Shane (1953)

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

Jack Schaefer (novel)
A.B. Guthrie Jr. (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

24 September 1953 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama | Western

Tagline:

There never was a man like SHANE. There never was a picture like SHANE.

Plot:

A weary gunfighter attempts to settle down with a homestead family, but a smoldering settler/rancher conflict forces him to act.

Plot Keywords:

Admired By Child | Gunfight | Homesteader | Rancher | Samurai

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Alan Ladd	...	Shane
Jean Arthur	...	Marian Starrett
Van Heflin	...	Joe Starrett
Brandon De Wilde	...	Joey Starrett
Jack Palance	...	Jack Wilson (as Walter Jack Palance)
Ben Johnson	...	Chris Calloway
Edgar Buchanan	...	Fred Lewis
Emile Meyer	...	Rufus Ryker
Elisha Cook Jr.	...	Frank 'Stonewall' Torrey
Douglas Spencer	...	Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
John Dierkes	...	Morgan Ryker
Ellen Corby	...	Mrs. Liz Torrey
Paul McVey	...	Sam Grafton
John Miller	...	Will Atkey, bartender
Edith Evanson	...	Mrs. Shipstead
Leonard Strong	...	Ernie Wright
Ray Spiker	...	Axel Johnson - Homesteader
Janice Carroll	...	Susan Lewis
Martin Mason	...	Ed Howells
Helen Brown	...	Martha Lewis
Nancy Kulp	...	Mrs. Howells
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ewing Miles Brown	...	Ryker Man (uncredited)
Bill Cartledge	...	Ryker man (uncredited)
William Dyer Jr.	...	Homesteader (uncredited)
Chester W. Hannan	...	Ryker man (uncredited)
Alana Ladd	...	Little Girl (uncredited)
David Ladd	...	Little Boy (uncredited)
George J. Lewis	...	Ryker man (uncredited)
Clayton Moore	...	Ryker (uncredited)
Howard Negley	...	Pete 'Yank' Potts, harmonica player (uncredited)
Charles Quirk	...	Clerk (uncredited)
Steve Raines	...	Ryker man (uncredited)
William Simonds	...	Homesteader (uncredited)
Jack Sterling	...	Ryker man (uncredited)
George Stevens	...	Knock him into that pigpen, Chris! (voice) (uncredited)
Beverly Washburn	...	Ruth Lewis (uncredited)
Henry Wills	...	Ryker man (uncredited)

Directed by
George Stevens

Writing credits
Jack Schaefer		(novel)
A.B. Guthrie Jr.		(screenplay)
Jack Sher		(additional dialogue)

Produced by
Ivan Moffat	....	associate producer
George Stevens	....	producer

Original Music by
Victor Young

Cinematography by
Loyal Griggs

Film Editing by
William Hornbeck
Tom McAdoo

Art Direction by
Hal Pereira
Walter H. Tyler		(as Walter Tyler)

Set Decoration by
Emile Kuri

Costume Design by
Edith Head

Makeup Department
Wally Westmore	....	makeup supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John R. Coonan	....	assistant director (as John Coonan)

Sound Department
Gene Garvin	....	sound recordist
Harry Lindgren	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
Farciot Edouart	....	process photography
Gordon Jennings	....	special photographic effects

Stunts
Russell Saunders	....	stunt double: Alan Ladd
Paul Baxley	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Wayne Burson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Danny Sands	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ray Spiker	....	stunts (uncredited)
Henry Wills	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Irmin Roberts	....	director of photography: second unit

Editorial Department
Richard Mueller	....	color consultant: Technicolor

Music Department
John C. Hammell	....	music editor (uncredited)
Franz Waxman	....	composer: stock music (uncredited)

Other crew
Joe De Young	....	technical advisor (as Joe de Yong)
Fred Guiol	....	associate director
Howie Horwitz	....	assistant to producer
Charles Morton	....	script supervisor (uncredited)
Rodd Redwing	....	hand double: Alan Ladd (uncredited)
George Stevens Jr.	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1953) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount (1953) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1959) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1968) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Paramount Filmes do Brasil (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Pictures (1960) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)

Runtime:

118 min | West Germany:90 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1953) | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #16223) | UK:PG (2003) | UK:U (1960) (cut) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

George Stevens originally cast Montgomery Clift as Shane, and William Holden as Joe Starrett. When both decided to do other films instead, the film nearly was abandoned before Stevens asked studio head Y. Frank Freeman who was available. Upon seeing a list of actors with current contracts, Stevens cast Alan Ladd, Van Heflin and Jean Arthur within 3 minutes.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the homesteaders arrive in town, Shane stands by out of the Grafton's store for a while. Then a woman approaches him from behind, right after a man. In the next shot the woman is replaced by a man.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Joey: Somebody's comin', Pa!
Joe Starrett: Well, let him come.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Tian xia di yi quan (1972)

Soundtrack:

I Ride an Old Paint (I'm A-Leavin' Cheyenne)

Simple peaceful lifestyles threatened by land grabbing ranchers and sinister gunslinger, saved by a weary reluctant gunslinger.

This western epitomises how a film should be made.

Classic scenery and outstanding performances from all. From the various cultures of the farmers bonding together through the harshness of farming life. Happy to raise families on land built and developed by their own hands. This is then threatened by the ranchers unwillingness to share the common land. Brutality and force is their tool, they try to force out the farmers (even resorting to hiring the gunslinger - Jack Wilson - Jack Palance). One farmer holds the other farmers together (Starett - Van Heflin), though even his resistance is weakening until a lone retired gunslinger rides in to save the day...

The sheer quality of characters and acting makes this film. The friendly (though not always) banter over Torrey's rebel background, the bond amongst the children, the affection shown in all families. The turning of Chris Calloway, the cold hearted nature of Ryker.

Finally the performances of the main characters. Van Heflin and Jean Arthur as the Starett's have a simple but loving relationship. Their son Joey loves his parents, but is greatly impressed by the mystery and skill of Shane (Alan Ladd).

Shane is reluctant to return to the way of the gun until Ryker hires a top gunslinger (Jack Palance). Palance is the perfect clinically precise cold hearted killer. Every aspect of his manner portrays cold efficiency (even to drinking water and mounting his horse).

There is simple humour added, for example when Shane is hit with an "Easy Chair".

Even the two dogs could act ! When Shane finally confronts Wilson the dog in the bar skulks with his tail between his legs.

The scenery and music were the icing on the cake.

This film will remain a benchmark for all western's to follow.