The Last Sunset (1961)

At a Mexican ranch, fugitive and pursuing sheriff agree to help rancher drive his herd into Texas where the sheriff could legally arrest the fugitive but the rancher's wife complicates things.

Unusual larger-than-life Western melodrama compels with a complex plot and psychological depth.

Halliwell (no star): "Slow psycho-Western with pretensions to tragedy."

Maltin***: "Strange on the range, courtesy of Aldrich and scriptwriter Dalton Trumbo."

Rock Hudson

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Hudson

Winchester '73 (1950)

The journey of a prized rifle from one ill-fated owner to another parallels a cowboy's search for a murderous fugitive.

Despite an episodic structure this expertly staged and cast Western tells a quite coherent tale that always holds your attention; Stewart is excellent as ever, and so is the cinematography.

Halliwell**: "Entertaining,popular, hard-riding, hard-shooting Western of the school."

Maltin***1/2: "Exceptional Western story...First-rate in every way, this landmark film was largely responsible for renewed popularity of Westerns in the 1950s."

Bend of the River (1952)

When a town boss confiscates homesteader's supplies after gold is discovered nearby, a tough cowboy risks his life to try and get it to them.

A standard Western adventure in near perfection: despite the hopscotch plot you get a great cast, lots of conflict and action, wonderful settings and landscapes, and the hero is redeemed in the end. 

Halliwell*: "Good standard Western with pace and period feeling but not much plot sense."

Maltin***: "Compelling Western..."

Written on the Wind (1956)

An alcoholic playboy millionaire marries the woman secretly loved by his poor but hard-working best friend, who in turn is pursued by the husband's nymphomaniac sister.

It's pulp for sure, but meticulously made and played, a classic of its genre.

On second view: splendid over-the-top melodrama.

Halliwell**: "The sheerest Hollywood moonshine: high-flying melodramatic hokum which moves fast enough to be very entertaining."

Maltin***: "Florid melodrama...Irresistible kitsch."

Showdown (1973)

Two men who have been friends since childhood find themselves on opposite ends of the law.

Standard Western with two aging stars and a wee touch of melancholy.

Halliwell (no star): "Routine star Western adequately done."

Maltin**1/2: "Agreeable but unexceptional Western yarn was Seaton's final film."