Gun Glory (1957) User Reviews

Thrilling and decent Western drama about a gunslinger attempting to settle down to ranch life

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 15 December 2015]

Highly watchable Western about confrontation between cattlemen and homesteaders . This Western is a superior outing because it displays emotion , shoot'em up , brawls , intrigue , riding pursuits and many other things . It deals with Tom Early (Stewart Granger) , a gunfighter and card player returns home after thee years to find the town would rather not have him . In his farm Tom finds his surly son Tom Early Jr. (Steve Rowland , director's son) who lives alone . As the cattlemen led by Grimsell (James Gregory) threaten to destroy it by stampeding cattle through the farmlands . Early regains the town's respect when he stops a murderer from invading the town with his cattle herd . At the grocery Tom meets Sam , the shopkeeper grocer (Jacques Aubuchon), who humiliates his labourer Jo (gorgeous Rhonda Fleming) . As Tom is fighting to stifle the conflicts between homesteaders and cattlemen who hire gunfighters . In the meantime , it is developed a loving triangle between the daddy Tom , his son and a good girl (Rhonda Fleming) . At the end , Tom has to face various professional killers alone , after being abandoned to his fate by the gutless townspeople who disagrees with taking up weapons .

The movie gets Western action , shootouts , a love story , thrills and results to be quite entertaining . It's a medium budget film with good actors , technicians , production values and pleasing results . It's an exciting western with breathtaking gunfight between the brave protagonist Stewart Granger against the heartless James Gregory and his nasty hoodlums ; in addition , a stirring ending fight into a narrow pass , including explosion and a spectacular stampede . This movie is a lot of fun to watch . It's an acceptable story with a touch of peculiarity , some great characters , and an amazing music score . Here filmmaker Roy Rowland delivers a decently-paced film , however he could be counted on to deliver solid "B" pictures which, at MGM , were often better than most other studios' "A" pictures . Interesting as well as moving screenplay by William Ludwig and uncredited Ben Maddow , being based on novel: "Man of the West" by the prestigious Philip Yordan . The picture is a tale of justice , redemption and about a particular relationship between a gunslinger father and a grumpy son . The basic plot is typical classic Western fare , but what makes this movie stand out is its style . Nice acting by Stewart Granger as the relentless Pistolero turned farmer , he is the ultimate hero figure , his sheer presence overwhelming . This ¨Gun glory¨ seems to be one the most exciting of his long career . Although Granger was tops at Britain's box office during the Forties , he was taken by Hollywood and a whole group of Westerns and other posse of adventures , action movies to turn Stewart into an international star . Support cast is pretty well , such as Chill Wills as Preacher , James Gregory , Jacques Aubuchon and the young Steve Rowland who usually plays films directed by his father , Roy Rowland . Colorful cinematography in glamorous Technicolor , showing splendidly the spectacular outdoors . Adequate musical score by Jeff Alexander , including a wonderful theme song , being sung by the notorious actor Burl Ives .

The motion picture was well directed by Roy Rowland . Roy sharpened his directing chops at MGM with a series of shorts starting in the 1930s, then moved up to features in 1943 . Roy spent quite a bit of time at the studio, from 1943-51 and again from 1954-58 ; he had the good fortune to marry the niece of Louis B. Mayer and was the father of actor Steve Rowland . While not one of the studio's top-rank directors , he was a good professional who had a considerable success . Most were B-movies, but he occasionally handled such A-graders . His greatest hit was , of course , the fantasy movie titled The 5000 fingers of Dr T (1953) . Rowland made an action picture for independent release based on a Mickey Spillane "Mike Hammer" novel starring Spillane himself (Girl hunters (1963)) . He specialized in a variety of genres, including musicals : ¡Viva Las Vegas! (1956) The seven hills of Rome (57) , Two weeks with love (50) and dramas : Our wines have tender grapes 45 with Edward G Robinson (1945). He was also responsible for the tough, fast-paced Rogue Cop (1954), one of the few MGM films that could be considered "film noir" . Roy was a Western expert , as the last film he made at MGM was this "B" western with Stewart Granger, Gun Glory (1957) ; besides , he filmed Outriders with Joel McCrea , Bugles in the afternoon with Ray Milland and Many rivers to cross with Robert Taylor ; after which and then he traveled to Europe for a string of Spanish/Italian-made westerns such as Los Pistoleros De Casa Grande and Ley Del Forastero . His final film as director was a somewhat cheesy pirate movie (he was uncredited ; his Italian co-director Sergio Bergonzelli got sole credit) called El Tigre De Los 7 Mares and its sequel : Tormenta Sobre el Pacífico (1966) . He was associate producer on Nathan Juran's Spain-shot Western : Al Infierno, gringo (1969), after which he retired .

