Earthy melodrama

Wade Hunnicutt (Robert Mitchum) is a pompous and powerful good ol' boy who runs his small Texas town. Things aren't so good on the home front, though; his wife (Eleanor Parker) has held a grudge against him for years ever since Wade fathered a child out of wedlock. Their legitimate son (George Hamilton) has turned out to be a weakling and a disappointment to old Dad. Add to this mix the young and pretty Libby (Luana Patton), who likes both sons, and you have a great story.

Although Mitchum is wonderful, it is charismatic George Peppard, playing the illegitimate son, who is the real star. He is handsome and appealing as a rugged man with a wise and tender heart and the camera loves him. George Hamilton is too old to play a 17-year old mama's boy, and he's stiff and awkward. Beautiful Eleanor Parker is excellent as Wade's long-suffering wife and Mitchum is, well, Mitchum, which in this case is just perfect.

This film is long and melodramatic, but it has a juicy script, likable and attractive actors, a lovely score, and all the loose ends are tied up in the end. Heartily recommended.