Run for Cover (1955)

Mistaken for train robbers, Matt Dow and Davey Bishop are shot at by the sheriff and his posse but they are cleared and hired as lawmen.

Director:

Nicholas Ray

Writers:

Winston Miller (screenplay), Harriet Frank Jr. (story)

Stars:

James Cagney, Viveca Lindfors, John Derek

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Cagney	...	Matt Dow
Viveca Lindfors	...	Helga Swenson
John Derek	...	Davey Bishop
Jean Hersholt	...	Mr. Swenson
Grant Withers	...	Gentry
Jack Lambert	...	Larsen
Ernest Borgnine	...	Morgan
Ray Teal	...	Sheriff
Irving Bacon	...	Scotty
Trevor Bardette	...	Paulsen
John Miljan	...	Mayor Walsh
Gus Schilling	...	Doc Ridgeway

Storyline

Odd little Western that gets off to a snappy start when a man (Matt Dow) is mistaken as a train robber. After the town's sheriff shoots the kid he's riding with, Dow clears his name and ends up as the new sheriff. He romances a Swedish woman and settles in to a peaceful life only to find that the boy has a few secrets of his own.

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Plot Keywords:

older cowboy younger cowboy relationship | secret past | dark past | shot to death | bank robbery | 

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Taglines:

The story of a man apart... who brought faith to a youth, love to a woman, justice to a land!

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Colorado

Filming Locations:

Bloomfield, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,500,000, 31 December 1955

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pine-Thomas Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of Jean Hersholt.

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Goofs

In the soundtrack in Spanish --in Spain distribution, at least-- the Swensons are throughout referred to as Swiss people, and their country of origin as Switzerland.

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Quotes

Matt Dow: That's right, I was a jailbird. Six years in a stinkin' cell because I happened to look like another man. Six years out of my life, because men made up their minds too fast - men like you, so righteous, so willing to condemn.

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Connections

Referenced in Llegar a más (1963)

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Soundtracks

Run for Cover
Music by Howard Jackson
Lyric by Jack Brooks

User Reviews

Run for Cover

Not a terribly deep western, but a satisfying one that makes some decent social commentary. Unfortunately, this is a VistaVision film, but the copy I saw was in Academy ratio. So I can't comment too much on the cinematography... I'll just say I didn't see anything there that hinted at greatness. I'm not the world's biggest Cagney fan, however I liked his performance here as a man of upstanding integrity. This might also be the film's biggest weakness, the protagonist is a little too perfect. But he's a hero that's enjoyable to watch interact with those around him, especially those of lesser character. The supporting roles by John Derek and Viveca Lindfors are unremarkable but solid. The movie keeps things moving at a steady pace, maybe too steady but quite watchable. There are a couple of interesting surprises as well. There are certainly better westerns out there, but you could do a whole lot worse.