Hombre o revólver

Man or Gun is an interesting film, which is unusual as most 1950s B Westerns are definitely not very interesting, most being retreads of earlier, better films. However, in this film there is inventive camera work with interesting angles and crane shots, an intelligent plot, a good use of music, sound and silence, and decent acting. It is all the more the unusual as being well directed by a man whose career was comprised of 9 films all directed in a single 5 year period (1956-1961), Albert Gannaway. While not a great film, it is a good one.

The plot involves Fran Dare (Audrey Totter), a saloon owner, and her partner manipulating a fast drawing stranger (Macdonald Carey) with a gun that holds a growing superstitious significance to those around him. He is used to wrest control of the town from the Corleys and to extract some measure of revenge for Fran, whose father had been killed by the Corleys. The town's aged sherriff spends his time in his office, playing checkers, trying to avoid trouble, and swearing that since he had been in office there had been "no killings, only legal shootouts".

Both Audrey Totter and Macdonald Carey had long careers, both appearing in over 50 films and in various televisions series.

The film has more the feel of the great physcological westerns of the 1950s than your standard Randolph Scott oater.

The final 20 minutes of the movie include an inventive gunfight at a farmhouse and a well done climax.

A "quiet man" known as Maybe Smith rides into the desert town of Dutch Flat, and there's some surprises awaiting him. The desperadoes play it their special way. Macdonald Carey is the man to watch.

A familiar story... but this is a different type of western, playing more like a noir film. The camera angles, the strange little music background, make it all click . This also boasts an excellent cast for a low budget production, co-starring Audrey Totter as Fran and Warren Stevens as the bad guy who you can't get enough of. Old favorite James Gleason plays the sheriff.

The film also moves, and with some solid knockdowns. The fights are very well staged by director and producer Albert Gannaway, who mastered many other B westerns to his credit.

I do agree with the last few reviewers, this has a far different feel. It definately will draw you in. No doubt, an inspiration to many later contemporary westerns, certainly the mood is there for the asking.

James Craig plays Pinch and popular character actor Ken Lynch plays Buckstrom. Special thanks to GRIT Network for bringing this one back to life after many years. This could be on dvd in multiple western box sets.

I just saw this on cable, and knowing nothing about it before hand, I found myself slowly drawn into the story. I wanted to know what would happen to these characters, and what was really motivating them. I ended up really enjoying it.

All the leads play characters who are intense, and are flawed in various ways. Also, we never get a whole lot of background on the characters, just enough to intrigue me and keep me watching.

At times, I found myself comparing the directorial and writing style to some of the early Dragnet TV episodes from the 1950's. Being black and white, the lighting is subdued, almost flat. The shootings are quick and intense and almost matter of fact.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed it but suspect it is not for everyone.

I really enjoyed this movie it seemed to have a different flavor than most of the B westerns of that day. Pretty good acting and unusual plot. The only thing I can't understand is why did they call the gun a Colt Wesson 44. Did Colt and Wesson ever collaborate and make a .44 caliber hand gun? I've searched Google until my fingers are sore:-) I can find no references to a Colt Wesson .44. So I'm wondering why was there none made or was it such a rare gun that the complete Google catalog has no info on it? That didn't ruin the movie for me at all and then they mentioned a 7 shot revolver when Pinch was to be hired and the man (can't remember his name) but he was the partner in the saloon any way he said make sure and use a 7 shot pistol 1 more than the 44. I didn't know there were any 7 shot guns back then either. Anyone have any info on these 2 questions?

I did not find this western that strange, I prefered TERROR IN A TEXAS TOWN, for instance, also a weird western with a very unusual and surprising ending too. But yes, this western is above average compared to many other ones speaking of similar plot. Thanks probably to the directing, camera work, atmosphere. Madonald Carey is as bland as ever but good enough to keep your attention till the end. Concerning Audrey Totter, she doesn't seem to be that concerned in her role. To briefly summarize, this western is worth watching in the grade B category, because it has the quality of a good really B movie. I would not be surprised that this plot had inspired the late nineties series THE GUN, about a gun seeked by many people.