Gunfight in Abilene is a 1967 American Western film starring Bobby Darin in a non-singing role.[1][2] It is the second film based on the short story "Gun Shy" by Clarence Upson Young, the first being Showdown at Abilene (1956), starring Jock Mahoney in the role played by Darin in the remake.
| Gunfight in Abilene | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | William Hale |
| Screenplay by | John D.F. Black Bernie Giler |
| Story by | Clarence Upson Young |
| Produced by | Howard Christie |
| Starring | Bobby Darin Emily Banks Leslie Nielsen Don Galloway |
| Cinematography | Maury Gertsman |
| Edited by | Gene Palmer |
| Music by | Bobby Darin |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editDuring the Civil War, Cal Wayne accidentally kills a fellow Confederate soldier who was also a long-time friend. After the war, Wayne returns to his hometown of Abilene, Kansas where he discovers his sweetheart, Amy - who thought he was dead - about to marry cattle baron Grant Evers, the brother of the man Wayne killed. To try to assuage his guilt, Wayne refuses to try to win Amy back.
A feud is ongoing between local cattlemen and farmers. Evers takes it upon himself to exact harsh justice against anyone, with or without proof, who crosses him and his growing business.
Reluctantly, but at Evers' behest, Wayne replaces the corrupt sheriff, Joe Slade. Haunted by the fact that he killed Evers' brother, Wayne insists he will not wear a gun and wants everyone who comes into town to surrender their weapons.
However, as the situation between the farmers and the cattlemen intensifies and erupts, and Grant Evers is murdered, Wayne chooses to strap on a weapon and settle things for himself, and for Abiliene.
Cast
edit- Bobby Darin as Cal Wayne
- Emily Banks as Amy Martin
- Leslie Nielsen as Grant Evers
- Donnelly Rhodes as Joe Slade
- Don Galloway as Ward Kent
- Frank McGrath as Ned Martin
- Michael Sarrazin as Cord Decker
- Barbara Werle as Leann
- Johnny Seven as Loop
- Don Dubbins as Sprague
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Darin Stars in 'Gunfight in Abilene'". Schenectady Gazette. February 1, 1969. p. 24. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Gunfight in Abilene". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
External links
edit- Gunfight in Abilene at IMDb
- Gunfight in Abilene at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Gunfight in Abilene at the TCM Movie Database
- Gunfight in Abilene at Letterboxd
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