4 for Texas (1963)
In the 1870s, two rival businessmen, Zack Thomas and Joe Jarrett, on a stagecoach heading to Galveston, Texas, must pull together to protect $100,000 from an outlaw named Matson. Once in Galveston, however, their rivalry continues, as Thomas joins up with Elya Carlson and Jarret with Maxine Richter. But Matson is still on the loose, and a scheming banker threatens both Thomas and Jarrett.
What people think about 4 for Texas
4 for Texas is the kind of breezy, good-time Western comedy that practically leans back in its chair and dares you not to smile—less about grit and more about swagger, timing, and two megawatt personalities sparring for fun. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin turn the frontier into a playground, riding on pure Rat Pack chemistry: wisecracks, competitive charm, and that effortless “we’re having a ball” vibe that makes even the shootouts feel like part of the act. The movie keeps things light on its feet while still giving you gamblers, outlaws, and Galveston-sized schemes to keep the momentum moving. If you’re looking for a serious, dust-and-blood Western, this isn’t it—but if you want an entertaining slice of 1960s star power doing what it does best, it’s an easy invite.
4 for Texas is clearly trying to bottle that breezy, star-powered Rat Pack charm and drop it into a light Western-comedy caper, with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra riffing their way through rival schemes and outlaw trouble. The problem is the movie leans so hard on “watch the stars be themselves” that the plot feels thin, the pacing drags, and the jokes often land with a thud rather than a punch. If you’re expecting a sharp comedy or a satisfying Western story, this can feel like a waste of a talented cast and a lot of setup for very little payoff. But if you’re the type who enjoys vintage, low-stakes celebrity banter and can treat it like a casual hangout rather than a real film, there are a few mildly pleasant moments to coast on.
Cast
Frank SinatraZack Thomas
Dean MartinJoe Jarrett
Anita EkbergElya Carlson
Ursula AndressMaxine Richter
Barbara PaytonTown citizen
Charles BronsonMatson
Victor BuonoHarvey Burden
Edric ConnorPrince George
Nick DennisAngel
Richard JaeckelPete Mancini
Mike MazurkiChad
Wesley AddyWinthrop Trowbridge
Marjorie BennettMiss Emmaline
Virginia ChristineBrunhilde
Ellen CorbyWidow
Jack ElamDobie
Jesslyn FaxMildred
Fritz FeldFritz
Crew
- Director
- Robert Aldrich
- Producers
- Howard W. KochRobert Aldrich
- Music
- Nelson Riddle
- Cinematography
- Ernest Laszlo
- Editing
- Michael Luciano
Details
- Released
- December 21, 1963
- Language
- English
- Studio
- The Sam Company, Warner Bros. Pictures
- IMDb
- tt0057071
