Gun the Man Down (1956)

James Arness is Rem Anderson, who has dreams of settling down on a ranch with a pretty saloon gal named Janice (Angie Dickinson).

He and his partners make off with $40,000 in a bank robbery, but Rem catches a bullet in the bargain.

So he’s left behind while Matt Rankin and Ralph Farley ride off with the loot. And his girl.

She eventually pairs up with Rankin, who opens a saloon in the quiet little town of Gunther Wells, where Sheriff Morton (Emile Meyer) keeps the peace.

After he’s served his time in prison, Rem heads to Gunther Wells too, looking to get even and caring not one bit that Janice still loves him.

Rankin has an ace up his sleeve: a fast gun named Billy Deal, who will even turn on an old friend like Rem if the price is right.

James Arness as Rem Anderson, one the trail of partners who did him wrong in Gun the Man Down (1956)

Angie Dickinson as Janice, forced to leave a wounded Rem Anderson behind in Gun the Man Down (1956)

Review:

A decent B Western done with more vim and vigor than usual. And with an interesting back story to boot.

It was a starring vehicle for James Arness in his pre-Gunsmoke day. It marked the directorial debut of Andrew McLaglen, who’d go on to direct lots of small-screen and big-screen films with mixed results. In fact, his directing credits include more than 90 episodes of Gunsmoke.

The film was produced by John Wayne’s brother. And it’s said John Wayne recommended James Arness for the role of Matt Dillon because of his strong performance in this film.

The opening credits also read “introducing Angie Dickinson.” In truth, she’d already appeared in a number of films, including “Tension at Table Rock,” “Hidden Guns” and “The Return of Jack Slade.”

Among the fine touches here: Rem destroying his own self-image over what he’s become, and Emile Meyer, in the role of an aging sheriff trying to keep his young deputy (Harry Carey Jr.) out of harm’s way.

Robert J. Wilke as Matt Rankin, the man who leaves Rem Anderson behind, then stakes claim to his woma in Gun the Man Down (1956)

Don Megowan as Ralph Farley, one of the partners who betrays Rem Anderson in Gun the Man Down (1956)

Directed by:
Andrew McLaglen

Cast:
James Arness … Rem Anderson
Angie Dickinson … Janice
Robert J. Wilke … Matt Rankin
Emile Meyer … Sheriff Morton
Don Megowan … Ralph Farley
Michael Emmet … Billy Deal
Harry Carey Jr. … Deputy Lee
Gonzalez Gonzalez … Hotel man
George DeNormand … Doctor

Runtime: 74 min.

Emile Meyer as Sheriff Morton, happy to see an outside stand up to Matt Rankin in Gun the Man Down (1956)

Harry Carey Jr. as Lee, the deputy Sheriff Morton tries to keep out of harm’s way in Gun the Man Down (1956)

Memorable lines:

Sheriff Morton: “It’s just too blame hot in this country. Gettin’ hotter all the time … One of these days, so help me, Lee, I’m gonna ride north, up toward Montaner and that way. They say a man can freeze up there.”
Deputy Lee: “That sure would be nice.”

Billy Deal, to Matt Rankin, after taking $5,000 to kill Rem Anderson: “One thing, Rankin: Rem — you’d better see he’s buried real good. He’s a friend of mine.”

Janice to former lover Rem Anderson: “I’m every dirty thing you think I am, only worse. All right, so I ran out on you. You think you’re the first man I played for a sucker. I’ve rolled drunks in every cheap saloon in this territory. I’ve cheated and lied my way ever since I can remember. And there’s not one sin I haven’t done at least once. But I loved you. You’re the only clean thing that ever happened to me.”

Matt Rankin to Janice: “Your not all Sunday school and lace, but that’s not your fault.”

Michael Emmet as Billy Deal, a fast gun who will even take on Rem Anderson, if the price is right in Gun the Man Down (1956)

James Arness as Rem Anderson, watching his partners ride off to leave him to face a posse alone in Gun the Man Down (1956)