Who is responsible for James Stewart becoming a great actor? He worked with Alfred Hitchcock, who is considered by many to be a great director. Stewart was given in these films, (four), opportunities to play various personalities. They ranged from influential college professor to a detective, with a fear of heights. The master of suspense, gave Stewart an opportunity, to help his faltering career. This is true, to a point. The director, who gave James Stewart a restart, was Anthony Mann.
James Stewart, until the Anthony Mann westerns, was stalled. He wasn’t getting many good film roles. His movies also weren’t making money. The actor’s career had taken a downward turn. It was so bad, that a reporter interviewed him, for his story about his downward spiral. His fortunes changed with his partnership, with Mann. He played characters who were searching for something in their lives, or a material possession. they were living on the edge, and would nearly fall off of it. His characters were wanderers, looking for fulfillment. Their appearance wasn’t glamourous. They looked like they needed a bath, a shave and a tailor. This gave the reality to westerns. These characters improved Stewart’s acting. Anthony Mann’s westerns gave James Stewart, nearly equal status in this genre, like his good friend, John Wayne.
The Naked Spur was Stewart’s third collaboration, with Mann. He plays Howard Kemp, a bounty hunter. He is tracking a murderer, Ben Vandergroat, (Robert Ryan). His quarry is elusive, and he needs help to catch him He enlists the aid of less than trustworthy people. They are Roy Anderson, (Ralph Meeker), and Jesse Tate, (Millard Mitchell). Anderson is a dishonorably discharged union soldier, and Tate is a prospector. They agree to help, because the bounty is $5,ooo.
The three men catch Vandergroat, along with his girlfriend, Linda Patch, (Janet Leigh). Vandergroat isn’t a willing prisoner. He manages to sow dissent, among the three men. They also become greedy; which results in a life and death struggle between Roy Anderson and Kemp. Vandergroat manages to escape, by Linda Patch kissing Kemp.This ignites passion between the two, which was there already.
Vandergroat escapes with a reluctant Linda. He murders Jesse Tate, and proceeds through rough terrain. Kemp and Anderson pursue Vandergroat, not wanting to lose $5,000. This of course leads to the inevitable western shootout. The climax of the film is different than the two previous Stewart/Mann collaborations. It doesn’t take away from the film, and makes the central character better.
The acting of the principles is solid. That makes up the core of the film. The cinematography by William C. Mellor helps this movie tremendously. The visuals of the Rocky Mountains are stunning. The finale is well photographed. He manages to get just the right shots of the actor’s faces, when their emotions show. He was a good cameraman for many years, before WW2. He perfected his skills during the war, with the U.S. Army Photographic Unit. He was under the command of director George Stevens. This movie proves his skills. His talent with the camera, later earned him two academy awards.
James Stewart and Anthony Mann made a high quality western with The Naked Spur. Their film partnership started a genesis for westerns. This particular film delves deep into the mindset of the character of both Howard Kemp and Ben Vandergroat. Robert Ryan seems to make an art form out of playing a bad man. James Stewart plays his character as a man deeply scarred by war and betrayal by a woman. His portrayal shows a very fine line between Vandergroat and Kemp. The script is exceptional. It was written by Sam Rolfe and Jack Blume. One of the best lines in the film is by Ben Vandergroat. He says “Choosin’ a way to die? What’s the difference? “Choosin’ a way to live- that’s the hard part.” This sums up this very gripping western.