HIGH NOON
FRED ZINNEMAN | USA | 1952 | 85 MIN | PG | ENGLISH, SPANISH
Upon its release, HIGH NOON stood out amongst a sea of colorful B-movie westerns filled with wild shootouts, grand landscapes and machismo cowboy mythos that cherished spectacle over nuanced, dynamic characters. Director Fred Zinneman and producer Stanley Kramer deftly defied conventions of the era by zeroing in on the tense moments (shot in nearly real time) before an inevitable six shooter finale to highlight the lonely dread and sense of honor that Gary Cooper’s Marshal Will Kane reluctantly carries with him. On the eve of Kane’s departure from town with his newlywed wife Amy Fowler (Grace Kelly), the soon-to-be retired lawman receives news that a dangerous man he once sent to jail is due to arrive by train at the titular hour. Surprisingly Kane is met with cold shoulders from the townspeople he dedicated his entire life to protecting as he seeks help in dealing with the dastardly ex-con. Accompanied by an unforgettable score by Dimitri Tiomkin and notable for Grace Kelly’s first major film role, HIGH NOON remains a towering achievement in cinematic storytelling and a classic alternative take on the western.
Cast: Grace Kelly, Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges
Part of the Philly’s Grace limited series
A cinematic retrospective fit for royalty showcasing the talent, charisma, and glamor of Philadelphia’s own Princess Grace Kelly.
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