Synopsis:
When a marshal (Richard Widmark) kills a drunken civilian (Jimmy Lydon) in self-defense, the entire town decides to fire him from his job — but Widmark isn’t interested in leaving town.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Don Siegel Films
• John Saxon Films
• Lena Horne Films
• Richard Widmark Films
• Sheriffs and Marshals
• Westerns

Review:
This decent if uneven western is primarily notable for what it prompted: the creation of “Alan Smithee” as a pseudonym for a director whose actual director (or some other key player) doesn’t want to be associated with the film. In this case, Widmark didn’t get along with the original director, Robert Totten (who primarily worked in television), so Don Siegel was brought in to finish up the job — but he didn’t want to take credit for work mostly completed by someone else, so “Alan Smithee” (a creative variation on the too-simple first pass try of “Al Smith”) was the result.

(I find it interesting that this film is about attempting to fire someone perceived as incompetent in his job given what it became known for.)

Perhaps I was unduly biased, but as soon as I saw Smithee’s name flashing across the screen, I started noticing the film’s clunkiness; indeed, many wonder what this film could have been like with Siegel at the helm the entire way.

The storyline — hinging on an entire town feeling resentment for Widmark’s character, for no clear reason — doesn’t quite hold its weight; though Kent Smith, who film fanatics should fairly quickly recognize from Cat People (1942), plays the role of a desperately ashamed lawyer quite well.

The film is also notable for featuring Lena Horne in a supporting role as Widmark’s girlfriend, without any comment on her race.

Watch for Royal Dano hovering menacingly (what else?) around the periphery:

… and John Saxon as a county sheriff brought in to help mediate the situation.

Note: Subtle yet overt antisemitism is briefly shown through the treatment of the town’s “peddler,” Mr. Rosenbloom (David Opatoshu) — though it’s simply included without any explanation or resolution.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Richard Widmark as the Marshal
  
• Kent Smith as Andrew Oxley
  
• Fine Technicolor cinematography
  
  

Must See?
No, though it’s worth a look for curiosity’s sake (and of course Siegel completists will want to check it out).

Links:

• IMDb entry
• Time Out Capsule Review