THE MAN WITH THE GUN

US, 1955, 84 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Mitchum, Jan Sterling, Karen Sharpe, Henry Hull, Emilie Meyer, John Lupton.
Directed by Richard Wilson.

The Man With The Gun is a small-scale western, predictable, but nonetheless effective. It was written and directed by Richard Wilson.

It is a star vehicle for Robert Mitchum as a town-tamer~, Jan Sterling is quite stern as his ex-wife and now madam in the town. There is a strong supporting cast.

The film has the town as its focus, has crisp black and white photography, has an atmosphere of tension (akin to High Noon and so many other films of the time) and has an exciting climax.

A typical enough western of any decade - but especially of the '50s.

1. Interesting and enjoyable western? The lawless town? The town tamer? A film of the '50s?

2. Black and white photography, the settings of the town, action sequences? Musical score?

3. The title and its focus on Clint? The reason for his taking the gun, the death of his unarmed father, his reaction, vengeance, his reputation as a town-tamer, his use of the gun, Jeff's use of the gun?

4. The setting of the town, its lawlessness, the rider killing the dog, the business people being afraid, the town council meeting, the possibility of hiring the town-tamer, reluctance, the vote? Leaving Clint to do his work? The interactions with the people? The man with the gun and his rules? Dangers, final confrontation?

5. Robert Mitchum as Clint, drifting through, his reputation as a town-tamer, his story about his father's death and the burning of the house, his own reactions? Being hired? Not wanting intervention? His seeking out Nellie and her refusal to give information, the truth about their daughter? His reaction and the burning of the saloon? His-relationship with the blacksmith, with individual members of the council, at the hotel? With Jeff and Stella and Jeff’s pig-headedness? Stella's attraction? The absence of the town boss? The confrontation with Lescau at the saloon? The deaths of the riders? The final plan, the lawyer and his watching Clint's behaviour? The girl and the set-up? Dade and his coming into town? The shooting, Jeff killing Dade? Clint being wounded, Nellie's contribution to helping foil the plot? Their going off together?

6. Nellie and her bitterness, the death of their daughter, businesswoman, strict with the girls, not wanting scandal, the women of the town wanting them out, the closing down of the saloon, her leaving, her hearing of the plot, trying to foil it? The gallery of girls (and Angie Dickinson in an early role)? Anne and her part in the plot, her fashions and jewels, her being upset?

7. Jeff as the town hero building the house, stances, being shot at, in the hospital? Relationship with Stella? Her concern about him, wanting Clint to help? The capturing of the gunman and the exchange for Jeff? The gratitude? Jeff finally killing Dade? The town council, their business, the blacksmith and his friendship, relationship with his daughter?

8. Dade as the boss, his death? The gunman (including an early role of Claude Akins)? Lescau and his working at the saloon, the knife, his attempt to kill Clint?

9. The picture of the lawless town, the need for justice, the role of the town tamer? The western heritage?