At Gunpoint

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At Gunpoint
At Gunpoint film poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Alfred L. Werker
Written by Daniel B. Ullman (story and screenplay)
Produced by Vincent M. Fennelly
Starring Fred MacMurray
Dorothy Malone
Walter Brennan
Cinematography Ellsworth Fredericks
Edited by Eda Warren
Music by Carmen Dragon
Color process Technicolor
Production
company
Distributed byAllied Artists Pictures
Release date
  • December 25, 1955 (1955-12-25)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1 million [1]

At Gunpoint is a 1955 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring Fred MacMurray, Dorothy Malone and Walter Brennan. [2]

Contents

Plot

In the Old West, brothers Alvin and Bob Dennis and their gang plan to rob the bank in Plainview, believing that it will be an easy job. During the ensuing robbery, the gang shoots a teller and kills the elderly marshal MacKay. Store owner Jack Wright grabs MacKay's gun and townsman George Henderson kills Alvin. The stolen money is recovered as the rest of the gang escapes.

The town is appreciative of Jack's and George’s heroism, especially banker Livingstone. The Amarillo newspaper publishes photos of the Plainview heroes, and Bob vows revenge. The gang returns to Plainview to kill George, who has been named the new town marshal. Jack realizes that he could be next.

A federal marshal arrives to monitor the town but leaves after an uneventful two weeks. Jack and his family notice that the town is shunning him and his business is declining.

A $2,500 reward for Alvin's capture is a pleasant surprise for Jack, but when Jack’s brother-in-law Wally is mistaken for Jack and murdered by Bob, no one is willing to help. In fact, he is offered more money by Livingstone and other frightened citizens if he will sell the store and leave town. Doc Lacy and the Wrights are ashamed of everyone's lack of support in Jack's hour of need.

Jack arms himself to face Bob and his gang. He is initially outmatched, but the men in town come to Jack's aid, demanding the gang's surrender. All of the men surrender except Bob, who is shot by Doc Lacy while approaching Jack. The townspeople offer apologies to the Wrights, all of whom are willing to forgive and forget, except Doc.

Cast

Reception

In a contemporary review for The New York Times , critic Bosley Crowther lambasted At Gunpoint as a poor imitation of High Noon (1952):

"At Gunpoint" is another barefaced imitation of that memorable Western "High Noon,'' but it suffers severely by comparison—as well as in other ways. In the first place, Fred MacMurray is no Gary Cooper in the role of a mild-mannered local stalwart. As the hero who refuses to get out of town when threatened by vengeful bandits, but remains to shoot it out with them despite the fears of the townsfolk, Mr. MacMurray is pretty much of a dud. Likewise, Dorothy Malone is no Grace Kelly as the young wife who tries to encourage this singularly heroic fellow to run. Miss Malone gives the impression of practicing what they preach at charm school. And certainly the script of Daniel B. Ullman and the direction of Albert Werker cannot hold a candle to the ''High Noon" contributions in those departments of Carl Foreman and Fred Zinnemann. Mr. Ullman and Mr. Werker have contributed routine efforts, at best, to this film. "At Gunpoint'' is obvious and sluggish, even as average Westerns go. [2]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ 'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1956', Variety Weekly, January 2, 1957
  2. 1 2 At Gunpoint at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
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