The Man from Laramie (1955)

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

Philip Yordan (screenplay) &
Frank Burt (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

31 August 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Western

Tagline:

THE MAN You'll Never Forget!

Plot:

A stranger defies the local cattle baron and his sadistic son by working for one of his oldest rivals.

Plot Keywords:

Native American | Smoke Signal | Only Son | Oedipus Complex | Arms Trade

Cast

James Stewart	...	Will Lockhart
Arthur Kennedy	...	Vic Hansbro
Donald Crisp	...	Alec Waggoman
Cathy O'Donnell	...	Barbara Waggoman
Alex Nicol	...	Dave Waggoman
Aline MacMahon	...	Kate Canady
Wallace Ford	...	Charley O'Leary
Jack Elam	...	Chris Boldt
John War Eagle	...	Frank Darrah
James Millican	...	Tom Quigby
Gregg Barton	...	Fritz
Boyd Stockman	...	Spud Oxton
Frank DeKova	...	Padre
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jack Carry	...	Mule driver (uncredited)
Bill Catching	...	Mule driver (uncredited)
Frank Cordell	...	Mule driver (uncredited)
Frosty Royce	...	Mule driver (uncredited)
Eddy Waller	...	Dr. Selden (uncredited)

Directed by
Anthony Mann

Writing credits
Philip Yordan		(screenplay) &
Frank Burt		(screenplay)
Thomas T. Flynn		(Saturday Evening Post story)

Produced by
William Goetz	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
George Duning

Cinematography by
Charles Lang		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
William A. Lyon		(as William Lyon)

Art Direction by
Cary Odell

Set Decoration by
James Crowe

Makeup Department
Clay Campbell	....	makeup artist
Helen Hunt	....	hair stylist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William Holland	....	assistant director

Sound Department
George Cooper	....	sound
John P. Livadary	....	recording supervisor (as John Livadary)

Stunts
Bill Catching	....	stunts (uncredited)
Frank Cordell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Harry Froboess	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ted Mapes	....	stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Boyd Stockman	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jack N. Young	....	stunts (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Henri Jaffa	....	color consultant: Technicolor

Music Department
Arthur Morton	....	orchestrator
Morris Stoloff	....	conductor

Production Companies

• William Goetz Productions
• Columbia Pictures Corporation (presents)

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1955) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Film-Verleih (1955) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Columbia Films (1955) (France) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• Comet Video (????) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• People of the State of New Mexico, The  we wish to express our appreciation for the co-operation of, where this picture was filmed (as the people of the State of New Mexico)

Also Known As:

Mann aus Laramie, Der (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Hambre de venganza (Chile) [es]
Han kom fra Laramie (Denmark) [da]
Hombre de Laramie, El (Spain) [es]
Homem Que Veio de Longe, O (Portugal) [pt]
Homme de la plaine, L' (France) [fr]
Mannen från Laramie (Sweden) [sv]
Msciciel z Laramie (Poland) [pl]
Muukalainen Laramiesta (Finland) [fi]
Uomo di Laramie, L' (Italy) [it]

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | West Germany:12 (nf) | Hungary:14 | Norway:16 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | UK:U | USA:Approved (certificate #17217)

Filming Locations:

Bonanza Creek Ranch - 15 Bonanza Creek Lane, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Company:

William Goetz Productions

Goofs:

Plot holes: The doctor says that Alec is unconscious, if this is so, how does he know he is now blind ?

Quotes:

[first lines]
Will Lockhart: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa. We'll camp here for the night.
Charley O'Leary: We can go a coupla more miles 'fore sundown.
Will Lockhart: We'll camp here!
Charley O'Leary: You're the boss.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 100 Years of the Hollywood Western (1994) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Man From Laramie

A Spectacular Stereo Western Drama

This has got to be one of the best western plots ever filmed. Unlike so many others in the genre, "The Man From Laramie" has a complex and interesting conflict as its center. Many have compared it to "King Lear" and the main story line does resemble the subplot of Gloucester and his two sons. Whether the Shakespeare connection is intentional or not, it works extremely well.

Partly responsible for the film´s success are its stars: James Stewart is good as usual, while Arthur Kennedy, Donald Crisp and Aline McMahon really stand out in their characterizations. Anthony Mann´s directing is tight and uncompromising. The picture never lags once and there are many strongly dramatic moments, some even a bit shocking for 1955.

The film was photographed with artistry, and the DVD issue does it justice. Several scenes are beautifully balanced and dramatically expressive. There is a wonderful wide-screen, panoramic look that comes across quite well. The real surprise is the audio. This 1955 movie has a full-bodied stereo soundtrack! The musical score may not be one the all-time greats, but it is often very effective, and on this disc it fills the viewing space with excitement. Highly recommended, even to Western non-fans.