The Naked Spur (1953)

An embittered rancher turned bounty hunter (James Stewart) is tracking down a killer (Robert Ryan) but circumstances force him to take a rapist (Ralph Meeker) and a gold hungry misogynist (Millard Mitchell) as partners in the reward money. Directed by Anthony Mann (FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE), this tough and gritty western is a typical collaboration between Mann and star Stewart (they did eight films together, five of them westerns). It's a tight western with only five speaking roles (Janet Leigh as Ryan's girlfriend is the fifth character). Stewart, who I almost always prefer in dramatic parts as opposed to his comedies, is in fine form here. The often irritating mannerisms in his comedy work are gone and he fiercely embodies this angry victim of betrayal who's lost much of his humanity. William C. Mellor (A PLACE IN THE SUN) is responsible for the handsome Technicolor cinematography filmed in the Colorado mountains and the screenplay by Sam Rolfe and Harold Jack Bloom received a best screenplay Oscar nomination. The score by Bronislau Kaper unfortunately incorporates the song Beautiful Dreamer into the score proper and the strains are annoying and work against what's on the screen.