From 1959, comes Cast a Long Shadow, a Western starring Audie Murphy, Terry Moore, and John Dehner. Based on Wayne Overholser's novel of the same name, this film features James Best, Rita Lynn, and Denver Pyle in supporting roles.
Wealthy Jake Keenan has died, leaving his ranch to Matt Brown (Audie Murphy), an illegitimately-born young man, who has always believed that Keenan was his father. Having been gone from New Mexico a long time, and uninterested in the ranch of a man who treated his mother so badly, Matt jumps at the chance to sell his new inheritance to the very men who had worked it for years. He'll return only long enough to finalize the sale, then be on the road again.
Matt's return to the ranch brings former flame, Janet (Terry Moore), back into his life. Though they had been in love, Janet broke things off. Older now, she vows that she knows what she wants, and it's Matt. Because of Matt's "no name" status, though, Janet's brother declares that he's not good enough, which only serves to fill Matt with the desire to prove himself.
Before the sale can take place, Chip Donohue (John Dehner) discovers that the ranch is heavily in debt, and unless payment is made within days, the bank will foreclose. The only way to make payment is to get the cattle to market immediately.
Determined to prove himself to the town naysayers, Matt changes his mind about selling; instead, he'll run the ranch, and he'll lead the drive to market. More than that, he'll do it his way...with no input from anyone and a policy of zero tolerance for those who disobey him.
Though Janet insists that being a big man doesn't mean Matt has to throw away his good qualities or rule with an iron hand, Matt is determined to do things his way...even if he is killed in the process. How everything plays out is the balance of the film.
Though Cast a Long Shadow is not a spectacular film---nor one of my favorite Murphy Westerns---I still found it to be interesting and exciting. The action got underway immediately, and things never dragged. Unlike the majority (if not all) of Audie's Westerns, this one is not in color, but that only serves to give the feeling that it's an early 1950's film, rather than late '50's.
Out on DVD, this should be fairly easy to track down. For me, it's a 3-star, "like it" film---nothing outstanding, but definitely watchable.
Happy viewing!
NOTE: All photos used in this article were obtained from the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website (HERE)
