THE FASTEST GUN ALIVE

US, 1956, 89 minutes, Black and white.
Glenn Ford, Broderick Crawford, Jeanne Crain, Russ Tamblyn, Allyn Joslyn, Leif Erickson, John Dehner.
Directed by Russel Rouse.

The Fastest Gun Alive is based on a story by Frank D. Gilroy called The Last Notch. Gilroy was to write plays and move into film screenplays and direction in the '60s with The Subject Was Roses. He also wrote The Only Game In Town and wrote and directed the Charles Bronson western From Noon Till Three. This is a modest western with a message. It was a star vehicle for Glenn Ford who appeared in numerous films at this time. Jeanne Crain was coming towards the end of her career. Broderick Crawford was a literally heavy villain. There is rousing music by Andre Previn and the film is in the tradition of High Noon with the lone gunfighter facing the villains threatening the city.

1. An interesting western? A blend of action and message? The tradition of serious westerns in the '50s in the vein of High Noon? Themes of the pioneer town, townspeople, law and order, violence and the gun. heroism and cowardice. the gunfighter standing for the town? Its impact in its time? Now?

2. Production values: black and white photography, the stars, sets? Action and shooting sequences? Andre Previn's score?

3. The title and its use throughout the film? The original title: The Last Notch - the reference to George. to his father? The ironies of the title?

4. The initial focus on Vin Harold and his brutality? Broderick Crawford's appearance and presence? Ugly violence? The confrontation with the fast gun, his death? Vin Harold's ambition and obsession? The reaction of the townspeople? Talk about him. the creation of a legend? Harold's inner drive, his inability to have anyone stand in his wag, pursuit of his reputation? Anger? His henchmen and his holding them together? The death and the posse? The build-up to the preparations for a showdown with George Temple? The device of the map showing Harold's travels through the west?

5. The introduction to George - His shooting practice and the audience knowing this but not the townspeople? His edginess. work in the shop, tensions in his relationship with Dora? With the townspeople? The bragging man and their talk in the saloon? His behaviour in the shop. at the dance? His anger and tension? The clash with the woman about her dress? Listening to the story about Harold and his impatient reaction? The knowledge that Dora understood him but was frightened?

6. The build-up to his drinking, his defying Dora, taking the drink. the talk in the saloon, his detailed explanation of gunfighting? The demonstration with the two dollars? The boy watching - and the irony of his telling Harold? The admiration of the people - their writing letters and the beginning of a legend?

7. Dora and her concern, the background of their marriage, the gradual revelation of the story about George's father. his fear, cowardice? Dora's pregnancy? Her reaction to his drinking., the gun? Her decision to leave him until he changed? Her change of heart after the experience in the church?

8. The picture of the town and its citizens? Insignificant town. pioneers. the way of life. properties. the talk about violence in the west. law and order? The life of the town, the saloon. the shop? Their concern about George? Their worshipping? The confrontation in the setting of the church?

9. The Sunday service. the prayer. George and his telling the truth to the congregation? Their decision to take oaths? The intercutting to Harold and his decision to go to the town for horses. the entry, the encounter with the boy. his father going to him and being held by Harold?

10. The falling out between the henchmen of Harold? Confrontations and hostility? Harold learning of George's reputation? The decision to set fire to the town?

11. The discussion in the church? The pressures from the various men for and against? The citizen going to the shoot-out instead of George? George deciding to go even though scared?

12. His going, the clash, the showing of the shooting and the holding of the audience in suspense? The funeral? The sheriff and the two dead henchmen? The burial of George - and the revelation that his gunfighter reputation was buried and that he could live in peace in the town?

13. The balance of action and reflection? The American heritage of the west, law and order, violence, the heroism needed in such situations? The hopes for peace? An enjoyable message western?