The Man from Laramie (1955)

A stranger, Will Lockhart, defies the local cattle baron and his sadistic son by working for one of his oldest rivals.

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

Philip Yordan (screenplay), Frank Burt (screenplay)

Stars:

James Stewart, Arthur Kennedy, Donald Crisp

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Stewart	...	Will Lockhart
Arthur Kennedy	...	Vic Hansbro
Donald Crisp	...	Alec Waggoman
Cathy O'Donnell	...	Barbara Waggoman
Alex Nicol	...	Dave Waggoman
Aline MacMahon	...	Kate Canaday
Wallace Ford	...	Charley O'Leary
Jack Elam	...	Chris Boldt
John War Eagle	...	Frank Darrah
James Millican	...	Tom Quigby
Gregg Barton	...	Fritz
Boyd Stockman	...	Spud Oxton
Frank DeKova	...	Padre

Storyline

Mysterious Will Lockhart delivers supplies to storekeeper Barbara Waggoman at Coronado, an isolated town in Apache country. Before long, he's tangled with Dave Waggoman, vicious son of autocratic rancher Alec and cousin of sweet Barbara. But he sticks around town, his presence a catalyst for changes in people's lives, searching for someone he doesn't know...who's been selling rifles to the Apaches.

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Plot Keywords:

native american | repeating rifle | ranch | sheriff | action hero | 

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Taglines:

THE MAN You'll Never Forget!

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 August 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'homme de la plaine

Filming Locations:

Window Rock, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,300,000, 31 December 1955

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation,William Goetz Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film has been described as a western version of King Lear.

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Goofs

There is no reason why Vic would have remained on the ranch, as Alec had made clear he would not inherit anything.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Will Lockhart: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa. We'll camp here for the night.
Charley O'Leary: We can go a coupla more miles 'fore sundown.
Will Lockhart: We'll camp here!
Charley O'Leary: You're the boss.

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Connections

Featured in Great Performances: James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987)

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Soundtracks

The Man From Laramie
By Lester Lee - Ned Washington
Sung by a chorus behind the credits

User Reviews

Another great James Stewart western

James Stewart rides the vengeance trail as he comes to a dusty New Mexico town in search of a gun runner whose wares were used by raiding Indians that led to his brother's death. Stewart is grim and determined in this beautifully filmed western to square matters with his unknown quarry and meets with hostility and indifference at every turn. The film has touches of extreme violence which was unusual for its time. The story is packed with suspense and tension as Stewart's Will Lockhart seeks his personal retribution. Along the way, Lockhart is befriended by a pretty girl and a strong-willed female rancher who are sympathetic to Lockhart's quest. Another sub plot has a cattle baron, his neurotic son, and a ranch foreman riding rough-shod over other ranchers and townspeople. Arthur Kennedy and Donald Crisp head a great cast of veteran western character actors, and a nod goes to Aline MacMahon for her portrayal of the plucky ranch woman.