Star In The Dust (1956)

A man (Richard Boone) is scheduled to hang at sundown for the killing of three men. The three men killed were farmers and the farmers want to see justice done but the cattlemen feel the killings were justified and plan to prevent his execution. This minor "B" western never elevates itself beyond its second tier western status but it's actually very good. The screenplay by Oscar Brodney (HARVEY) from the novel by Lee Leighton contains interesting elements that makes it stand out from the pack and the director Charles F. Haas keeps the tension quotient high. Also quite unusual for a "B" western, there are three, count 'em three, strong female roles that move beyond the usually passive roles women play in westerns: Coleen Gray as the killer's woman, Randy Stuart (INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN) forced into helping an escape and Mamie Van Doren, torn between protecting her criminal brother (Leif Erickson) and her love for the sheriff (John Agar). The film has some inconsequential similarity to HIGH NOON and there's even an on camera singing balladeer (Terry Gilkyson) accompanying the narrative. Minor but worth checking out for western buffs. With Clint Eastwood, James Gleason, Harry Morgan and Paul Fix.