Why a star-studded 1963 Western became a notorious disaster for its director
In short: When Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin teamed up for the 1963 comedy Western 4 for Texas, the production seemed destined for greatness. Instead, it became a chaotic project marked by strained relationships, rejected A-list stars, and a final product that critics and audiences largely dismissed as a failure.
The film, originally titled Two for Texas, began as a troubled project in November 1960. Director Robert Aldrich struggled with the script, later admitting that despite constant revisions, the story remained a disaster. The production faced significant casting hurdles; Gina Lollobrigida turned down a lead role, and Sophia Loren declined a $1,000,000 offer for four weeks of work. By the time filming commenced in May 1963, the title had changed to 4 for Texas, and the cast featured Ursula Andress and Anita Ekberg alongside the two leads.
Tensions behind the scenes were palpable. The relationship between Sinatra and Aldrich deteriorated rapidly, with the director blaming the film's poor quality on his own script and Sinatra’s lack of commitment. Aldrich noted that Sinatra worked only 80 hours across 37 days of filming. The production environment was equally volatile; Peter Lawford was originally slated for a role, but he was removed from the project after Sinatra expelled him from the Rat Pack. Even the props carried a strange weight, including a hearse supposedly named Old Black Ben by Wyatt Earp.
Upon its Christmas Day 1963 premiere, the film failed to impress. While contemporary reviews noted the stars' ability to project a lavish lifestyle, the film struggled to find a lasting audience. It currently maintains a dismal 11% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, calculated from nine professional reviews. Despite a nomination for a Golden Laurel award in the Top Action Drama category, it only managed a fourth-place finish, cementing its reputation as a misfire in the careers of its legendary stars.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 4 for Texas
- Also: Wikidata — 4 for Texas · CC0
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