Underrated Western

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 23 January 2011]

In 1886, the gunman and gambler Tom Early (Stewart Granger) returns to his homeland to settle down but he is rejected by the crippled grocer Sam Winscott (Jacques Aubuchon) and also by his community. He rides to his farm, where he finds that his wife Alice has recently died and his resented son Tom Early Jr. (Steve Rowland), who does not accept the use of guns, is working alone. On the next morning, Tom rides to the town to buy supplies and sees Sam humiliating his employee Jo (Rhonda Fleming). Further, the cattle lord Grimsell (James Gregory) arrives in town with two gunfighters, Gunn (Arch Johnson) and Blondie, and tells to the Preacher (Chill Wills) that he will cross 20,000 head of cattle through their lands and their town. The Preacher tells that the lands belong to the locals but Grimsell is not interested in their rights. When Blondie sees Tom Early, he draws his gun trying to kill Tom, but he shoots first in self-defense and kills the gunman. Further, he invites Jo to work in his farm for his son and him. While the Preach wants to send an emissary to Laramie to bring documents and the law to his town, Grimsell summons more than thirty gunfighters to work for him. When the emissary is murdered by Gunn, the naive Preacher organizes a posse to unsuccessfully fight against Grimsell. The farmers are ambushed and attacked and the survivors return to the town. But Tom Early decides to provoke an stampeding and fight against Grimsell.

"Gun Glory" is an underrated western visibly inspired in the masterpiece "Shane" of four years before. I do not agree with most of the unfair IMDb reviews and I really liked this film. Stewart Granger is perfect in the role of a dangerous man that decides to settle down and is rejected most of the population including his estranged son. I am a big fan of the sweet and lovely red-haired actress Rhonda Fleming and once again she has a great performance. The twenty-five year old Steve Rowland is miscast in the role of Tom Early Jr. that is supposed to be younger. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil):"Arma de um Bravo" ("Weapon of a Brave")

God Moves In Mysterious Ways.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 29 July 2016]

Gun Glory is directed by Roy Rowland and adapted to screenplay by William Ludwig from Philip Yordan's novel, Man of the West. It stars Stewart Granger, Rhonda Fleming, Chill Wills, James Gregory and Steve Rowland. Music is by Jeff Alexander - with the title song "The Ninety and the Nine" song by Burl Ives - and cinematography is by Harold J. Marzorati.

What we have here is a very familiar tale. Granger is gunslinger Tom Early, who returns to his home town after a number of years to find his wife has died and his son (Rowland) is unsurprisingly miffed at his father having abandoned them. The townsfolk, also, are not exactly enamoured to have him back either, but since they are in the grip of terror brought about by violent cattle baron Grimsell (Gregory), a chance for Early to make peace with all is in the offering.

Granger was winding down his contract with MGM and this could hardly be seen has a triumphant fanfare finale. Yet for committed Western film fans there's still plenty to enjoy. Handsome is a word that springs to mind, Granger and Fleming positively ooze sexual beauty, the Calif locations (Bronson Canyon - Whoosh!) are magnificently brought to life via CinemaScope (Metrocolor), while costuming and set designs are most appealing.

The script is weak, though, and familiarity of story demands that elsewhere the pic needs to cover the shortcomings. Action scenes are all too brief, but the stunt work on show is impressive and the construction of shoot-outs, and a rockslide sequence, certainly stirs the blood. Elsewhere, Jacques Aubuchon's lecherous windbag act gets tiresome pretty quickly, and the overt religion angles are heavy handed (even the musical score is full of biblical swirls) - the latter of which a shame because Chill Wills as The Preacher turns in the best perf in the pic.

