CAST A LONG SHADOW

(director: Thomas Carr; screenwriters: novel by Wayne D. Overholser, story & screenplay by Martin Goldsmith & John McGreevy; cinematographer: William M. Cline; editor: ; music: Gerald Fried; cast: Audie Murphy (Matt Brown), Terry Moore (Janet Calvert), John Dehner (Chip Donohue), James Best (Sam Mullen), Rita Lynn (Hortensia), Ann Doring (Charlotte Calvert), Denver Pyle (Preacher Harrison), Joe Patridge (Ken Calvert), Mason Alan Dinehart (Dick Calvert); Runtime: 82; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Walter M. Mirisch; Prime Video/Mirisch company/TCM; 1959-B/W)

“There’s enough action in the climax to please Audie’s fanbase.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz


A routine, low-budget, B-film Western, shot in black and white. It’s directed by Thomas Carr (“Brick Bradford”/”Congo Bill”), and based on the story & screenplay by Martin Goldsmith & John McGreevy, and on the 1957 novel by Wayne D. Overholser.

The drunk saloon brawler, poker player and broke drifter Matt Brown (Audie Murphy) is informed in the town saloon by Chip Donohue (John Dehner), the foreman of the Jake Keenan ranch, that Jake died and left him his 87, 000 acre ranch, in Lobos, New Mexico, because he was his illegitimate son and he had no other kin. Jake treated Matt’s mom badly and never  recognized Matt when he was alive.

Matt reunites with his ex-girlfriend Janet Calvert (Terry Moore) and they soon wed, despite her scoundrel brothers (Joe Patridge & Mason Alan Dinehart) objecting as does her current boyfriend rancher Sam Mullen (James Best). Things are settled when Janet’s mom (Ann Doring) gives her blessings.

It turns out the ranch was in debt to the bank, and the bank is preparing to foreclose. To prevent the bank takeover, Matt must sell three thousand herd of cattle to a market in Santa Fe before the takeover in a few days. To get the cattle there in such a short time is a challenge. Also the drive is sabotaged with a stampede by the vengeful Sam Mullen and his pals.

There’s enough action in the climax to please Audie’s fanbase.

REVIEWED ON 2/22/2025  GRADE: B-
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