The Gunfight at Dodge City (1959)

After his brother the sheriff is murdered, Bat Masterson is elected to the job and is determined to find the killer and make Dodge City safe.

Director:

Joseph M. Newman

Writers:

Daniel B. Ullman (screenplay), Martin Goldsmith (screenplay) (as Martin M. Goldsmith)

Stars:

Joel McCrea, Julie Adams, John McIntire

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joel McCrea	...	Bat Masterson
Julie Adams	...	Pauline Howard
John McIntire	...	Doc Sam Tremaine
Nancy Gates	...	Lily, Lady Gay Saloon Owner
Richard Anderson	...	Dave Rudabaugh
James Westerfield	...	Rev. Howard
Walter Coy	...	Ben Townsend
Don Haggerty	...	Sheriff Jim Regan, Dodge City
Wright King	...	Billy Townsend
Harry Lauter	...	City Marshal Ed Masterson

Storyline

Bat Masterson doesn't look for trouble, but he doesn't walk away from it. When an army sergeant in Hays City tries to kill Bat and dies for his trouble, Bat heads for Dodge City where Ed, his brother, is city marshal and a candidate for county sheriff running against the corrupt Regan. Bat buys a share in a local saloon, partnering with the widow Lily. Then, after an ambush, Bat finds himself a candidate for sheriff and the heir to Ed's intentions toward Pauline, a minister's daughter. Can the upright but not always law-abiding gunslinger and saloon owner become a lawman and settle down? Or will trouble keep finding him?

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Plot Keywords:

bat masterson character | dodge city kansas | 

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Taglines:

THE GUN-DOWN THAT CRACKED THE WEST WIDE OPEN! (original ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The opening gunfight takes place in a different (and real) Kansas town, Hays City. The climactic gunfight takes place in Dodge City and is strikingly similar to the opening in Gunsmoke.

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Goofs

What happened to poor Molly when she was killed in the beginning? No one went to her as she lay on the floor dead after she was shot.

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Quotes

Doc Sam Tremaine: They say you deal blackjack with three fingers... thumb, index, and trigger.

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Connections

Referenced in The Exiles (1961)

User Reviews

No cane and derby hat here.

Absent from this film are Wyatt Earp, Masterson's close friend and colleague in Dodge City, and Masterson's dapper clothing, a lifelong trademark, two major flaws in the film. His avoidance of public office doesn't ring true, either. The plot itself takes considerable liberties with the truth. (The television series "Bat Masterson" was closer to the truth in spirit and sometimes in fact.)

However, McCrea's intelligent and introspective portrayal of Masterson is on the mark. The acting of him and the rest of the cast carry the film, which is saddled with uninspired direction.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Bat Masterson Story

Filming Locations:

Melody Ranch - 24715 Oak Creek Avenue, Newhall, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Mirisch Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1