At Gunpoint

At Gunpoint
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Alfred L. Werker
Written by	Daniel B. Ullman (story and screenplay)
Produced by	Vincent M. Fennelly
Starring	Fred MacMurray Dorothy Malone Walter Brennan
Cinematography	Ellsworth Fredericks
Edited by	Eda Warren
Music by	Carmen Dragon
Color process	Technicolor
Production company	Allied Artists Pictures
Distributed by	Allied Artists Pictures
Release date	December 25, 1955
Running time	81 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1 million^[1]

At Gunpoint is a 1955 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring Fred MacMurray, Dorothy Malone and Walter Brennan.^[2]

YouTube Encyclopedic

1/3
Views:
116 007
832 794
244 992

Transcription

Plot

In the Old West, brothers Alvin and Bob Dennis and their gang plan to rob the bank in Plainview, believing that it will be an easy job. During the ensuing robbery, the gang shoots a teller and kills the elderly marshal MacKay. Store owner Jack Wright grabs MacKay's gun and townsman George Henderson kills Alvin. The stolen money is recovered as the rest of the gang escapes.

The town is appreciative of Jack's and George’s heroism, especially banker Livingstone. The Amarillo newspaper publishes photos of the Plainview heroes, and Bob vows revenge. The gang returns to Plainview to kill George, who has been named the new town marshal. Jack realizes that he could be next.

A federal marshal arrives to monitor the town but leaves after an uneventful two weeks. Jack and his family notice that the town is shunning him and his business is declining.

A $2,500 reward for Alvin's capture is a pleasant surprise for Jack, but when Jack’s brother-in-law Wally is mistaken for Jack and murdered by Bob, no one is willing to help. In fact, he is offered more money by Livingstone and other frightened citizens if he will sell the store and leave town. Doc Lacy and the Wrights are ashamed of everyone's lack of support in Jack's hour of need.

Jack arms himself to face Bob and his gang. He is initially outmatched, but the men in town come to Jack's aid, demanding the gang's surrender. All of the men surrender except Bob, who is shot by Doc Lacy while approaching Jack. The townspeople offer apologies to the Wrights, all of whom are willing to forgive and forget, except Doc.

Cast

Fred MacMurray as Jack Wright
Dorothy Malone as Martha
Walter Brennan as Doc
Skip Homeier as Bob Dennis
Tommy Rettig as Billy
John Qualen as Livingstone
Whit Bissell as Clem Clark
Jack Lambert as Kirk

Reception

In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther lambasted At Gunpoint as a poor imitation of High Noon (1952):

"At Gunpoint" is another barefaced imitation of that memorable Western "High Noon,'' but it suffers severely by comparison—as well as in other ways. In the first place, Fred MacMurray is no Gary Cooper in the role of a mild-mannered local stalwart. As the hero who refuses to get out of town when threatened by vengeful bandits, but remains to shoot it out with them despite the fears of the townsfolk, Mr. MacMurray is pretty much of a dud. Likewise, Dorothy Malone is no Grace Kelly as the young wife who tries to encourage this singularly heroic fellow to run. Miss Malone gives the impression of practicing what they preach at charm school. And certainly the script of Daniel B. Ullman and the direction of Albert Werker cannot hold a candle to the ''High Noon" contributions in those departments of Carl Foreman and Fred Zinnemann. Mr. Ullman and Mr. Werker have contributed routine efforts, at best, to this film. "At Gunpoint'' is obvious and sluggish, even as average Westerns go.^[2]