Marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper) stands alone in Hadleyville against a gang of killers hell-bent on revenge in director Fred Zinnemann's 1952 Western classic, High Noon.

United Artists' High Noon, starring strong, silent Gary Cooper as Marshal Will Kane, ranks as one of Hollywood's most popular Western films. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, High Noon featured Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney Jr. and Harry Morgan in powerful support. Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'...

Based on the Story by John W. Cunningham

High Noon was loosely based on the short story "The Tin Star" by John W. Cunningham (1915-2002). The story first appeared in the December 6, 1947, edition of Collier's magazine.

Screenplay, Director, Music

High Noon was written for the screen by Carl Foreman. Directing the film was Fred Zinnemann, whose previous credits included Little Mister Jim (1946), The Search (1948) and The Men (1950).

The film's music score was rendered by Dimitri Timokin.

High Noon Cast

High Noon featured a high-powered cast comprised of Gary Cooper (Marshal Will Kane), Grace Kelly (Amy Fowler Kane), Thomas Mitchell (Mayor Jonas Henderson), Lloyd Bridges (Deputy Marshal Harvey Pell), Katy Jurado (Helen Ramirez), Otto Kruger (Judge Percy Mettrick), Lon Chaney Jr. (Martin Howe) and Harry (as Henry) Morgan (Sam Fuller).

Playing the four killers with menacing relish were Ian MacDonald (Frank Miller), Lee Van Cleef (Jack Colby), Robert J. Wilke (Jim Pierce) and Sheb Wooley (Ben Miller).

Filming High Noon

Budgeted at $750,000, High Noon was filmed in 28 days from September to October, 1951. The opening sequence was shot at the Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth, California, while the railroad station scene was filmed in Warnerville, California.

Other California locations used included the Wilson House (Columbia), the Melody Ranch (Newhall), St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tuolumne City), Railtown 1897 State Historical Park (Jamestown) and the Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch (Burbank).

Following the completion of High Noon, writer Carl Foreman was blacklisted because of his refusal to "name names" before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Unable to continue in Hollywood, Foreman sold his share of High Noon to Stanley Kramer's production company for a reported $280,000 and left for Europe.

High Noon Close-ups, Theme Song

After viewing the first cut, producer Stanley Kramer felt the film contained too many dead spots. He then ordered director Fred Zinnemann to shoot a series of close-ups featuring Gary Cooper's lined, anxiety-ridden face along with intermittent cuts to various clocks as they ticked their way to the witching hour -- high noon.

Kramer also instructed music maestro Dimitri Tiomikin and Ned Washington to write a moody ballad reflecting Marshal Will Kane's lone, desperate struggle against the Miller Gang. The result was the haunting "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'," performed by Tex Ritter.

"Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'" was later retitled "High Noon." Tex Ritter released two versions of the song for Capitol Records -- one with heightened instrumentation -- which together sold over one million copies. Frankie Laine's version of "High Noon," released as Columbia Records single #39770, climbed all the way to #5 on the Cash Box singles charts.

High Noon in Hadleyville

Set in the fictional town of Hadleyville, New Mexico Territory (population 650) on a Sunday afternoon, High Noon introduces Marshal Will Kane and his new Quaker bride. Kane, the town marshal, is hanging up his tin star and going into ranching.

When word is received that Frank Miller is returning to Hadleyville following a stretch in prison, Kane decides to stay and face the revenge-seeking gunslinger. Waiting at the train station for Miller are three of his cohorts, brother Ben Miller, steely-eyed Jack Colby and grizzled Jim Pierce.

Abandoned by his friends and deputies for what they believe is a "personal matter," Kane is forced to stand alone against the Miller Gang. The train eventually arrives, with the four gunslingers departing the station and heading into Hadleyville, searching for the lone Will Kane.

Hadleyville, all but deserted by the frightened townspeople, is turned into a battleground of flying lead as the outnumbered Marshal Kane tries to fend off his outlaw avengers.

Release, Reviews, Box Office, DVD

High Noon premiered at New York City's Mayfair Theater on July 24, 1952.

"Meaningful in its implications, as well as loaded with interest and suspense, High Noon is a western to challenge Stagecoach for the all-time championship," wrote Bosley Crowther of The New York Times (7/25/52).

High Noon grossed $3.4 million at the box office, good for the #12 slot on the list of the top moneymaking films of 1952.

High Noon, former President Bill Clinton's favorite film, was first released on DVD in 1998.

Academy Awards

High Noon, whose starring role was turned down by Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift, won four Academy Awards: Best Actor (Gary Cooper), Best Film Editing (Elmo Williams, Harry W. Gerstad), Best Music, Original Song (Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington), Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Dimitri Tiomkin).

High Noon also received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director (Zinnemann) and Best Screenplay (Foreman).

"Kane will be a dead man in half an hour and nobody's gonna do anything about it. And when he dies, this town dies too," Helen Rarmirez says before the clock's hands reach high noon.

Sounds like the town is dead already...