I knew those highways in 1956 and 1957 when they were still narrow ribbons of asphalt in the middle of a clean, dry desert.
In High Sierra Bogart makes the overly theatrical Duke Mantee a thing of the distant past.
A cool hand at dealing with backstabbing creeps, Wes easily turns the tables on them and prevails.
Interestingly, the final disposition of the robbery loot is left up in the air, or in this case, forgotten atop a confessional booth.
Lee Marvin has a small role, if I remember.
He checks out the old family farm and develops a sentimental envy for the okie- like Goodhues, a family of rubes come to the big city.