The last thing you might expect to
find is Mamie Van Doren co-starring in a traditional Western from a major
studio. But here she is as pristine as a cool mountain stream. And she is
fine. At this time she was an up and comer at Universal and it would not
be for two years before she started appearing in the slightly raunchy films
from Albert Zugsmith. Once she did that pretty much was the end of her mainstream
career. She is lovely here. The film is quite good as well. A low budget
Western but in color and with some good acting talent on hand and a terrific
script. It reminded me a bit of High Noon - a film that was influential on
so many Westerns. It doesn't have the theme of a sheriff alone facing some
killers as the towns people cower in their homes but it has the same feel
- the slow tension build up that all takes place in one day and a sheriff
who stands up for the law no matter what. John Agar gets the Gary Cooper
role while Mamie does Grace Kelly.
A man is to be hanged at sundown in the town of Gunlock. A professional killer
who someone hired to kill farmers who were encroaching on the lands of the
cattleman. This is Sam Hall who was paid $1,000 a kill. He had three of them.
But he won't say who hired him though everyone thinks they know who. The
top rancher and banker, Ballard - brother to Ellen (Mamie). The killer waiting
in jail is the wonderful Richard Boone who plays his role with a charming
roguishness. Have Gun Will Travel - a real favorite of mine - was to begin
a year later on TV.
The tension is ratcheted up during the day - inch by inch - the cattlemen
want to break him out, the farmers want to make sure he hangs, a couple women
have their agenda, the sheriff and his two deputies (James Gleason and Paul
Fix) count down the time to the hanging. Guns at the ready. One of the ranchers
is played by Harry Morgan. Time is ticking down. The cattle men are coming
into town. The farmers are nearby. Everyone is locked and loaded. Director
Charles Haas who mainly has a lot of TV credits does a fine job here with
the pacing and the small dramas that are woven in. Look for a very quick
appearance of Clint Eastwood. I mean quick. I said to myself that sure looked
like Clint. Early in the film he and the sheriff exchange a few words on
the street and off he goes never to be seen in the film again.
