Revisiting ‘Ride Clear of Diablo’, an underrated western starring Audie Murphy

A vintage 1954 theatrical poster for “Ride Clear of Diablo,” a Universal Western ably directed by Jesse Hibbs and starring Audie Murphy. Featuring Dan Duryea, one of the most sadistic villains in cinema history, his tentative onscreen alliance with railroad surveyor Murphy is essential viewing for classic Western aficionados. Image Credit: SarahBethOnline.com / Universal Studios

Released in March 1954 by Universal International Studios, Ride Clear of Diablo is a well-paced western starring Audie Murphy that provides plenty of entertainment in its tight 81-minute running time.

After appearing in a string of largely forgettable westerns for Universal during the early ’50s, notably exempting Tumbleweed…