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Golden Globes. was nominated that same year for a Golden Laurel as Top Male Star, finishing in 10th place, though the recognition was not tied exclusively to this production.

Cultural impact

4 for Texas extended the Rat Pack's cinematic legacy by serving as a Western counterpart to their 1960 Ocean's 11, shifting the focus from urban capers to frontier rivalries while preserving the signature banter between and . This transition demonstrated the group's adaptability across genres, blending their improvisational humor with Western action and romance. The film's emphasis on Sinatra and Martin's rivalry over a gambling boat underscored the Rat Pack's influence on portraying male camaraderie in entertainment, contributing to their image as versatile performers who redefined cool in post-war American culture. As a comedy Western, 4 for Texas parodied traditional genre conventions through sequences and exaggerated rivalries, aligning with the Rat Pack's broader impact on lighthearted takes on established formulas like the Western. Directed by , it incorporated comedic elements such as quick-witted dialogue and physical gags, reflecting the Pack's live-performance style that influenced subsequent cross-genre films. The inclusion of a cameo by further amplified its pop culture resonance, featuring the comedy trio as inept card dealers in a scene that bridged vaudeville-era humor with cinema and has been referenced in discussions of classic comedy crossovers. The film's enduring legacy ties into Rat Pack retrospectives, where it is highlighted as an example of their innovative entertainment that merged music, , and , inspiring later tributes to their carefree . In the , amid renewed interest in the group's history, 4 for Texas appeared in collections and documentaries examining their sociopolitical navigation, including civil rights advocacy through members like . By the , streaming availability has sustained its appeal among fans of classic films, reinforcing the Rat Pack's lasting symbol of charisma in American pop culture.

References

  1. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/75512/4-for-texas
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057071/
  3. https://themagnificent60s.com/2024/10/18/4-for-texas-1963/
  4. https://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/13104-4-FOR-TEXAS-RARE-PRODUCTION-FEATURETTE.html
  5. https://www.abaa.org/book/1536676074
  6. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/19374
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057071/plotsummary/
  8. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/75512/4-for-texas#synopsis
  9. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/four_for_texas/cast-and-crew
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057071/fullcredits/
  11. https://variety.com/1962/film/reviews/four-for-texas-1117791055/
  12. https://threestooges.net/filmography/view/234
  13. https://warnerbros.fandom.com/wiki/4_for_Texas
  14. https://jeffarnoldswest.com/2022/04/4-for-texas-warner-bros-1963-2/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057071/locations/
  16. https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2002/great-directors/aldrich/
  17. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4351748/Frank-Sinatra-threatened-kill-director-Robert-Aldrich.html
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057071/releaseinfo/
  19. https://www.nytimes.com/1963/12/26/archives/screen-eight-new-movies-arrive-for-the-holidaysnatalie-wood-starred.html
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMbP1jrGCQA
  21. https://www.amazon.com/4-Texas-Frank-Sinatra/dp/B00005NTNS
  22. https://www.amazon.com/Collection-Oceans-Robin-Hoods-Texas/dp/B000EOTUS0
  23. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/4-for-texas
  24. https://www.amazon.com/4-Texas-Frank-Sinatra/dp/B001NWJM0I
  25. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/4-for-texas/umc.cmc.3axn2zt998mse3851ver5kz28
  26. https://www.amazon.co.uk/4-Texas-Frank-Sinatra/dp/B000MK79HU
  27. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/four_for_texas
  28. https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/4fortexas/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057071/reviews/
  30. https://archive.org/stream/variety-1964-01/variety-1964-01_djvu.txt
  31. https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1963/top-grossing-movies
  32. https://wikipedia.nucleos.com/viewer/wikipedia_en_all_maxi_2024-01/A/4_for_Texas
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057071/awards/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000069/awards/
  35. https://cdn.bookey.app/files/pdf/book/en/rat-pack-confidential.pdf
  36. https://www.cowboysindians.com/2023/05/the-country-and-cowboy-legacy-of-dean-martin/
  37. https://www.popcultureclassics.com/larry_fine.html
  38. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1998/08/22/rat-pack-a-sorry-sinatra-saga/dfb59fa6-0e1e-43de-bc9c-49c53410fc24/
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