If you look up the 1963 film 4 for Texas, you’ll likely find a bunch of reviews calling it a mess. Honestly? They aren’t entirely wrong. But there’s something fascinating about watching two of the biggest icons in history—Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin—basically treat a multi-million dollar movie set like a private party at the Sands.
It’s a weird one. It’s a Western, but it feels more like a Las Vegas variety show with horses. You’ve got the Rat Pack charm, a very stressed-out director, and a cameo by the Three Stooges that feels like a fever dream.
What Really Happened During Filming?
Behind the scenes, things were... tense. The movie was directed by Robert Aldrich. Now, Aldrich wasn’t some pushover. He’d just finished What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, so he knew how to handle big personalities. But Sinatra was a different beast.
Reports from the set suggest Frank really didn't want to be there. Aldrich actually calculated that over 37 days of filming, Sinatra only put in about 80 hours of actual work. Think about that. That's a lot of "fading" early. Because Sinatra wouldn't do multiple takes or rehearsals, the script—which Aldrich had written and was already struggling with—started to fall apart.
The Cast: More Than Just Frank and Dino
While it's marketed as a Sinatra-Martin vehicle, the "4" in the title refers to their female co-stars: Anita Ekberg and Ursula Andress.
- Ursula Andress was fresh off her iconic role in Dr. No. She plays Maxine Richter, and her chemistry with Dean Martin is arguably the only thing keeping the movie grounded.
- Anita Ekberg plays Elya Carlson. She was the "Swedish Sexpot" of the era, though her scenes with Sinatra often feel like two people who happened to be in the same room by accident.
- Charles Bronson shows up as the villain, Matson. It’s funny seeing a young, brutal Bronson trying to play a serious heavy while the leads are busy cracking inside jokes.
- Victor Buono plays the corrupt banker, Harvey Burden. He’s fantastic, even if he looks like he’s melting under the Texas sun in those heavy wool suits.
The Plot (If You Can Call It That)
Basically, it's 1870. A stagecoach carrying $100,000 is attacked. Zack Thomas (Sinatra) and Joe Jarrett (Martin) manage to fight off the bandits but then immediately start fighting each other for the cash.
Eventually, the "action" moves to Galveston. They both want to open a casino. It’s a classic rivalry that turns into an alliance when they realize they need to team up to stop the crooked banker and Bronson's outlaw gang.
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It sounds like a standard Western. But it’s played for laughs. Sometimes the laughs are intentional, like the Three Stooges appearing as painting deliverymen. Other times, the humor is just... bizarre. Like the opening scene where a character is shot and Dean Martin’s character immediately starts picking his pockets. It's that dark, cynical "Rat Pack" humor that doesn't always age well.
Why the Movie Still Matters Today
Despite the 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 4 for Texas is a time capsule. It represents the peak of the "Cool" era where stars were bigger than the movies they were in.
- The Production Value: Even with the chaos, the movie looks expensive. It had a budget of $4.5 million in 1963—that’s huge. You can see it in the sets and the costumes.
- The Gender Dynamics: It’s a fascinating (and sometimes cringey) look at 60s masculinity. The women are there for "eye appeal," but Andress actually holds her own.
- The Director’s Struggle: Film students study this as a "how-to" on what happens when a director loses control of his stars. Aldrich later called the script a "disaster," but you can see him trying to inject some satire into the fluff.
The Three Stooges Factor
You can't talk about this movie without the Stooges. Moe, Larry, and "Curly Joe" DeRita pop up for a few minutes. It is incredibly jarring. You have these legendary vaudeville comedians doing their physical schtick while Dean Martin and Ursula Andress just... watch them. It doesn’t fit the plot. It doesn’t fit the tone. And yet, it’s one of the most remembered parts of the film.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're planning on diving into this piece of Rat Pack history, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the 2006 DVD Release: This version was part of the "Rat Pack Collection" and has much better clarity than the old VHS rips. You’ll be able to see the sweat on Victor Buono’s brow—literally.
- Focus on Dean Martin: Most critics agree that Dino "stole" this movie. He seems to be having more fun and actually puts effort into the character of Joe Jarrett.
- Check out the "Old Black Ben" Hearse: One of the props in the movie is an authentic hearse that supposedly carried bodies to Boot Hill in Dodge City. It’s a rare bit of "real" history in a very "Hollywood" movie.
- Look for the Stunt Doubles: In the final fistfight between Zack and Joe, it’s very obvious they used doubles for the long shots. It’s a fun game to spot when the real stars are actually on screen.
The movie isn't a masterpiece, but it's a wild ride. It shows what happens when the biggest stars in the world decide to make a Western on their own terms. If you go in expecting a gritty drama like The Searchers, you'll be disappointed. But if you want to see the Rat Pack being the Rat Pack in cowboy hats, it's a classic.