The Naked Edge (1961)

 

Five years after George Radcliffe was the chief witness in a high profile murder case, his wife receives a blackmailing letter accusing him of the crime. 

Psychological thriller has some good Noir cinematography, but its narrative is full of loopholes and unnecessary twists so that its suspense is limited.

Halliwell (no star): "Dreary thriller which piles up red herrings in shoals, then abandons them all for a razor-and-bathroom finale."

 

Maltin**1/2: "Uneven suspenser..."

Hombre (1967)

John Russell, disdained by his "respectable" fellow stagecoach passengers because he was raised by Native Americans, becomes their only hope for survival when they are set upon by outlaws.

Excellent Revisionist Western carries a strong anti-racist message and exposes moral hypocrisy; Paul Newman, although dubiously portraying a "half-breed", is as cool as ever.

Halliwell**: "Slow but suspenseful Western melodrama which works up to a couple of good climaxes but falls away in an unnecessary tragic ending."

Maltin***: "Interesting Western......well acted, entertaining."