The Gal Who Took the West is a 1949 American Western film directed by Frederick de Cordova starring Yvonne De Carlo, Charles Coburn, Scott Brady and John Russell.[1] It was nominated for an award by the Writers Guild of America 1950.[2]
| The Gal Who Took the West | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Film being shown in 1950 at a cinema in Amsterdam | |
| Directed by | Frederick de Cordova |
| Screenplay by | William Bowers Oscar Brodney |
| Story by | William Bowers Oscar Brodney |
| Produced by | Robert Arthur |
| Starring | Yvonne De Carlo Charles Coburn Scott Brady John Russell |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
| Edited by | Milton Carruth |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
| Color process | Technicolor |
Production company | Universal International Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editA journalist is writing an article on the O'Hara family of Arizona. They tell about the time in the 1890s when a girl, Lily, was caught in a feud between two O'Haras.
Cast
edit- Yvonne De Carlo as Lillian 'Lily' Marlowe
- Charles Coburn as Gen Michael O'Hara
- Scott Brady as Lee O'Hara
- John Russell as Grant O'Hara
- Myrna Dell as Nancy
- James Millican as Hawley
- Clem Bevans as Hawley (as old Timer)
- Robert R. Stephenson as Ted (as Bob Stevenson)
- Houseley Stevenson as Ted (as old Timer)
- Robin Short as Bartender
- Russell Simpson as Bartender (as old Timer)
- John Litel as Colonel Logan
- James Todd as Douglas Andrews
- Edward Earle as Mr. Nolan
Production
editThe film was originally known as The Western Story. It was the idea of William Bowers, about three interpretations of a single incident in the life of a Western pioneer; it would be told in flashback from an old person's home. Bowers says he got the idea from reading an article in Life magazine about old gunfighters who lived in an old person's home in Prescott Arizona. Bowers was under contract to Universal at the time for $750 a week, and says he wrote the script in four weeks. Bowers says Billy Wilder wanted to buy the script for $100,000 and Universal were interested, but Bowers persuaded the studio to make the film themselves.[3]
William Bowers and Robert Arthur were assigned to make it in December 1947.[4]
In April 1948, Deanna Durbin and Charles Coburn were announced for the lead roles.[5] Jerome Hines was signed for a support role.[6]
By November, Durbin had dropped out and Universal replaced her with Yvonne De Carlo.[7] (Bowers says Susan Hayward was going to star but Universal decided to use their contracted talent "and it went right out the window"[3]) Stephen McNally and Howard Duff were given support roles.[8] They dropped out and were replaced by Scott Brady and John Russell (the latter borrowed from 20th Century Fox).[9]
Filming started in February 1949. The film was retitled The Gal Who Took the West during editing.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ IMDb record for the 1950 awards
- ^ a b Froug, William (1991). The screenwriter looks at the screenwriter. Silman-James press. p. 37.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (December 13, 1947). "Bowers and Arthur Will Do 'The Western Story,' Novel Film on Pioneers, for U-I". New York Times. p. 12.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (April 13, 1948). "JOHNSON TO MAKE 'THE PURPLE MASK': Producer and U-1 Get Rights to Matheson Lang's Play -- Story of Napoleonic Era". p. 33.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (April 21, 1948). "20th to Seek Bergman; Valli Bid for Wine Epic". Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (November 27, 1948). "YVONNE DE CARLO GETS LEAD IN FILM: Takes Role in 'Western Story' in Place of Deanna Durbin -- De Cordova to Direct". New York Times. p. 11.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (December 2, 1948). "F M. PAC KARD SIGNS PACT AT COLUMBIA: Son-in-Law of J. Arthur Rank Will Be Studio Producer -Two Directors Named". New York Times. p. 39.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (January 21, 1949). "DE SYLVA WORKING ON MOVIE OF BARA: Discussing Deal With Columbia for Story on Actress' Life -- Hutton May Do Role". New York Times. p. 25.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (June 15, 1949). "VAN JOHNSON GETS METRO FILM LEAD: Named for Role in Taurog's 'Please Believe Me' -- Color Firm Splits Its Stock". p. 39.