Hardly a must see movie, then, but Oater fans, and fans of the stars, are not short changed (Gregory does good villainy as well). Even if ultimately it comes off as a "going through the motions" movie that's very pretty but of little substance. 6.5/10

Pleasant, well-acted, but somewhat violent western

[Bob-45 · 6/10 · 18 September 2000]

GUN GLORY reminds me once again what a pleasure it is to watch Stewart Grainger and Rhonda Fleming. Grainger took a relaxed approach to his roles, much like Van Johnson but without as much smugness. Grainger plays a family man who has become a drifter, a gambler and a gunfighter. Coming home after learning the futility of "chasing rainbows," he returns to his ranch, only to discover his wife is dead and his son wants no part of him. He hires Rhonda Fleming to keep house for him, and she works to bring father and son together. Fleming is, without doubt, the most beautiful and shapely redhead to ever grace the movie screen (yes, including Maureen O'Hara). Here, once again, she proves she can act as well. It's a pity Hollywood didn't take her more seriously. All of the adults are top notch; however, the actor who play the son is only OK, and the actor who plays the young gunfighter is laughably bad. Top acting honor goes to Chill Wills as a wise, nonjudgemental reverand. Exquisitely photographed in Metrocolor and Cinemascope, GUN GLORY is always easy to watch. The story could have used a few more twists, and the climax seems a bit too easy. However, this is a movie that can, for the most part, be enoyed by the entire family.

Atypical at Times...Elevated Fifties Western

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 26 May 2016]

Above Average 50's Western with a few Edgy Things that Elevate beyond the mundane. Stewart Granger and Rhonda Fleming are Attractive Stars and Competent Actors.

The Film was Shot in Cinemascope that adds to the Wide Open Landscape. The Colorful Setting is used to advantage and the Simple Story is Spiced with some Atypical Shacking Up and Lustful Scenes. That alone is against the grain of most Fifties Fodder and Preaching.

Although, it must be said there is a Heavy Amount of Preaching in the Screenplay. Chill Wills as a Bible Toting Preacher is a Major Character and the Dialog often reverts to Philosophy from the Pulpit. It almost becomes too much but not quite.

The Tension and Action are Amped Up in the Second Half as things become Violent and Explosive. The Solid Direction from Old Pro Rowland keeps things from becoming Clichéd and/or Standard Stuff.

Overall, a Well-Done Entry in the Abundance of 1950's Westerns and is, Unlike the Majority of Output in the Decade, well Worth a Watch.

changing west western

[RanchoTuVu · 7/10 · 1 August 2006]

The story of peace-loving farmers and townspeople fighting for land, water, law and order, and the respect and ultimate subjugation of the long entrenched cattle interests and their hired guns had been worked over better in earlier (Shane) and probably later films as well. There's some good action scenes and the general layout of the story, excluding a disappointing ending, is well executed. Law and order and religion have established roots in the town, but the old order of cattle drives, cowboys, and gunslingers is still around as well. The clash of the two occurs in a nicely staged ambush scene where the townsmen ride right into a trap. Granger, an ex-gunfighter, plays the guy who is shunned by the very townspeople who need his expertise with a gun.

Good only for its two stars...

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 6/10 · 2 April 2000]

Westerns were in fashion after the surprise smash of "Fastest Gun Alive", 1956.

"Gun Glory" opens with a gunfighter (Stewart Granger), facing community rejection upon returning home to settle down... He finds his wife dead and his son resentful...

Granger's personal magnetism is fair enough to carry a tedious story... He manages to be quiet fast in the gun... Strong, warm, sure and tender while remaining a father and a man in love...

Rhonda Fleming comes out graceful but her character loses some of its translation to Western lead... She seems more comfortable with her lighthearted love interest...

Despite a few pretentious action moments, "Gun Glory" - photographed in color and CinemaScope - is, on the whole, good only for its two stars...

