James R. Webb’s Typical Vibe
Signature vibe
Highest-ranked title
Highest-ranked title
James R. Webb has 9 titles in the CriticCrunch catalog across a career spanning the 1950s through the 1970s. 1 ranks in the Top 10%, led by Cape Fear.
Recurring themes
Sam Bowden witnesses a rape committed by Max Cady and testifies against him. When released after 8 years in prison, Cady begins stalking Bowden and his family but is always clever enough not to violate the law.
Dir. J. Lee Thompson · With Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen

Retired wealthy sea captain Jim McKay arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between his future father-in-law, Major Terrill, and the rough and lawless Hannasseys over a valuable patch of land.
Dir. William Wyler · With Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker

The epic tale of the development of the American West from the 1830s through the Civil War to the end of the century, as seen through the eyes of one pioneer family.
Dir. Henry Hathaway, John Ford, George Marshall · With Carroll Baker, Lee J. Cobb, Henry Fonda
Leon Alastray is an outlaw who has been given sanctuary by Father John, whom he then escorts to the village of San Sebastian. The village is deserted, with its cowardly residents hiding in the hills from Indians, who regularly attack the village and steal all their supplies. When Father John is murdered, the villagers mistakenly think the outlaw is the priest. Alastray at first tells them he is not a priest, but they don't believe it, and an apparent miracle seems to prove they are correct. Eventually, he assists them in regaining their confidence and defending themselves.
Dir. Henri Verneuil · With Anthony Quinn, Charles Bronson, Jaime Fernández

A reluctant cavalry Captain must track a defiant tribe of migrating Cheyenne.
Dir. John Ford · With Richard Widmark, Carroll Baker, Karl Malden
After the American Civil War, mercenaries travel to Mexico to fight in their revolution for money. The former soldier and gentleman Benjamin Trane meets the gunman and killer Joe Erin and his men, and together they are hired by the Emperor Maximillian and the Marquis Henri de Labordere to escort the Countess Marie Duvarre to the harbor of Vera Cruz.
Dir. Robert Aldrich · With Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Denise Darcel

Following the surrender of Geronimo, Massai, the last Apache warrior is captured and scheduled for transportation to a Florida reservation. On the way he manages to escape and heads for his homeland to win back his girl and settle down to grow crops. His pursuers have other ideas though.
Dir. Robert Aldrich · With Burt Lancaster, Jean Peters, John McIntire

A pair of men try to perform the dangerous "triple" in their trapeze act. Problems arise when the duo is made into a trio following the addition of a sexy female performer.
Dir. Carol Reed · With Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Gina Lollobrigida
A police detective's investigation of a prostitute's murder points to his best friend.
Dir. Gordon Douglas · With Sidney Poitier, Martin Landau, Barbara McNair
Top Collaborators
Directors with 2+ shared titles, ranked by frequency