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A Man Alone (film)
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Wikipedia article
'A Man Alone' is a 1955 American Trucolor Western film directed by Ray Milland (credited as R. Milland) starring Ray Milland, Mary Murphy and Ward Bond. The story involves a man (Milland) who stumbles onto the aftermath of a stagecoach robbery in the Arizona desert in which there were no survivors."A Man Alone". 'Monthly Film Bulletin'; London Vol. 22, Iss. 252, (Jan 1, 1955): 154.
Plot
On foot after the mercy killing of his horse, Wes Steele finds a stagecoach and a number of dead passengers. He takes a horse and rides to Mesa.
A corrupt banker, Stanley, and partner Joiner discuss their stagecoach holdup with Clanton, their hired gun. Joiner, upset over the deaths, begins to leave, but Clanton shoots him in the back.
Stanley tells townspeople the stranger Steele is responsible for the robbery and murder. Steele hides in the cellar of a house. It turns out to belong to the sheriff, Gil Gorrigan, who has yellow fever. His daughter Nadine is caring for Gil and the home is quarantined.
Steele nurses the sheriff back to health after Nadine collapses from fatigue. A grateful Nadine says her dad worries about her but has left her well-provided for the future. She and Steele kiss.
He ventures outside, where he confronts and coldcocks Stanley, causing a lynch mob to form. Gil gives the wanted Steele a chance to escape. It turns out the sheriff has been on the take from Stanley, so now a noose is tossed around a tree for him. Steele returns to rescue him. He kills Clanton, and then Stanley is placed under arrest. Told he should leave this town, Steele decides to stick around.
Cast
* Ray Milland as Wes Steele
* Mary Murphy as Nadine Corrigan
* Ward Bond as Sheriff Gil Corrigan
* Raymond Burr as Stanley
* Arthur Space as Doctor Mason
* Lee Van Cleef as Clanton
* Alan Hale as Acting Sheriff Jim Anderson
* Douglas Spencer as Henry Slocum
* Thomas B. Henry as Maybanks
* Grandon Rhodes as Luke Joiner
* Martin Garralaga as Ortega
* Kim Spalding as Sam Hall
* Howard J. Negley as Wilson
Production
In August 1954 it was announced Milland would star in and direct a Western, 'The Gunman' for Republic.Looking at Hollywood: 'Little Caesar' and 'Scarface' to Play in Gang Town Movie
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune7 Aug 1954: 16. It was based on an original script by John Tucker Battle and Talbot Jennings.Milland is Named to Direct a Movie: Actor Also Will Star in 'The Gunman,' Big-Scale Western Planned by Republic
Special to The New York Times. 7 Aug 1954: 7. Milland directed episodes of his 195355 sitcom 'Meet Mr. McNutley/The Ray Milland Show' to prepare. He was on a percentage of the profits.Louella Parsons: Ray Milland Shines Six-Shooter
The Washington Post and Times-Herald 21 Jan 1955: 40.
Filming started March 1955.Ray Milland Preparing 'Gunman' Film Los Angeles Times 12 Jan 1955: B7. Parts of the film were shot in the sand dunes outside St. George, Utah. In April the unit returned to Los Angeles.'Mystery Man' Readied for Milland; Sombrero Show May Arrive Here; Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 2 Apr 1955: 15.
Reception
After 'A Man Alone' Yates hired Milland to direct one film a year for four years.Drama: Milland Will Direct, Costar With Maureen, 'Los Angeles Times' 27 Oct 1955: A6.
See also
* List of American films of 1955
References
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