Shane
Release Date: 2nd October 1953 - Australia
Production Companies
Paramount Pictures
Genre: Western
Rating: G
Runtime: 118 minutes
Budget: $3,100,000
Box Office Gross: $20,000,000
(USA)
Plot Summary
Enigmatic gunslinger Shane rides into a small Wyoming town with hopes of quietly settling down as a farmhand. Taking a job on homesteader Joe Starrett's farm, Shane is drawn into a battle between the townsfolk and ruthless cattle baron Rufus Ryker. Shane's growing attraction to Starrett's wife, Marian, and his fondness for their son Joey, who idolizes Shane, force Shane to realize that he must thwart Ryker's plan.
Cast
Alan Ladd - Shane
Jean Arthur - Marian Starrett
Van Heflin - Joe Starrett
Brandon deWilde - Joey Starrett
Emile Meyer - Rufus Ryker
Jack Palance - Jack Wilson
Ben Johnson - Chris Calloway
Edgar Buchanan - Fred Lewis
Elisha Cook Jr. - Stonewall Torrey
Douglas Spencer - Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
John Dierkes - Morgan Ryker
Ellen Corby - Mrs. Liz Torrey
Paul McVey - Sam Grafton
John Miller - Will Atkey - Bartender
Edith Evanson - Mrs. Shipstead
Leonard Strong - Ernie Wright
Ray Spiker - Axel Johnson - Homesteader
Janice Carroll - Susan Lewis
Martin Mason - Ed Howells
Helen Brown - Martha Lewis
Nancy Kulp - Mrs. Howells
Crew
Producer/Director - George Stevens
Based on the Novel - Jack Schaefer
Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr.
Additional Dialogue - Jack Sher
Art Directors - Hal Pereria and Walter H. Tyler
Costumes - Edith Head
Director of Photography - Loyal Griggs
Film Editors - William Hornbeck and Tom McAdoo
Music Score - Victor Young
Awards
1953 Academy Awards
Best Cinematography, Color - Loyal Griggs (Won)
-----------------------
Best Picture - George Stevens (Nominated)
Best Supporting Actor - Brandon deWilde (Nominated)
Best Supporting Actor - Jack Palance (Nominated)
Best Director - George Stevens (Nominated)
Best Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr. (Nominated)
Review
One of the great classic film westerns of the 20th century, SHANE was the byproduct of old-fashioned Hollywood in the time of its old regime. Most importantly, it was certainly
influential to some movies in later years such as the non-western flick LOGAN (click here) as well as being referenced in numerous times on pop culture. The ending however is considered to be a moment of ambiguity where it could possibly rival each scene from other classic westerns, the likes of which don’t come off in the same note of closing as SHANE did. This was a commendable effort from all of the cast and crew including its director, the late George Stevens who worked around the clock to produce a film that definitely showcased the landscapes of the American frontier.
Alan Ladd gave a well-deserved performance as being the strong type of a lead protagonist that has shared the title of the movie. Jean Arthur in her last role as an actress was absolutely lovely to play the gorgeous Marian whom the lead character is immediately attracted to her.
I have nothing more to say about the other qualities that made SHANE great. I consider this film to be a great classic and one to be enjoyed by all ages. Even the modern viewers who were unfamiliar with this feature will definitely appreciate it, as their parents and grandparents have once seen the film and fondly remember it in their younger years.
Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie
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