Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

Lawman Wyatt Earp and outlaw Doc Holliday form an unlikely alliance which culminates in their participation in the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Director:

John Sturges

Writers:

Leon Uris (screenplay), George Scullin (suggested by an article by)

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Lancaster	...	Wyatt Earp
Kirk Douglas	...	Doc Holliday
Rhonda Fleming	...	Laura Denbow
Jo Van Fleet	...	Kate Fisher
John Ireland	...	Johnny Ringo
Lyle Bettger	...	Ike Clanton
Frank Faylen	...	Cotton Wilson
Earl Holliman	...	Charles Bassett
Ted de Corsia	...	Shanghai Pierce (as Ted De Corsia)
Dennis Hopper	...	Billy Clanton
Whit Bissell	...	John P. Clum
George Mathews	...	John Shanssey
John Hudson	...	Virgil Earp
DeForest Kelley	...	Morgan Earp
Martin Milner	...	James Earp

Storyline

After the long career of lawman that made him a legend, Wyatt Earp deciedes to quit and join his brothers in Tombstone, Arizona. There he would see them in feud with Clantons, local clan of thugs and cattle thieves. When the showdown becomes inevitable, the help will come from Doc Holliday, terminally-ill gambler who happens to be another Wild West legend.

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Plot Keywords:

gunfight | tombstone | cattle | showdown | gunfight at the o.k. corral | 

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 May 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hall Wallis' Production of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Filming Locations:

Agoura Ranch, Agoura, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Wallis-Hazen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Much of this film was shot at the famous "Old Tucson" facility, not far from the real Tombstone. However, its "town street" set was used surprisingly as Fort Griffin, Texas, in the opening reels, while later Tombstone street scenes were shot in southern California, on the same Paramount Ranch set that was later used as Virginia City, Nevada, on TV's Bonanza.

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Goofs

When Wyatt Earp rides in to town, dismounts and walks toward Cotton Wilson's office, his holstered gun is clearly outside his jacket on the right hand side. But when he enters the sheriff's office, just one step later, his gun is not visible.

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Quotes

Wyatt Earp: Hold up your right hand. Do you solemnly swear to uphold... oh, this is ridiculous. You're deputized. Grab some gear, I'll get the horses.
Dr. John 'Doc' Holliday: Wait a minute, don't I get to wear a tin star?
Wyatt Earp: Not on your life!

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Connections

Followed by Sunset (1988)

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Soundtracks

"Buffalo Gals"
(1844) (uncredited)
Music by William Cool White
Arranged by Jack Hayes

User Reviews

Nice Colors, Two Big Stars Best Features Of This Version

The stories and films about Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and the Clantons are always interesting, at least to me. They've been put on film a half dozen times over the years. I think the best feature of this particular version was the beautiful, muted colors. Now that it's out on DVD, I would like to see this on a nice widescreen transfer. My only looks (two of them) were on VHS. Story-wise, most of the others Earp films were more interesting than this one.

What makes the story worth seeing are two big stars playing main roles: Burt Lancaster as "Wyatt Earp" and Kirk Douglas as "Doc Holliday." What's different about the story is that, unlike all other versions, Earp and Holliday are not good friends throughout this movie, although they wind up as allies in the final shootout. Also, the arguments between Holliday and his girlfriend "Kate" (Jo Van Fleet) grow tiresome after awhile.

Overall, this doesn't have enough action to satisfy today's viewers, except for the shootout scene at the end, which goes on for at least 10 minutes.