The Stranger Wore a Gun

When Travis arrives in Prescott, power lines are visible in the background.

The Stranger Wore a Gun is directed by Andre De Toth and adapted to screenplay by Kenneth Gamet from the story Yankee Gold written by John W. Cunningham.

I sometimes like to watch films that just don't work because it shows you why other films work so well. Ninety percent of a good film is due to casting.

'The Stranger Wore a Gun' did have a good deal of potential. The premise sounded interesting as was seeing how early 3D would fare.

In the first five minutes it is obvious that this film was made to be shown in 3-D. Objects are thrown directly at the camera to the point of distraction.

An ok western with a pretty good cast that's a little wasted (not in a Cheech N Chong way).I must confess I was a little tired and forgot it was in 3D, half way in I'm wondering why the actors keep looking right at me and throwing stuff in my direction lol.

The picture opens with the historically infamous attack on Lawrence, Kansas by Quantrill's Raiders in 1863, and the shadow of that event hangs over the character of Lieutenant Jeff Travis (Randolph Scott) for the remainder of the story. Travis was a Confederate spy who supplied Quantrill with information but became disillusioned with the wanton destruction and murder of innocent men and boys during the Lawrence massacre, finishing out the Civil war as a regular soldier.

There are quite a few surprises in this film. First of all, it keeps you guessing especially as regards Randolph Scott's character, whose motivation is difficult to discern.

I saw this movie in a naval base movie theatre, in, I think, 1956. It was the first thing I recall seeing Lee Marvin in.

The location shooting was done at Movie Flats off Route 395 near Lone Pine, California, and, along with a lot of faces in this film, will be familiar to experienced moviegoers. They've been making movies up there for years.