The Gunfighter Settles Down

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 19 September 2005]

Stewart Granger as gunfighter Tom Early rides back into his home town tired of life on the trail. He'd like to settle down with his wife and kid. A lot like Gregory Peck in The Gunfighter. But his wife is dead and his kid is sullen and resentful.

There's a cattle baron played by James Gregory who's looking to drive a herd through the valley where Granger's and other ranches are. If he needs to Granger is more than willing to lend his gun in defense of the valley like Alan Ladd. But the others want to try it peaceful.

Granger and his kid played by Steve Rowland also have Rhonda Fleming living with them now as a housekeeper. Another reviewer likened that to Rachel and the Stranger, but in that one Loretta Young was forced by convention to marry Bill Holden.

So we've got parts of three previous films and I probably could think of more. Yet it's three good films and while this one isn't great, it's enjoyable.

One theme that was thrown in there for reasons I don't understand. At one point Steve Rowland, feeling his teenage oats, tries to take advantage of Rhonda Fleming. She stops his advances and there's no more made of it. I'm not sure why that was included in the film, since there was no confrontation with the father over Fleming.

Two other key roles are Arch Johnson as Gregory's hired gun who's on his own mission against Granger. And Chill Wills plays the town preacher. The town is too small to have any kind of organized governing body, so the preacher is the unofficial town political as well as moral leader. Theocracy in the old west.

Chill Wills also sings in this film. During a scene at his unfinished church he leads the congregation in When the Roll is Called Up Yonder. Chill Wills was a singer in fact before he became a character actor. His screen debut was in Bing Crosby's first Anything Goes as part of the Avalon Boys Trio.

Not a great western, but a mix of a few films to create a good afternoon's entertainment.

prodigal father.

[dbdumonteil · 8 November 2003]

Stewart Granger comes back to his native one-horse town to find his wife dead ,and his son,Tom,a resentful bitter young lad.The son is an idealist,who cannot understand why you've got to make your gun speak .But he will find out. This is a routine western,but one which retains a certain charm:it's too bad that some characters were not more developed:the disabled man who's burning with a desire for his protégée Fleming;the priest who welcomes the renegade in his not-yet-finished church and urges the whole congregation not to judge (if they do not want to be judged themselves).The action scenes are kept for the final third and the screenplay mainly focuses on the relationship Granger/Fleming/son .The female part sometimes recalls Rachel's in "Rachel and the stranger" ,the last line recalls that offbeat western too. Splendid colors,Granger's presence and Fleming's charm make up for the triteness of the plot.... and the dubious side of its moral.

Decent western

[gordonl56 · 7/10 · 10 June 2014]

GUN GLORY – 1957

This one trots out more than a few of the themes used in quite a few western films. The gunfighter wants to give up the life, the gunfighter returns to the family he left years before, the son who hates the man for leaving. Then there are the townsfolk who dislike having a gunfighter around and the woman who falls for the man. Then there is the villain type who forces the gunfighter to strap on the guns again.

Having said all that, this is a pretty fair western. Stewart Granger plays the gunfighter, Rhonda Fleming the woman, Steve Rowland the son and James Gregory is the villain. Granger arrives in a small town to rejoin his wife and son after being gone for 10 years. He rides out to their ranch but finds that his wife had died years before. The son, Steve Rowland is not at all happy with Granger's return. But he tries to get along with Granger because he knew that his mother loved Granger deeply.

Granger tells Rowland he just wants to settle down and help make the ranch a going concern. The two decide to make the best of the deal. They are soon joined by Rhonda Fleming who is hired to cook and keep house for the two.

Jacques Aubuchon, the town general store owner, is not happy about this as he had eyes for Miss Fleming. He of course goes on a campaign to have the townsfolk ask Granger to leave. The town preacher, Chill Wills, is of the live and let live bunch, and hopes Granger will blend into the community.

It does not take long and trouble comes a calling to the town. Big time cattle man, James Gregory, intends to run 20,000 cattle through the valley. And needless to say the new town is in the way. Granger happens to be in town picking up supplies and hears Gregory telling everyone to pack up and skedaddle. Granger steps up and suggests Gregory take his herd around the valley.

