The Fastest Gun Alive (1956)

A respected shopkeeper (Glenn Ford) resides in a small town and lives a quiet life with his pregnant wife (Jeanne Crain). He doesn't wear a gun and he doesn't drink but he harbors a dark, complex past that the town doesn't know about. When his "secret" spills out, Hell comes to visit in the form of a slightly deranged gunslinger (Broderick Crawford). Based on a 1954 TV play by Frank D. Gilroy (THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES) and directed by Russell Crouse, who also wrote the tight screenplay with Gilroy. This is a fine and unusual western that's a winner all the way down the line. I loved the way the story shoots down (no pun intended) all our traditional expectations. Ford is excellent as the tortured shopkeeper and even Jeanne Crain rises to the occasion. The crisp B&W cinematography is by George F. Folsey (FORBIDDEN PLANET) and Andre Previn's intense score hits all the right notes. Others in the cast include Russ Tamblyn (there's even a dance number inserted to showcase him), Leif Erickson, John Dehner, Virginia Gregg and Rhys Williams.