The Far Country (1954)

A self-minded adventurer (Jeff Webster) locks horns with a crooked lawman (Mr. Gannon) while driving cattle to Dawson.

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writer:

Borden Chase (story and screenplay)

Stars:

James Stewart, Ruth Roman, Corinne Calvet

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Stewart	...	Jeff Webster
Ruth Roman	...	Ronda Castle
Corinne Calvet	...	Renee Vallon
Walter Brennan	...	Ben Tatum
John McIntire	...	Gannon
Jay C. Flippen	...	Rube
Harry Morgan	...	Ketchum (as Henry Morgan)
Steve Brodie	...	Ives
Connie Gilchrist	...	Hominy
Robert J. Wilke	...	Madden (as Robert Wilke)
Chubby Johnson	...	Dusty
Royal Dano	...	Luke
Jack Elam	...	Frank Newberry
Kathleen Freeman	...	Grits
Connie Van	...	Molasses

Storyline

In 1896, Jeff Webster sees the start of the Klondike gold rush as a golden opportunity to make a fortune in beef, and woe betide anyone standing in his way. He drives a cattle herd from Wyoming to Seattle, by ship to Skagway, and (after a delay caused by larcenous town boss Gannon) through the mountains to Dawson. There, he and his partner Ben Tatum get into the gold business themselves. Two lovely women fall for misanthropic Jeff, but he believes in every-man-for-himself, turning his back on growing lawlessness, until it finally strikes home.

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Plot Keywords:

firearm | reference to arizona | two gun holster | gun | holster | 

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Taglines:

From Alaska's First Violent Days of Gold-Rich Glory Comes the Story of THE STRANGER WITH A GUN!

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Genres:

Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 March 1955 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Je suis un aventurier

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,500,000, 31 December 1954

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Athabasca Glacier seen early on the start of the trip to Dawson is actually in Jasper National Park near Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. Global warming has caused a significant and visible retreat of the glacier since the year of filming. The glacier is retreating at the rate of about 16 feet per year.

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Goofs

At about 19 minutes in Gannon slides a gun along a bar counter, after the camera cuts the gun points the other way.

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Quotes

[Jeff accidentally drives his cattle through a crowd attending a hanging]
Skagway Sheriff Gannon: What's going on here? You there!
Jeff Webster: They got a little out of hand. I'm sorry!
Skagway Sheriff Gannon: You're sorry? You just busted up a function of the law, that's what you did. The people of Skagway don't like lawbreakers. They go to a lot trouble and expense to prove it! New gallows, new rope, thirteen steps all counted out right and proper, with each step costin' not less than twelve dollars per each and you drive a herd of cattle through the ...

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Crazy Credits

After "The End" a title card reads: We gratefully acknowledge the splendid cooperation extended to "The Far Country" cast and crew by all concerned at Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

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Connections

Referenced in The Lady and the Duke (2001)

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Soundtracks

PRETTY LITTLE PRIMROSE
(uncredited)
Music by Milton Rosen
Lyrics by Frederick Herbert
Performed by Connie Gilchrist, Kathleen Freeman and Connie Van

User Reviews

Cynical cowpoke strikes out for the high country

After losing his cattle herd to a dishonest lawman, a trail boss winds up in the Yukon gold fields with a bad reputation and small chances of being able to return to the states. While there his fortunes take a turn for the best until a bad luck specter from the past comes calling. Good western with many favorite old faces in the lineup.