One of Gregory's hands decides that a bit of gun play is needed. A big mistake as the man is dropped by Granger. Gregory and his bunch ride off. We all know this is going to get worse before it gets better. To cut to the quick, Gregory and his bunch bushwhack a group of men from the town, killing several, including the preacher, Wills.

Granger feels he must join in and save the town. He uses explosives to close the pass the cattle must use, then duels it out with Gregory and his number one gun, Arch Johnson. Johnson is dispatched with a tad more lead than is good for him.

Everyone is happy and Gregory flees off into the sunset.

Not the best western I've seen, but by no means, is it a waste of time. Veteran director, Roy Rowland shows his usual steady hand and keeps any of the clichés from overpowering the story. (Steve Rowland is the director's son) Some of Rowland's other films include, SCENE OF THE CRIME, THE OUTRIDERS, BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON, WITNESS TO MURDER, ROGUE COP and MANY RIVERS TO CROSS.

All in all, a decent way to kill an afternoon in front of the television.

Could Have Used a Bit More Passion or Excitement

[Uriah43 · 5/10 · 6 May 2015]

After leaving his wife and son to begin a quest for fame and fortune a gunman by the name of "Tom Early" (Stewart Granger) finally returns home to discover that his son no longer respects him and his wife has passed away and been buried. Although he tells his son that he wants to change his ways when he rides into town he has to shoot and kill another man in self-defense which convinces everyone that he is still the same. Additionally, when he hires a pretty, young woman named "Jo" (Rhonda Fleming) to help out at his ranch it creates gossip and even more trouble among the townspeople as well. Now rather than reveal any more of this film and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a decent western movie by and large. It had a decent cast and both Stewart Granger and Rhonda Fleming performed in their usual professional manner. Likewise, Rhonda Fleming was also quite attractive. Having said that I must admit that the plot was rather predictable and some of the scenes could have used a bit more passion or excitement in some parts. Even so I suppose it was enjoyable enough for the time spent and I rate it as about average.

Stewart Granger's Best Western

[zardoz-13 · 8/10 · 31 March 2015]

Stewart Granger plays a fast-draw gunslinger Tom Early in "Outriders" director Roy Rowland's scenic oater "Gun Glory" who comes back home to his sprawling ranch to resume where he left off before he started riding. Early gets a shock when he shows up and discovers that his wife is dead and his son (Steve Rowland) hates. Some of the people in the community abhor him even more. Principally, a crippled storekeeper Sam Winscott (Jacques Aubuchon of "Thunder Road") hates Tom with a passion. He hates him not only because Tom has a reputation, but also because he persuades the girl his former wife and he raised like a daughter, Jo (Rhonda Fleming of "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral"), to come and cook for Steve and he. Winscott has the temerity to make sexual advances toward Jo and he is shocked when she doesn't respond with affection. The action heats up when a cattleman, Grimsell (James Gregory of "PT-109"), plans to drive his herd across Early's land and through the town. Grimsell means to destroy the town. The first day that he rides into town, he makes his aims clear. As it happens, Tom Early is in town, too. Grimsell's gun hand Blondie (Rayford Barnes of "The Wild Bunch") challenges Tom to a duel. Tom blows him out of his saddle, and Winscott redoubles his efforts to besmirch Tom's reputation. Winscott's hate for Tom drives Jo right into Tom's arms. When Grimsell refuses to stand down and decides to plow the town under the hooves of his steers, he assembles an army of gunfighters. The local preacher (Chill Wills) gathers the townspeople and the farmers to confront Grimsell's gunmen, but the gunmen back shoot the preacher and scatter the townspeople. Gunn (Arch Johnson) nurses a special kind of hate for Tom because he gunned down Blondie. Gunn shoots down Winscott like a dog after Grimsell's gun hand massacre the townspeople and wound Tom's son in the leg.

