Watch Ride a Crooked Trail

Ride a Crooked Trail is a 1958 Western film starring Audie Murphy, Gia Scala, and Walter Matthau. Directed by Jesse Hibbs, the film tells the story of a convicted thief named Joe Maybe, played by Audie Murphy, who escapes from prison and stumbles upon an unexpected chance to start anew. As the movie opens, Joe Maybe is a prisoner serving a 10-year sentence for robbery. When he is mistakenly released from prison, Joe sees it as an opportunity to start a new life. However, he quickly becomes a wanted man and must flee to the nearest town. In the town, Joe meets a beautiful woman named Tessa Milotte, played by Gia Scala, who is the owner of a saloon. Tessa takes a liking to Joe and offers him a job as a bartender at her saloon.

Joe is hesitant at first but Tessa convinces him to stay on by explaining how the town's wealthiest resident, Judge Kyle, played by Walter Matthau, is planning to transport $100,000 in gold through the town. Tessa tells Joe that if he helps her, they can steal the gold and make a new life for themselves.

Joe agrees to the plan, but his loyalties are tested when he realizes that Judge Kyle is not as corrupt as he thought he was. Joe begins to feel guilty about stealing the gold and decides that he cannot go through with the plan. Tessa, however, has other ideas and tries to convince Joe otherwise.

As the film progresses, tensions rise and relationships become strained. Joe begins to fall for Tessa, but he is conflicted about his feelings as he knows that Tessa is not a good person. Complicating matters is the arrival of Judge Kyle's nephew, who is played by Henry Silva. The nephew is determined to uncover the plot to steal the gold and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The action ramps up as the film moves towards its climax, culminating in a tense showdown between Joe, Tessa, and Judge Kyle. Along the way, there are plenty of shootouts, fistfights, and Wild West action to keep audiences engaged.

Overall, Ride a Crooked Trail is a classic Western film that showcases the talents of its cast. The film is notable for its nuanced characters and strong performances, particularly from Audie Murphy and Walter Matthau. At its core, the film is a story about redemption and the lengths that people will go to in order to start over. With its thrilling action sequences and engrossing plot, Ride a Crooked Trail is a must-see for fans of Westerns and classic cinema.