Don Siegel took over DEATH OF A GUNFIGHTER when shooting was half completed because of a conflict between director Robert Totten and star Richard Widmark.The latter plays Frank Patch, a sheriff who's protected the citizens of the Old West town of Cottonwood Springs for 20 years. But the... [More]

Don Siegel took over DEATH OF A GUNFIGHTER when shooting was half completed because of a conflict between director Robert Totten and star Richard Widmark.The latter plays Frank Patch, a sheriff who's protected the citizens of the Old West town of Cottonwood Springs for 20 years. But the "liberal" townsfolk seem to be tiring of his violent style, treating him as the relic of a bygone age. His mistress of many years, madam and saloon owner Claire Quintana (Lena Horne), and his son, Dan Joslin (Michael McGreevey), are his only supporters. In self-defense Patch shoots alcohol-sodden Luke Mills (Jimmy Lydon), and the town council demands his badge. When the owner of the local newspaper, Andrew Oxley (Kent Smith), insists on Patch's departure, the sheriff bluntly refuses, humiliating the man before his son, Will (Mercer Harris). The traumatized Oxley kills himself, and his son vows revenge. Lou Trinidad (John Saxon), an old friend of the sheriff's, comes to town in an attempt to persuade him to step down before the situation gets any uglier, but again, he refuses. This sour, improbable drama includes a good performance by veteran Widmark and is enlivened by the presence of host of Western character actors such as Royal Dano, Dub Taylor, and Harry Carey Jr. [Less]