"Gun the Man Down" is a rarely seen little 76 minute western starring James Arness, in his only starring theatrical western role. Produced by John Wayne's Batjac company and directed by Andrew V. McLaglan (his first), the film is a low budget black and white oater with good production values and a strong supporting cast.
Three bank robbers Rem Anderson (Arness), Matt Rankin (Robert J. Wilke) and Farley (Don Megowin) return from a bank robbery where a teller was shot by Rankin and Rem wounded. With a posse in hot pursuit, Rankin and Farley decide to leave the wounded Anderson behind and flee taking with them Anderson's girl Janice (Angie Dickenson in her first film).
Anderson is arrested and sent to prison. Fast forward one year and Anderson vows to track his former partners and girl down. He finds them in a dusty little one horse town where Rankin is running a saloon and has also taken up with Janice. He is met by town sheriff Morton (Emile Meyer) and his deputy Lee (Harry Carey Jr.).
Anderson confronts Farley on the street and the two have knock down drag out fight. Morton meanwhile, becomes concerned and sends for gunfighter Billy Deal (Michael Emmet). Janice goes to Rem to try to explain but to no avail. Rem takes care of Deal. Morton and Farley decide to run for it and Janice reluctantly joins them. Rem sees them leave and..................................
James Arness had been groomed by John Wayne having appeared in several of his films. When the opportunity came up for a TV series called "Gunsmoke", it was first offered to Wayne who recommended Arness for the role. Wayne even introduced Arness is the first episode and the rest as they say is history.
Angie Dickenson shines in her first film as the good/bad saloon girl. This role is not unlike the one she played opposite Wayne in "Rio Bravo" (1959). Emile Meyer, always a dependable character actor, is probably best remembered for his role as "Ryker" the chief baddie in "Shane" (1953). Harry Carey Jr. appeared in several Wayne westerns and was the son of Harry Carey on whom I believe the role of sheriff Morton was based.
Now was there ever a meaner looking bad guy than Bob Wilke. He appeared in dozens of westerns but is best remembered for the knife throwing scene in "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) with James Coburn.
For big Jim, it was on to twenty years of the Long Branch Saloon and Miss Kitty.
Three bank robbers Rem Anderson (Arness), Matt Rankin (Robert J. Wilke) and Farley (Don Megowin) return from a bank robbery where a teller was shot by Rankin and Rem wounded. With a posse in hot pursuit, Rankin and Farley decide to leave the wounded Anderson behind and flee taking with them Anderson's girl Janice (Angie Dickenson in her first film).
Anderson is arrested and sent to prison. Fast forward one year and Anderson vows to track his former partners and girl down. He finds them in a dusty little one horse town where Rankin is running a saloon and has also taken up with Janice. He is met by town sheriff Morton (Emile Meyer) and his deputy Lee (Harry Carey Jr.).
Anderson confronts Farley on the street and the two have knock down drag out fight. Morton meanwhile, becomes concerned and sends for gunfighter Billy Deal (Michael Emmet). Janice goes to Rem to try to explain but to no avail. Rem takes care of Deal. Morton and Farley decide to run for it and Janice reluctantly joins them. Rem sees them leave and..................................
James Arness had been groomed by John Wayne having appeared in several of his films. When the opportunity came up for a TV series called "Gunsmoke", it was first offered to Wayne who recommended Arness for the role. Wayne even introduced Arness is the first episode and the rest as they say is history.
Angie Dickenson shines in her first film as the good/bad saloon girl. This role is not unlike the one she played opposite Wayne in "Rio Bravo" (1959). Emile Meyer, always a dependable character actor, is probably best remembered for his role as "Ryker" the chief baddie in "Shane" (1953). Harry Carey Jr. appeared in several Wayne westerns and was the son of Harry Carey on whom I believe the role of sheriff Morton was based.
Now was there ever a meaner looking bad guy than Bob Wilke. He appeared in dozens of westerns but is best remembered for the knife throwing scene in "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) with James Coburn.
For big Jim, it was on to twenty years of the Long Branch Saloon and Miss Kitty.