The Westerner

US (1940): Western

Water Brennan snagged his third Academy Award^® for his role as tempestuous Judge Roy Bean ("The Only Law West Of The Pecos!"), in this lavish Sam Goldwyn Western adapted from a story by famed Wyatt Earp biographer Stuart N. Lake. Gary Cooper plays Cole Hardin, a wandering saddle tramp who concocts a yarn about his friendship with stage actress Lily Langtry in order to escape the noose on a false charge of horse-theft. When Bean's goons kill a homesteader who had been sheltering him, Hardin swears vengeance on Bean and comes looking for him at Fort Davis. William Wyler directs this Goldwyn/UA release. Supporting cast includes Doris Davenport, Forrest Tucker, Chill Wills, Lilian Bond (asl Lily Langtry) and Dana Andrews.

Brennan affected a neck dislocation for his part in The Westerner. The real life Bean, also known as "The Hanging Judge," was himself hanged and cut down, leaving him with this particular neck ailment. (amctv.com)

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for The Westerner on TCM.com.

3 nominations, 1 Award