The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

James Warner Bellah (screenplay)
Willis Goldbeck (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 April 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

Together For The First Time - James Stewart - John Wayne - in the masterpiece of four-time Academy Award winner John Ford

Plot:

A senator, who became famous for killing a notorious outlaw, returns for the funeral of an old friend and tells the truth about his deed.

Plot Keywords:

Pilgrim | Gunslinger | Flashback Within Flashback | Flashback Sequence | Hero

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. May 20

10:00 PM

TCM

Cast

John Wayne	...	Tom Doniphon
James Stewart	...	Ransom Stoddard
Vera Miles	...	Hallie Stoddard
Lee Marvin	...	Liberty Valance
Edmond O'Brien	...	Dutton Peabody
Andy Devine	...	Marshal Link Appleyard
Ken Murray	...	Doc Willoughby
John Carradine	...	Maj. Cassius Starbuckle
Jeanette Nolan	...	Nora Ericson
John Qualen	...	Peter Ericson
Willis Bouchey	...	Jason Tully (conductor)
Carleton Young	...	Maxwell Scott
Woody Strode	...	Pompey
Denver Pyle	...	Amos Carruthers
Strother Martin	...	Floyd

Runtime:

123 min | Brazil:124 min | West Germany:113 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Sweden:15 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Spain:T | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | South Korea:12 | UK:U | USA:Unrated | West Germany:12 (w)

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

John Ford Productions

Trivia:

Director Trademark: [John Ford] [cards]Liberty Valance plays the Dead Man's Hand (Aces and Eights) before going out to duel Ransom Stoddard.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Stoddard is setting the paint cans on the fence posts, they make a tinny sound that clearly indicates they're empty. Yet when shot by Doniphon, they discharge a great amount of paint.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Ransom Stoddard: [descending from railway carriage and consulting pocket watch] Thanks, Jason. On time.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "SexTV: Legacy of the Cowboy/Blazing Saddles/Pony Play (#7.5)" (2004)

Great Cast of Veteran Actors

Greatly enjoyed this great Western film directed by John Ford who produced many great Classic films. John Wayne, (Tom Doniphon) plays the role of a man who is admired by all the homesteaders in a local town who stands up against Liberty Valance, (Lee Marvin) who is a hired gun by the cattlemen against the farmers and homesteaders. Ranson Stoddard, (James Stewart) visits this town as a man who is a lawyer and works as a dish washer in a restaurant owned by Swedish owners who sell steaks that are so large they almost fall off the plates they are served on. There is also a newspaper man named Dutton Peabody, (Edmond O'Brien) who takes an interest in Ranson Stoddard and allows him to share his office space with him. Ranson tries to teach the local people in the town to read and write and he begins to fall in love with Vera Miles, (Hallie Stoddard) who becomes his wife after he encounters a confrontation with Liberty Valance. Great film with Andy Devine, (Marshall Link) and John Carradine, (Major Cassius Starbuckle) who gave great supporting roles. Great Classic film, Enjoy.