Between the Pages

This Western is loosely based on a real story.  Gregory Peck plays notorious gunslinger  Jimmy Ringo, who is tired of the life and has come to Cayenne in the hope of reuniting with his estranged wife, and the young son who has never known him.  However, Jimmy’s reputation has preceded him, and there are plenty of young men willing to risk a showdown with Jimmy in order to make a name for themselves.  The woman of the town object to him even being there at all and call upon the Marshal to remove Jimmy, and on top of all that, three vengeful cowboys from a town that Jimmy has just left are hot on his trail.

This film was more enjoyable than I had expected; the only reason I watched it was because Gregory Peck was in it, but I ended up enjoying the story.  Peck is perfect as the weary and cynical Jimmy, who isn’t allowed to forget his former life, as much as he would like to.  He’s gorgeous as always – even with his moustache!  Millard Mitchell was also great as the sympathetic Marshal Mark Street, who has known Jimmy for years.

The whole thing has a moody and somewhat sombre atmosphere, although there was a very amusing scene in the Marshal’s office, when the ladies in the town come down to demand that he removes Ringo.

Far more than a shoot-em-up Western, this is an intelligent and worthwhile examination of a man trying to change the direction of his life.

Year of release: 1950

Director: Henry King

Writers: William Bowers, William Sellers, Andre De Toth, Nunnally Johnson

Main cast: Gregory Peck, Helen Westcott, Millard Mitchell, Jean Parker