The Gunfighter

Dramatic B&W Western starring Gregory Peck in the titular role

Released in 1950, The Gunfighter stars Gregory Peck as a middle-aged quick-draw gunfighter who rides into a Southwestern town where his fame excites the populace and attracts young bucks wanting to make a name. Millard Mitchell plays the sheriff, an old friend, while Helen Westcott appears as his former babe. Karl Malden plays the bartender while Jean Parker is on hand as a saloon singer.

The movie starts great with a saloon confrontation and a chase in the desert wilderness. Too bad the B&W photography renders the awesome locations flat.

From there the story turns dramatic and its done well as we get to learn about the gunfighter through his conversations with ...

A moustachioed Gregory Peck is the renowned, but now reformed, gunslinger "Ringo" who rides into his hometown hoping to meet up with his old flame "Peggy" (Helen Westcott) and his young son - whom he has yet to actually meet! The locals are less than enthusiastic at his arrival - especially the prudish elder women, but then neither is "Peggy" nor the fair-minded sheriff (Milllard Mitchell). Indeed, once news of his arrival spreads he becomes a magnet for people keen to have a pop at this legend. The most irritating of them proves to be "Bromley" (Skip Homeier) and with tensions rising we wonder just how long "Ringo" can use his wits instead of his guns. Karl Malden is quite good as the barman who shares quite a bit of the accruing danger an...