High Noon
US (1952): Western
Written by Carl Foreman (who was later blacklisted during the anti-communist hearings of the '50s) and superbly directed by Fred Zinnemann, this 1952 classic stars Gary Cooper as just-married lawman Will Kane, who is about to retire as a small-town sheriff and begin a new life with his bride (Grace Kelly) when he learns that gunslinger Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald) is due to arrive at high noon to settle an old score. Kane seeks assistance from deputies and townsfolk, but soon realizes he'll have to stand alone in his showdown with Miller and his henchmen. Innovative for its time, the suspenseful story unfolds in approximate real time (from 10:40 a.m. to high noon in an 84-minute film), and many interpreted Foreman's drama as an allegorical reflection of apathy and passive acceptance of Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist campaign. Political underpinnings aside, this remains a milestone of its genre (often referred to as the first "adult" Western), and Cooper is flawless in his Oscar®:-winning role. Cast also includes Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney, Jr., Harry Morgan and Lee Van Cleef. (Amazon.com)
7 nominations, 4 Awards
· Best Actor 1952: Gary Cooper
· Best Film Editing 1952: Elmo Williams, Harry Gerstad
· Music Scoring Awards (Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) 1952: Dimitri Tiomkin
· Music Best Song 1952: "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin')" Dimitri Tiomkin - Music, Ned Washington - Lyrics
· Best Picture 1952: Stanley Kramer - Producer (Kramer, UA)
· Directing 1952: Fred Zinnemann
· Writing (Screenplay) 1952: Carl Foreman