1954 American Feature
Cast: Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, Scott Brady and Ward Bond
Director: Nicholas Ray
Writer: Ben Maddow (credited to Philip Yordan), based on the novel by Roy Chanslor
Fiery saloon owner Vienna, aided by ex-gunslinger Johnny Guitar, squares off against her archenemy Emma Small, a repressed rancher who wants to bring her down at any cost.
Links:
DVD/Blu-ray: Available
Soundtrack: Available
Trailer:
Notes/Trivia:
- Author Roy Chanslor dedicated his novel Johnny Guitar to Joan Crawford, who then purchased the film rights.
- During production of the movie, Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge reportedly had a bitter feud. Director Nicholas Ray (who was having an affair with Crawford at the time) felt it added greatly to the dramatic conflict between their two characters.
- Johnny Guitar was adapted into a stage musical, which debuted Off-Broadway in 2004.
- In 2008, Johnny Guitar was inducted into the National Film Registry.
Related Movies:
- Featured in the documentary The Celluloid Closet.
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