Seasoned MGM director Roy Rowland, who also helmed "Bugles in the Afternoon" as well as many episodes of "The Life and Times of Wyatt Earp," handles the action expertly and doesn't allow anything to interfere with the momentum of the plot. Sure, it takes 18 minutes for Tom Early to out draw his first adversary. Clocking in at a lean 89 minutes, Rowland doesn't waste a moment in this standard-issue oater, and "Oklahoma!" scenarist William Ludwig comes up with some memorable dialogue to keep the interpersonal relationships interesting. The theme of the gunfighter who cannot hang up his gun is done with skill and Stewart Granger acquits himself serviceably in the role. Rhonda Fleming is the woman who doesn't want him to sacrifice his life. Rowland would make a couple of westerns in Spain during the Spaghetti western crazy, and "Gun Glory" has all the marks of an exciting Spaghetti. To thwart Grimsell and his bunch, Tom Early resorts to dynamiting the terrain and stampeding the villain's cattle. Particularly striking is Harold J. Marzorati's cinematography; when he shoots a long shot, it's a long shot. Spectators who enjoy hell-bent-for-leather westerns with a lot of dust and tough talking will enjoy this sturdy if stereotypical saga. You can tell that this is a 1950s' western because Chill Wills warbles the title tune, which isn't too bad. This is an unusual western is some respects because it endorses the use of violence. Tom's son admits, "There are times when you have to use a gun. There's no other way."

Moderately entertaining!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 1 July 2017]

Copyright 1957 by Loew's Inc. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. New York opening at the Palace (supporting the usual vaudeville bill): 19 July 1957. U.S. release: August 1957. U.K. release: 15 December 1957. Australian release: 18 July 1957. 7,981 feet. 88 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Well acted and directed, this western deals with a rover (Granger) who returns home to find his son (Rowland, the real-life son of the director) grown up and embittered. Needless to say, thanks to the encroachments of a wicked cattleman against whom our rover eventually proves his mettle, dad eventually wins his son around. There is plenty of riding and shooting and the photography is equally exciting. — Adapted from Picture Show.

NOTES: Steve Rowland had a modest career. I was told he debuted in "The Student Prince", but I've not checked this information. Other films I have for him are 'Wild Youth' (1961), 'The Thin Red Line' (1964), "Battle of the Bulge" (1965), his father's 'Gunfighters of Casa Grande" (1965), and "Hallucination Generation" (1966).

COMMENT: Some wag of a colorful showman once described DeLuxe as "DeLousy". I wonder what epithet he came up with for "Metrocolor" — Eastman Color processed by M-G-M's laboratory. If "Gun Glory" is a fair sample of the lab's proficiency, you'd imagine the critics having a field day — if most of them weren't half blind. (Did I ever tell you about a certain city's two leading critics, one who couldn't see very clearly any further than three feet — even with her spectacles on — and the other who had to wear dark glasses at film screenings because the light hurt his eyes).

Actually, the exteriors come across with a fair degree of impact, but the interiors don't flatter the players, particularly Rhonda Fleming, erstwhile queen of Technicolor, who looks as if she's spent the day bathing her face and fingers in a basin of bleach. (The result of poor color grading by the lab). Her acting is not great shakes either, though Rowland Junior beats her hollow in the Least Convincing Performance department.

As for Rowland Senior, his direction is pretty routine, though he does put the action material over effectively enough for fans of the double-bill western. And that's what "Gun Glory" is — a movie designed at best for the top half of a midweek double bill, unpretentious, but moderately entertaining in its own modest way.

Painful, unrealistic, clichéd Western. Avoid it.

[chipe · 2/10 · 15 July 2009]

I get the feeling that the producers of this mess were out to make the most painful, ridiculous Western ever made. "PAINFUL" is the best word I can think of to describe it.

On the plus side you have nice color photography and beautiful and well-spoken Rhonda Fleming. My sympathy goes to Jacques Aubuchon (who played the cripple), who acted well enough in an annoying role, written so atrociously that no actor could give an enjoyable performance. The production values were quite good, which only served to highlight the terrible story and screenplay.

