SEPTEMBER GUN
US, 1983, 92 minutes, Colour.
Robert Preston, Patty Duke, Jeffrey Lewis, Sally Kellerman, David Knell, Jacques Aubuchon, Christopher Lloyd.
Directed by Don Taylor.
September Gun is an entertaining telemovie – with a religious touch!
The film focuses on Patty Duke as a vigorous Sister Dulcina, a Sister of Hope, a missionary in Santa Fe looking after orphaned Apache children. The respectable citizens of Santa Fe want the Apache children out of there. She decides to take them to Columbine, Colorado (with a touch of irony in hindsight because of the shocking high school massacres in 1999 and Michael Moore’s Academy Award-winning documentary on gun culture, Bowling for Columbine). Patty Duke obviously enjoys herself as a feisty nun. She hires a retired gunfighter, Robert Preston, who is travelling with his ingenuous nephew, Jason (David Knell).
Life in Columbine isn’t easy, especially as a boss has taken over the church and is using it as a casino, hotel, brothel. The madam is played with some sympathy and style by Sally Kellerman. Christopher Lloyd is the boss. In the meantime, the alcoholic sheriff, Jeffrey Lewis, is unable to keep law and order.
The expected confrontations happen – and also the goodwill of Sister Dulcina, not judging the prostitutes, enables them to change their way of life and confront the bosses. Whether this kind of thing could actually happen, is up to the audience. However, as on screen, it is a diverting variation on a western theme with a shoot-out and a gun-toting Sister Dulcina.
Direction is by Don Taylor, an actor in many films like Father of the Bride and Father’s Little Dividend, who made the transfer to being a director for many television movies as well as some features including The Final Countdown.
1.An entertaining television movie? Variation on the western theme?
2.The title, the ageing gunfighter? The gun-toting nun? The background of the western gunfighters? Ben Sunday and his references to all the famous gunfighters of the west and his having been associated with them, having souvenirs and using them as models, like the OK Corral?
3.Sister Dulcina, by herself, in the habit, tough, her standing up to people, her physical violence and their cowering from her? Her looking after the Apache children, speaking to them in their own language? Her confrontation with the fathers of Santa Fe? The sheriff? Her sending for Ben Sunday? The priest, his exasperation with her, his putting her under a vow of silence? Her decision to go with the gunfighter, the trip to Columbine? Arrival in Columbine, confrontation of Jack Bryan, the church having been taken over? The antagonism of the town, the people not allowing her to buy goods in the shop? Momma Queen and her helping her, Sister not judging the prostitutes, giving her the prayer book? The encounter with the sheriff, his support? The antagonism with Ben, her pressurising him, challenging him as a coward? Her friendship with Jason? Settling the orphans? Their being taken by Jack Bryan? The decision for a confrontation, Ben Sunday training her in shooting? Their going into town, the confrontation, the High Noon stand with Ben Sunday? The change of heart with the prostitutes? Their helping? The transformation of the town? An amusing portrait of a feisty nun?
4.Robert Preston, veteran film star, appearing in many westerns, the grizzled ex-gunfighter? His stories – whether true or not? His taking Jason along, not wanting to be called Uncle? Promising to train him but not having confidence in him? Refusing to work for a dollar a day? His being called out by Sister Dulcina? Accompanying the group, the journey? The confrontation with Jack Bryan? The attraction to Momma Queen? His helping in the settlement, the abduction of the children and his teaching Sister and Jason how to shoot? His going into town, the High Noon stance with Jack, wounding him? Transforming the town – and his moving on, teaming up with Momma Queen?
5.Jason, the ingenuous young man, his uncle as a role model, his not being able to shoot well? His tagging along? Finding a home with the orphans?
6.The sheriff, alcohol, his story about his wife and children? His pity on himself? His inability to do anything? His friendship with Ben Sunday, Ben rehabilitating him, his falling back on the drink? His helping out – and his good heart?
7.Momma Queen, the stereotype of the saloon girl? Her strong stance, relationship with Jack? The kindness from Sister after she helped her with the shopping? The prayer book, the change of heart, moving the Temperance and other movements? Singing hymns? Taking sides against Jack? The other girls? Her relationship with Ben and a future?
8.Jack, the boss, arrogant, relationship with Momma Queen? His son, gunfighter? The confrontation with Sister, turning her out, pressurising the townspeople? His bluff being called, the High Noon shoot-out, his being wounded? Giving in?
9.The portrait of the west, New Mexico and Santa Fe and its respectability? Columbine as a frontier town? Echoing the transitions to respectability in the 19th century?
10.The humorous portrait of a nun – strong minded, strong willed, yet at the service of orphans and what is right? Her being like Christ and not being judgmental? People flocking to her and supporting her?
