GUN FOR A COWARD
US, 1957, 88 minutes, Colour.
Fred Mac Murray, Jeffrey Hunter, Janice Rule, Chill Wills, Dean Stockwell, Josephine Hutchinson, Betty Lynn, John Larch.
Directed by Abner Bibberman.
Gun for a Coward is a routine western with a strong cast. It was the kind of B‑film that Universal Studios made so often during the 1950s.
Fred Mac Murray, Jeffrey Hunter and Dean Stockwell play three brothers who are cattle ranchers. Their mother, Josephine Hutchinson, dotes on her second son, Jeffrey Hunter, and wants to take him away from the ranch. He was responsible, freezing at the age of seven, for his father’s death in being bitten by a snake. This worries him and he is considered a coward, always walking away from difficulties.
The film’s strong cast gives it a greater substance than it might otherwise have had. Mac Murray is assured as the oldest brother, Jeffrey Hunter earnest as the troubled middle brother, Dean Stockwell in his first adult role as a reckless younger sibling.
The film highlights themes of the open range, law and order in the west, clashes with the Indians, sibling rivalry.
1.Popular kind of western of the 50s? Themes?
2.The American west, the open range, the terrain, the homesteads, the town? Musical score?
3.The background of cattle ranching, building up empires, people failing, people succeeding, the groundwork for this part of American prosperity?
4.The title, the reference to Bless? His struggle with his reputation, his hesitation because of his father’s death when he was young, being reassured by Will, challenged by Hade? Love for Aud and her reticence? The build-up to the confrontation with Will? And his assuming authority?
5.The three brothers, their friendship, support of each other? Work?
6.Will, age, spending his life on the ranch, supporting his father? His being a father to his brothers? His concern about Bless, his mother’s pampering him? Worried about Hade and his irresponsibility? His love for Aud and her being promised to him? The drama on the ranch, Stringer and his deal, the celebrations? The cattle drive, the encounter with the Indians, taking Loving’s advice? Learning the truth, the confrontation with Bless, the fight? Hade’s death? His final decision to go off alone, travel, the farewell to Aud?
7.Bless, age, experience, memories of his father’s death, hard work, unable to shoot the snake threatening Hade? Aud’s love for him, their not wanting to hurt Will? The cattle drive, the encounter in the bar, trying to protect Hade? The stampede, his decision, the accusations, Hade’s death? The confrontation with Stringer, Will shooting him? The decision to go on the cattle run, Will leaving him in charge? A future with Aud?
8.Hade, young, cheeky, irresponsible? Bigoted, anti-Indian, loudmouthed, the scene in the bar, the threats? Not obeying Bless, his death?
9.Hannah, her love for her children, concern for Bless, protecting him when he was riding the rough horse? Her ignoring Hade? Wanting to leave, St Louis, Bless with her? Her illness, with Will when she died, not being able to wait for Bless?
10.Aud, her father, her being promised to Will, her love for Bless, talking with him, not wanting to hurt Will, finally telling him the truth, her father’s antagonism towards Bless, the happy ending?
11.Stringer, the other ranchers who failed, the farmhands? The rustlers and the stealing of the cattle? The stampede?
12.The encounter with the Indians, giving cattle because of passing through the land, being fair? Loving and his support of Will and advice?
13.Familiar western themes and characters – enjoyable nonetheless?