Things I hated: Stewart Granger looked so little like a western figure, what with his British accent, neat tailored outfit, and silly immaculate always-white kerchief tied around his neck. It got tiresome the way the townspeople and his son were constantly haranguing and insulting Granger, and he never spoke up or replied back. I know we are supposed to suspend disbelief and appreciate Westerns as symbolic morality plays, but this one broke the spell with it laughably unrealistic and predictable scenes, the worst being at the end where Granger miraculously, speedily and single-handedly plants dynamite around a canyon pass that the bad guy's cattle will pass through, and then Granger plants himself in the perfect spot so he can shoot the dynamite from a very far distance to create rock slides to bury and spook the cattle and bad guys, seemingly destroying them all, save the two main bad guys. Next worst is everything about the plot, which is loaded with soap opera scenes. Nothing in the movie seemed believable: I couldn't believe what all the conflict was about. The bad guy was driving his herd through to market and wanted the cows to chew some grass along the way; I don't see why something couldn't have been worked out. You need a land ownership dispute for that? Don't bother to see it.

western fare

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 11 August 2023]

Gunslinger Tom Early (Stewart Granger) returns to his hometown without much welcome. His beloved wife is dead and his abandoned son is angry with him. Most in town ostracizes him. Only Jo (Rhonda Fleming) shows him any acceptance. Cattle baron Grimsell and his thugs run roughshot over the the town and he's the only one who has the ability to fight back.

I really like the story of the returning gunslinger. The son is an issue. He's written all over the place and the acting is really broad. The melodrama gets a bit much. On the other hand, Rhonda Fleming is great. I also like the Priest character and his flaws. As for Tom Early himself, I like the idea of the character. I imagine Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven. Stewart Granger is not as hard as that, but he's good enough. The ending has some of that. I would like it to be harsher. All in all, the story is great western fare with a simple confrontation and some minor issues.

A western made when the number of cows counted for quality.

[denscul · 2/10 · 29 July 2006]

I'm a big fan of the old westerns, and do not believe that Hollywood is capable of capturing its old glory. But not even Ronda Fleming and Stewart Granger can help this 1957 movie which carries nearly all the trite characteristics of westerns of the reformed gunfighter turned good guy. fallen but virtuous woman, bigoted townspeople who must turn to gunfighter for salvation, etc. I can't help but notice the last names of the writer and young "actor" who plays Granger's son. Any nepotism there? I've seen better acting in high school plays. Chill Wills plays a cartoon characterization of Chill Wills. Have I reached the 1000 words yet?

crap dialogue

[sandcrab277 · 5/10 · 29 February 2020]

The only worthwhile part of this film were the scenes with rhonda fleming ... the rest of the film all i could hear was stewart grangers spurs clanking ...

Gun glory

[coltras35 · 4/10 · 20 March 2023]

Live by the gun, die by the gun? "Depends on what kind of shot you are," fast-drawing Tom Early says. Folks in an emerging frontier community in 1880s Wyoming Territory want nothing to do with Early's kind of six-shooter justice. But he may be the only one who can stop cattlemen from destroying the town.

Stewart Granger portrays Early and Rhonda Fleming (Gunfight at the O. K. Corral) co-stars in this Western morality tale which looks great in CinemaScope and location, and boasts some good performances from Granger, who looks great in westerns, and Rhonda Fleming, however they can't save this from being dull and boring. I don't mind formulaic, but a talky and a lazy script I don't - and the actor who plays Granger's son is a poor actor. I was very disappointed when I saw this as I expected a good western.

gun glory

[mossgrymk · 5/10 · 2 September 2023]

This Western from director Roy Rowland is fairly unremarkable. Every so often there is an interesting ambiguity in William Ludwig's screenplay, such as Arch Johnson's bad guy actually given some depth of characterization, that briefly lifts it above the standardization line. But for the most part it takes two of the Western genre's hoariest story cliches, namely the gun fighter who longs to hang 'em up but cannot and the evil cattlemen versus the hard working farmers, and does virtually nothing unexpected or fresh with them. And the scenes with the director's kid playing Stew Granger's disaffected son are some of the worst Hollywood thespian nepotism till Sophia Coppola came along, in "Godfather 3". Give it a C.

PS...Let me welcome Rhonda Fleming to the 1950s/Early 60s Under Rated Actress Society whose honored president is Jane Russell and whose distinguished members include Stella Stevens, Angie Dickenson, Constance Towers and Vera Miles.