SHOOTOUT AT MEDICINE BEND

US, 1957, 87 minutes, Colour.
Randolph Scott, Angie Dickenson, James Garner, James Craig.
Directed by Richard L. Bare.

Shootout at Medicine Bend is a good western. It is a Randolph Scott vehicle, from the mid-'50s when Scott appeared in a great number of films which consolidated his reputation from the '30s and '40s. The film also has Angie Dickinson and James Garner in early roles as well as screen idol James Craig as a villain. The film has the expected complications, background of the Indian wars, gun-sellers and a villain running a town. The film also has a Quaker theme (seen in such films as The Angel and the Bad Man, High Noon, Friendly Persuasion). It is always enjoyable to see gunfighters posing as Quakers and trying to manage - as well as resolve the problems in the town. Very enjoyable of its kind.

1. An interesting and enjoyable western? Traditions of the western? The American heritage?

2. The atmosphere of the western town? The Quakers? The gun-sellers? The gang? Shoot-outs and clashes?

3. The title and the indication of action and theme? The gunfighters of the West? Violence? Law and order?

4. The focus on Dev1in, Maitland and Clegg? The experience of the Indian wars, coming to Medicine Bend, Dev1in's brother and his being killed by the Indians? The discovery of the truth and Clark's role in the town? their clothes being taken - the humorous and ironic touch, their getting Quaker clothes? Their being transformed into Quakers - and having to act accordingly? Priscilla and Nell? Their adaptation to the town, discovery of the truth, the clash with Clark and justice? The characters of each? Randolph Scott's style?

5. Priscilla, Nell and the people in the town? The women and their place in the town, religious background, support of Devlin and his company? Relationship with Clarke? Clashes?

6. Ed Clarke and his power in the town, supplying faulty cartridges, gun-running? His gang? The taking of the clothes? The clashes between Dev11n and Clarke? The final showdown?

7. The conventions of the western: the town, the Indians, gun-running, frontier law and order, justice? A good example of its kind?