Here’s a couple excellent pictures I’ve been reminded of over the last couple days.
First, I finished James Best’s book Best In Hollywood, which I really enjoyed. He dedicates a chapter to Paul Newman, covering their time working on The Left-Handed Gun (1958). (His story about being hung in Ride Lonesome is great, too.)
Laura from Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings brought up one she really likes — A Man Alone (1955), starring and directed by Ray Milland. It’s a very unusual Western, with a great part for Ward Bond — which he’s great in. It’s on Encore Westerns this weekend, I think. An obscure film that shouldn’t be obscure.
I’m also a big fan of the one-sheets for these films. In the 50s, Warner Bros.’ art department sure had a way with type. The left-justified type — Left-Handed Gun, get it? — is a cool touch. And for A Man Alone, Republic showed a level of restraint that gives the film a distinguished (their word) feel. I really love that painting — wonder who did it, and where it is.
I was delighted to discover your post and am so glad you called attention to one of my favorite Westerns, A MAN ALONE. I’m happy to know you appreciate it as well! It really deserves a wider audience.
At the risk of tooting my own horn, if your readers would like to learn a little more about the film, I wrote a post on it last fall:
http://laurasmiscmusings.blogspot.com/2009/10/tonights-movie-man-alone-1955.html
I love that one-sheet too!!
Best wishes,
Laura
Thanks for attaching the link to your post on A Man Alone. I haven’t seen it in a while and was uncomfortable writing too much about it. Now I’m really dying to see it again.