Gunman's Walk (1958)

Widower Lee Hackett (Van Heflin), a cattle rancher who is a product of the old west, tries to bring up his two sons, Ed (Tab Hunter)and Davy (James Darren), in his image, but Ed is wild and... See full summary »

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

Frank S. Nugent (screenplay), Ric Hardman (story)

Stars:

Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, Kathryn Grant

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Van Heflin	...	Lee Hackett
Tab Hunter	...	Ed Hackett
Kathryn Grant	...	Clee Chouard
James Darren	...	Davy Hackett
Mickey Shaughnessy	...	Deputy Sheriff Will Motely
Robert F. Simon	...	Sheriff Harry Brill
Edward Platt	...	Purcell Avery
Ray Teal	...	Jensen Sieverts
Paul Birch	...	Bob Selkirk
Michael Granger	...	Curly
Will Wright	...	Judge

Storyline

Widower Lee Hackett (Van Heflin), a cattle rancher who is a product of the old west, tries to bring up his two sons, Ed (Tab Hunter)and Davy (James Darren), in his image, but Ed is wild and unruly. The two brothers are both attracted to Clee Chourard ('Kathryn Grant(I)' ) but she prefers Davy. Ed's efforts to outshine his father and brother and everyone else leads him into a career of a gunfighter, and a confrontation with his father.

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Plot Keywords:

son | father | brother | half breed | confrontation | 

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Taglines:

SIX-FEET-TWO OF MAD-DOG KILLER (original poster-all caps)

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Duell im Morgengrauen

Filming Locations:

Circle Z Ranch - 1476 Highway 82, Patagonia, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bert Convy's first film.

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Goofs

When Lee Hackett leaves town, chasing after his jailbreak son, Ed, he is riding a "right-maned" horse. When he catches up with Ed, he is on a "left-maned" (different) horse.

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Quotes

Deputy Sheriff Will Motely: You're still trying to live in the past, and your boy is trying to do the same!

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Soundtracks

"I'm A Runaway"
Music by Fred Karger
Lyrics by Richard Quine
Sung by Tab Hunter

User Reviews

Unique Socio-Psychological Western

I give this movie a 9 out of 10 for its earnest (yet not overdone) acting, sympathetic (yet not sappy) treatment of Indians, and exuberant (yet not overwhelming) energy level throughout. The relatively unknown actors and filmmakers really tried hard here. Aside from the family conflict, there is an intriguing treatment of the theme of historical change and how the Old West relates to the New - also seen in movies such as Bus Stop, The Misfits, and Lonely are the Brave.

Gunman's Walk is not perfect - things get 'explained' a bit too neatly at the Freudian conclusion, for example - but there is scarcely a dull or uninteresting moment. Don't miss the unique details in this film, such as the instant mood swings that the characters, especially the Father, go through, and the astonishing bar scene where the Big Brother cavorts with hookers and sings "I'm a Runaway."

This is a very unusual western and it comes highly recommended.