Showdown at Boot Hill (1958)

A deputy marshal kills a murderer in a town that loved him, and when no one is willing to identify him, he can't collect any reward.

Director:

Gene Fowler Jr.

Writer:

Louis Vittes

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Robert Hutton, John Carradine

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Luke Welsh - Deputy US Marshal
Robert Hutton	...	Sloane
John Carradine	...	Doc Weber
Carole Mathews	...	Jill Crane
Fintan Meyler	...	Sally Crane
Paul Maxey	...	Judge Wallen
Thomas Browne Henry	...	Con Maynor (as Thomas B. Henry)
William Stevens	...	Corky, 1st Cowhand
Martin Smith	...	Tex, 2nd Cowhand
Joe McGuinn	...	Mr. Creavy - Hotel Owner (as Joseph McGuinn)
George Douglas	...	Charles Maynor
Mike Mason	...	Les Patton (as Michael Mason)
George Pembroke	...	Sheriff Hinkle
Argentina Brunetti	...	Mrs. Bonaventura
Ed Wright	...	Brent, Liver Stable Man

Storyline

Bounty hunter Luke Welsh arrives looking for a wanted man. When that man draws on him he has to kill him. To collect his reward he needs a statement identifying him. But the man was well liked in town and no one will sign such a statement. When he outdraws another man who thought he was faster, some townsmen decide he should be killed and they organize a mob to go after him.

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Plot Keywords:

cowboy | colt .45 | six shooter | cowboys and outlaws | u.s. marshal | 

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shadow of Boot Hill

Company Credits

Production Co:

Regal Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Sept. 1958, 20th Century Fox distributed this film on a double bill with Harry Black and the Tiger starring Stewart Granger and Barbara Rush.

User Reviews

Had Potential

As with most films that "miss", it almost always comes down to a bad script...as it does here. The subject matter the movie tries to deal with is potentially interesting, and could have had some real emotional impact, but the slow, meandering pace and some goofy dialogue undermine what could have been a good psychological Western. It's really a shame because the directing is actually pretty good, the score feels just right, most of the actors hold their own, and the sets actually look remarkably authentic considering what an extremely low budget this movie clearly had.

Throughout the entire movie I kept thinking that it reminded me of another project, but couldn't put my finger on it...and then it dawned on me that the whole thing has the feel of a 1950s TV Western...it especially reminded me of the way the first season of "The Rifleman" was shot. Not sure if this movie was meant to be the second part of a drive-in movie double-bill, or (based on the quality and running time) if this might have actually been shot as a potential pilot for a TV series...Bronson looks fantastic here...he is young, fit, handsome, and would have made an excellent TV star had he been given the opportunity. This project might have passed as decent enough TV watching, but it misses the mark as a feature film, which is a shame considering its potential.

Not only did the film have potential, but you can see the potential Charles Bronson had if he'd chosen to become an actor instead of a silent-but-deadly action hero over the span of his career. His early work gave him some really good opportunities to emote, but I guess the other direction he went in paid a lot better. I suppose one can't argue with success, but it is interesting to think of what might have been.

"Showdown at Boot Hill" is certainly not worth paying money to rent or buy, but if it comes on cable, it is definitely a harmless enough way to spend an hour and change.