NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (January 2021): Kino Lorber brings Michael Gordon's "Texas Across the River'' to Blu-ray on an all new dual-layered disc. The film was shot in 2.35:1'Techniscope' or 2-perf 35mm film, saving money by having half the film stock used in 4-perforation frame cinematography. Spherical lenses were used and it would be blown up to full 35 (as if it were typical 4-perf) (more info HERE.) While some Techniscope films suffered due to the image being blown up, showing a more thick grain structure, this film seems to be mostly immune. This transfer from Kino is admirable, with only a handful of scenes looking like they came from a rougher film stock. With the 1080p HD bump, certain effects shots look almost too comical now (if only they had a green screen to avoid the 'obi-wan's-ghost-haloing' effect). That said, these shots are few and far between (see sample below) and only serve to amp up the already comedic film. Detail is sharp in most sequences, and colors look natural.

Kino's Blu-ray of Michael Gordon's "Texas Across the River" presents the film with an accompanying DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track. There is very little distortion or hiss to my ears, with the audio nicely situating the dialogue within the campy and comedic action sequences. Frank De Vol is responsible for the music, while the title track is performed by The Kingston Trio. There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Kino.

Kino Lorber's main bonus feature is yet another scholarly yet entertaining audio commentary from Samm Deighan. One of the neat things that I learned from Deighan's track is that director Michael Gordon is actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt's grandfather. Also interesting is that during the height of the Hollywood blacklist, Gordon was out of work, returning in the later half of the 50's as McCarthyism (and the House Un-American Activities Committee) died down. Deighan is wise to not turn a blind eye to the typical Native American / indigenous representation in Oaters from the 30s-60s (and beyond). And while this is no transgressive revisionist western, the casting of Joey Bishop in the role of 'Cronk' is apparently meant to ridicule the old Hollywood casting tropes. Deighan also shares the love of the old celebrity roasts, where she was introduced to Dean Martin in the 80s (re-runs). I don't want to spoil the rest of the track but Deighan covers everything from the various portrayals of masculinity to the varied history of the 'Rat Pack'. The only other extras on the disc are the film's trailer, and trailers for other Kino Lorber Blu-ray titles.

"Texas Across the River" is a rather silly take on the Western genre. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray is surely the best that the film has looked to date. This isn't my cup of tea, though surely Dean Martin and Joey Bishop fans will want to pick this one up. The cast is absolutely stacked (Alain Delon, Rosemary Forsyth, Peter Graves etc.).

Colin Zavitz