High Noon is a movie that takes place in the old west. That may be the one thing that classifies it as a western. It is about courage and cowardice. Will Kane, (Gary Cooper), is the marshal of Hadleyville, in New Mexico. He has retired from law enforcement, and has married Amy Fowler, (Grace Kelly). It seems that a happy life with his bride is assured. Marshal Kane’s new life is disrupted, when he learns that Frank Miller: an outlaw, that he sent to jail, was pardoned. This is disturbing news, for the marshal. The bad news is that he’s arriving on the noon train, seeking revenge. Frank Miller is not coming alone. The rest of his gang is waiting at the train station. The town leaders hustle Kane and his bride, out of town, for his safety. This is an appealing idea to Mayor Jonas Henderson, (Thomas Mitchell), but not to Will Kane. He realizes his safety is secondary, to the townsfolk, he’s pledged to protect.
The town leaders think he’s crazy, particularly Judge Percy Mettrick, (Otto Kruger), who’s leaving to avoid Frank Miller’s wrath. Will Kane knowing that he needs the town’s help, asks for volunteers for a posse. He has two volunteers; one man who backs out, and a fourteen year old boy. His friend the mayor, tells Marshal Kane, to leave, for the good of all. Even Kane’s wife leaves on the train, not believing in violence, or her husband’s dedication. The only one who can help Kane, is his deputy, Harvey Pell. He is a bitter cowardly man, who goads Kane into a fight. Kane beats Pell, leaving him alone to face Miller and his gang. The train whistle blows signaling Miller’s arrival. Kane goes out into the deserted street for the inevitable showdown.
Gary Cooper won an academy award, for his portrayal of Will Kane. His performance shows a man at his happiest, and his lowest, after being abandoned by everyone. He is the face of courage, never wavering, against incredible odds. Gary Cooper played many heroes and good guys, in his long career. His performance of a courageous man, facing almost certain death, shows why he was one of America’s first film heroes.
Grace Kelly was, before she became a princess, one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood. Her role as Amy Fowler, put her on that path. She is at the beginning, a woman who can’t understand her husband’s convictions. She changes when she feels his life is in danger. Grace Kelly is particularly good, when she looks at a dead man lying in the street. She fears its her husband. She gets a good look, and relief comes over her face, when it’s one of the bad guys. Grace Kelly doesn’t have a lot of lines in this film, but is able to give her character heart and soul.
The academy award winning actor, Thomas Mitchell played some good characters in his career. His performance as Mayor Jonas Henderson isn’t one of them. His character leads the way in cowardice. He also casts aside his friendship, with Will Kane, telling him that he needs to leave the town.
Lloyd Bridges does well as Deputy Marshal Harvey Pell. His character has no real virtues as a lawman, and is a stark contrast to Will Kane. He can’t understand why he didn’t get the job as marshal. His character’s selfishness and anger comes to a head, when his girlfriend, Helen Ramirez: Kane’s former lover, rejects him. Katy Jurado, as Helen Ramirez is good in the movie, particularly this scene. Pell’s blood is boiling after this, and he starts a fight with Will Kane. He hopes to finally prove who is the better man. Kane beats him and throws a bucket of water on him, to revive him, before leaving him.
Fred Zinnemann has done a fine job directing High Noon. It takes place in real time; with the 90 minute run time leading up to the showdown at high noon. The beginning, with the High Noon theme, sets the tone. It shows Frank Miller’s gang riding into town, to meet the train at the station. There are shots throughout showing the railroad, and the gang waiting impatiently. There is the final moment, when the train pulls in, and the audience knows the showdown is coming. The townsfolk are shown running frantically to their homes, leaving Gary Cooper’s character to face his fate alone. The gunfight is well done, with Will Kane, searching for cover, and having to run when fire is set by one of the gang. Zinnemann has managed to make what could be an ordinary western, into a complex tale about human nature.
High Noon has succeeded in doing a few things. It shows that fight or flight is the choice people make in desperate fearful situations. In this movie the leaders and the townsfolk have chosen the flight response. Will Kane has decided to stay and fight. Kane’s wife is overcome by her love for her husband, and comes back. The movie points out in a not very subtle way, that cowardice takes no conviction. It is standing up to evil and almost certain death, that is the harder but noble thing to do.