- Death of a Gunfighter
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Death of a Gunfighter 
Theatrical release posterDirected by Don Siegel
Robert Totten
both credited as:
Alan SmitheeProduced by Richard E. Lyons Written by Lewis B. Patten
Joseph CalvelliStarring Richard Widmark
Lena Horne
Carroll O'ConnorMusic by Oliver Nelson Cinematography Andrew Jackson Editing by Robert F. Shugrue Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date(s) April, 1969 Running time 100 minutes Country United States Language English Death of a Gunfighter is a 1969 Western film. It is most notable for the first use of the pseudonymous Allen Smithee directorial credit. It stars Richard Widmark and Lena Horne, and features an original score by Oliver Nelson. The film develops its story around the "passing" of the West, the clash between a traditional character and the politics and demands of modern society.
The film began under the direction of Robert Totten, an experienced television director (Gunsmoke, The Legend of Jesse James). After clashes with star Widmark, and almost a year of work, he was dropped and replaced by Don Siegel. When the film was finished Siegel did not want his name to replace Totten's. Widmark protested and an agreement was made with the Directors Guild of America for the pseudonym Alan Smithee to be used.
Despite this, critics praised the film and its "new" director, with The New York Times commenting that the film was "sharply directed by Allen Smithee who has an adroit facility for scanning faces and extracting sharp background detail,"[1] and Roger Ebert commenting, "Director Allen Smithee, a name I'm not familiar with, allows his story to unfold naturally."[2]
Plot
In the town of Cottonwood Springs, Texas at the turn of the century, Marshal Frank Patch is an Old West style lawman in a community determined to be modern. When Patch kills drunken Luke Mills in self-defense, the town decides it is time for the marshal to resign. But Patch refuses, reminding the citizens that when he took the job, the agreement was he could have it as long as he wanted. The city fathers then decide the only way to remove Patch from office is by violence.
References
- ^ Thompson, Howard (May 10 1969). "Screen: Tough Western: 'Death of a Gunfighter' Stars Widmark" New York Times [1]
- ^ Roger Ebert's review of Death of a Gunfighter
External links
Films directed by Don Siegel 1940s 1950s The Duel at Silver Creek (1952) • No Time for Flowers (1952) • Count the Hours (1953) • China Venture (1953) • Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954) • Private Hell 36 (1954) • The Blue and Gold (1955) • Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) • Crime in the Streets (1956) • Spanish Affair (1957) • Baby Face Nelson (1957) • The Lineup (1958) • The Gun Runners (1958) • Edge of Eternity (1959) • Hound-Dog Man (1959)1960s Flaming Star (1960) • Hell Is for Heroes (1962) • The Killers (1964) • The Hanged Man (1964) • Madigan (1968) • Coogan's Bluff (1968) • Death of a Gunfighter (1969)1970s Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) • The Beguiled (1971) • Dirty Harry (1971) • Charley Varrick (1973) • The Black Windmill (1974) • The Shootist (1976) • Telefon (1977) • Escape from Alcatraz (1979)1980s Rough Cut (1980) • Jinxed! (1982)Categories:- 1969 films
- American films
- English-language films
- Films directed by Alan Smithee
- 1960s Western films
- Western film stubs
- Films directed by Don Siegel
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