“Winchester ’73” (1950) starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters & Dan Duryea / Z-View

Winchester ’73 (1950)

Director: Anthony Mann

Screenplay: Borden Chase, Robert L. Richards story by Stuart N. Lake

Stars: James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally, Millard Mitchell, Charles Drake, John McIntire, Will Geer, Jay C. Flippen, Rock Hudson, John Alexander, Steve Brodie, Abner Biberman, Tony Curtis and James Best.

Tagline:  The Gun That Won The West!

The Plot…

Lin McAdam (Stewart) and Dutch Henry Brown (McNally) are sworn enemies.  Each would kill the other on sight.  When Lin and his buddy, High Spade Frankie Wilson (Mitchell) ride into Dodge City, they learn two things: 1) Dutch Henry is there and 2) the town is holding a shooting contest for a Winchester 1873 repeating rifle.

The only thing that stops Lin and Dutch Henry from shooting it out is the town’s Marshall, Wyatt Earp (Geer).  The shooting contest comes down to Lin and Dutch Henry.  After several shoot-offs, Lin wins the rifle.  It’s a beauty.  Lin turns down cash offers to buy it.  When Lin takes the rifle to his room, he is jumped by Dutch and two of his buddies.  The only thing that stops Dutch from killing Lin is Wyatt Earp and High Spade come running.

Dutch and his crew make their getaway with Lin and High Spade on their trail. Before the final showdown there will be card sharks, saloon girls, Indian attacks, run-ins with a gunfighter, a stagecoach robbery and a reveal of why Lin and Dutch are mortal enemies.

Saddle up.  This is a good one!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Jimmy Stewart’s agent worked out a deal for Stewart to make Harvey and Winchester ’73 for a percentage of the profits (50%) on both films rather than his normal $200,000 salary.  Stewart ended up making a reported $600,000 for Winchester ’73 because it was so successful.  This deal was the first time since sound pictures that a star was given points as part of his/her salary.

Will (Grandpa Walton) Geer seems a bit old to be playing Wyatt Earp. Geer himself felt he was miscast.  What makes the part work is the respect Stewart and Mitchell’s characters give Earp.

Dan Duryea, pardon the expression, kills it as Waco Johnny Dean.

Winchester ’73 was a comeback film of sorts for Jimmy Stewart.

It’s interesting to note that the rifle becomes the real star of the film.  We follow it as it changes hands in many exciting scenes all in support of Lin McAdams’ journey to get revenge.

Winchester ’73 (1950) rates 4 of 5 stars.