A Man Alone (film)

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.[1]

A Man Alone
Film poster
Directed byR. Milland
Produced byno credit
(Herbert J. Yates presents)
Screenplay byJohn Tucker Battle
Story byMort Briskin
StarringRay Milland
Mary Murphy
Ward Bond
Music byVictor Young
CinematographyLionel Lindon, A.S.C.
Edited byRichard L. Van Enger, A.C.E.
Production
company
A Republic Production
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release date
  • October 17, 1955 (1955-10-17) (Los Angeles, California)
  • October 28, 1955 (1955-10-28) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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
Uncredited (in order of appearance)
Julian RiveroTio Rubio
Lee RobertsHiggs
Richard HaleJudge Wortham
Frank HagneyDorfman
Minerva UrecalMrs. Maule
Bob ReevesTownsman

Production

In August 1954 it was announced Milland would star in and direct a Western, The Gunman for Republic.[2] It was based on an original script by John Tucker Battle and Talbot Jennings.[3] Milland directed episodes of his 1953–55 sitcom Meet Mr. McNutley/The Ray Milland Show to prepare. He was on a percentage of the profits.[4]

Filming started March 1955.[5] Parts of the film were shot in the sand dunes outside St. George, Utah.[6] In April the unit returned to Los Angeles.[7]

Reception

After A Man Alone Yates hired Milland to direct one film a year for four years.[8]

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See also

References
  1. MAN ALONE, A Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 22, Iss. 252, (Jan 1, 1955): 154.
  2. Looking at Hollywood: 'Little Caesar' and 'Scarface' to Play in Gang Town Movie Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune7 Aug 1954: 16.
  3. 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.
  4. Louella Parsons: Ray Milland Shines Six-Shooter The Washington Post and Times Herald]21 Jan 1955: 40.
  5. Ray Milland Preparing 'Gunman' Film Los Angeles Times 12 Jan 1955: B7.
  6. D'Arc, James V. (2010). When Hollywood came to town: a history of moviemaking in Utah (1st ed.). Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423605874.
  7. 'Mystery Man' Readied for Milland; Sombrero Show May Arrive Here Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 2 Apr 1955: 15.
  8. Drama: Milland Will Direct, Costar With Maureen Los Angeles Times 27 Oct 1955: A6.
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