The Gunfighter (1950): Exploring the Unfortunate Price of Infamy

Jimmy Ringo (Gregory Peck) is the fastest gun in the West. His notoriety precedes him. And at age 35, he is tired of running.

Running from unfounded accusations of murder, running from the young upstarts seeking to outdraw him and gain fame for themselves, running from the desolate life he has created.

When Ringo rides into Cayenne, his presence causes a stir amongst the anxious townspeople. But Ringo isn’t looking for trouble. After eight long years, all he wants is to reconcile with his wife, look into his son’s eyes for the first time, and retire his gun by settling down with his family in a new location.

But with three brothers seeking revenge and a cocky sharpshooter on his trail, the clock is ticking and Ringo’s future hangs in the balance.

The Gunfighter is unlike any other movie I’ve ever seen. Incredibly moving and effective without veering into preachy territory, it is a thoughtful and solemn portrait of a man living with the nightmarish repercussions of his decisions.

Gregory Peck as Ringo

“It’s a fine life, ain’t it? Just trying to stay alive. Not really living. Not enjoying anything. Not getting anywhere. Just trying to keep from getting killed.”

Jimmy Ringo

Gregory Peck strikes the right balance between world weary and fearsome in the title role, wisely utilizing his physicality to suggest the weight he bears on his burdened shoulders. As a man always looking over his shoulder unable to rest, Peck tenses his frame and clenches his hands to great effect. When challenged, a confident swagger cloaks his outward despair.

Most wonderfully, Peck imbues his character with humanity by giving Ringo an unexpected sense of humor. Glimmers of warmth and tenderness also peek through his toughened exterior in select scenes.

The Supporting Cast

The townspeople of Cayenne are brought to life by a terrific supporting cast: Millard Mitchell is a highlight as the diplomatic sheriff; Helen Westcott plays Ringo’s reticent wife with dignified reserve. Skip Homeier hits the right notes of defiance as the brash young sharpshooter. Karl Marlden makes one of his first credited screen appearances as an opportunistic barkeeper.

Some of the film’s lighter moments are provided by Ellen Corby and Verna Felton as flustered old biddies demanding Ringo get his dues.

The Cinematography

The camera work by three time Oscar winner Arthur Miller (How Green Was My Valley) is appropriately gloomy, reflecting the isolation of this social outcast and the claustrophobia of Cayenne while capturing the feeling of rising tension present in the script.

Trivia

• Gregory Peck named The Gunfighter as a favorite film from his filmography.

• At the time of production Peck threw himself into researching the period and decided Ringo should have a mustache. According to Wikipedia, when the film was not largely successful, 20th Century Fox blamed the mustachioed Peck for their losses.

• Veteran producer, director, actor, Roger Corman started his legendary career in films at Fox working in the mailroom and eventually became a story reader. Corman claims to have added story elements to The Gunfighter and because he was particularly fond of it, urged Fox to put the film into production. When his contributions went uncredited, Corman left the studio, deciding to pursue films independently.

Closing Thoughts

One of the first psychologically complex westerns of the 1950’s alongside Anthony Mann’s Winchester ’73, The Gunfighter explores deep and timeless themes in a sensitive manner. With an excellent Oscar nominated script, tight pacing, and the seamless direction of Henry King, I’d recommend this character drama even to non-fans of the western.

The Gunfighter is not to be missed.

This post is my contribution to The Corman-Verse Blogathon hosted by Realweedgiemidget Reviews and Cinematic Catharsis. Thanks for allowing me to participate! Click here for Day 1, here for Day 2, and here for Day 3 to indulge in the other entries.