Station West (1948)

The “undercover army officer investigating some crime” plot generally isn’t a favourite of mine. However, to my surprise I really enjoyed Station West. Dirk Powell plays the officer in question, and Jane Greer the saloon owner who Powell falls in love with despite the fact that she’s obviously evil. The film has something of a Film Noir feel: the femme fatale character, the investigation of a seedy conspiracy, and the choice of actors.

It avoids many of the pitfalls that tend to affect this type of story-line. For example, the hero is a slightly more complex character who is conflicted because of his infatuation with villain, and the his identity as an investigator is clear (to the audience) from the start, rather than given away as a last-minute surprise twist. The dialogue is a little cheesy in places, but it fits well and is enjoyable.

This was one of the best minor, little known Westerns that I’ve been surprised by in a while. Thoroughly recommended.