I saw this on the big screen when I was a kid. Loved it then, as now. One thing though, When the towns people come out and Cooper looks at them in disgust and then tosses his badge into the dirt, everyone in the audience, including me, let out a huge 'gasp' of disbelief because we all expected a happy ending. (par for the course at the time). I'll never forget that. (Also, there's a second badge in the dirt just behind Coopers left heel.)
If this film were in colour, it would be perfect: the message - that most people are moral cowards who will always find an excuse not to stand up and be counted - will never not be relevant.
Funny, I remember the McCarthy era and the Hollywood blacklist well but at the time I had no interest in it or the repercussions. I was at the age where what went on in Hollywood of the Senate hearing chambers was their business and I could care less. Only when I got a little older did I realize what a horrible time that was for some entertainers.
High Noon was a film we studied in a communication arts class at Notre Dame in the late '50's. Professor Ed Fisher, a well respected film critic, pointed out how many scenes were shot from above vividly showing how one man was literally alone in the empty town. The townspeople were hiding while the marshal had to take on the Frank Miller gang alone. Good stuff. He said this, along with Marlon Brando in "On The Waterfront" were the best made films of the era.
@KYIRISH1 Which is interesting, because both High Noon and On the Waterfront were allegories for the Hollywood blacklist yet endorsed opposite sides of the political argument when it came to naming names.
I once tried to call the police to stop a street gang warlord from beating up on a very old man at a convenience store. They thought it was quite funny and would look into it. When I took my own measures to, well, inhibit said warlord, the hoodlums had the police at my door in minutes and I nearly went to jail for breaking the 200 pound pig's nose. No wonder people won't help.
@BuckshotLaFunke1 And in 1957 he had a hit record with "Flying Purple Eater". This film was shot in 1951 and released in 1952. I have a 1952 episode of the Lone Ranger and Ian MacDonald who plays Frank Miller here, the bad guy who rode in on the train with Sheb Wooley, Lee Van Cleef and Robert Wilkie waiting for him, is in this episode of The Lone Ranger and so are Lee Van Cleef and Sheb Wooley. When I first watched it I wondered if they did it during a break from High Noon.
I've thought about this a lot over the years and I truly believe that in the same circumstances I would have found a shotgun and stood with Kane. I'm no hero but I once beat the snot out of a street gang warlord to save an old man when the police laughed and said they would "look into it:": Mind you they responded in minutes when that blubbering tub of lard called the;police and if not for the lies of some eye witnesses I might have gone to jail for that bastards broken nose and jaw
@september7891 hey your a faggot yourself this is the problem out here today the agenda in hollywood is gayness my agenda to kick some ass so with your comment i'm gonna kick your ass I wish you were near so I could ram a big dildo down your big mouth you are prood that opinions are like assholes everyones got one keep off you-tube you wanker
@september7891 englishman? my grandmother was from cornwall listen I comback and hit hard relax no only in america the westerner prevails no even australia cooper shows that your all alone and in your hometown today thye hide and run like sheep get it!
asterisk911 makes this into a political thing by saying the typical American is a selfish coward. Really, most people are reluctant to put their lives on the line. That crosses political boundaries.
John Wayne thought this was the most anti-American film ever. Yeah, there's one hero, but the typical American is a selfish coward. And when Gary Cooper's character throws his badge on the ground, he's spitting on the typical cowardly American, and deservedly so.
Well, John Wayne is entitled to his opinion. I'd rather concentrate on the one great American than the millions of losers, but that's where John Wayne and I disagree.
yeah i really love this film it really shows you how strong a man can be, becasue he could have left, or fled before miller arrived, and leave the wonsfolk who abandoned him to millers mercy but he stayed did his job then left. I wasn't really surprised by the townspeoples cowardice, some people are just cowards who hide behind the strong, yet lift no finger to help becasue they could be hurt, that is just how some people are, not Gary Cooper though.
best movie of all time ... not because of the Americans, but for humanity ....
SatanicaBlackMetal 2 weeks ago
the iconic western; still as good today as it was when first released in the 1950s. Saw it at the Filwood Broadway cinema, Bristol in 1956
brabazon10 2 weeks ago
I saw this on the big screen when I was a kid. Loved it then, as now. One thing though, When the towns people come out and Cooper looks at them in disgust and then tosses his badge into the dirt, everyone in the audience, including me, let out a huge 'gasp' of disbelief because we all expected a happy ending. (par for the course at the time). I'll never forget that. (Also, there's a second badge in the dirt just behind Coopers left heel.)
mrblowhard2u 3 weeks ago
If there is a better movie than this I haven't seen it.
thmsjhnsn 3 weeks ago
Great stuff. Gary Cooper's look of contempt as he looks at the townspeople who abandoned him is iconic
UniversalHeat 1 month ago
When Gary Cooper steps on his badge, he is stepping on every tea-bag.
SirDcitykity 1 month ago
If this film were in colour, it would be perfect: the message - that most people are moral cowards who will always find an excuse not to stand up and be counted - will never not be relevant.
GojuBob 1 month ago
Funny, I remember the McCarthy era and the Hollywood blacklist well but at the time I had no interest in it or the repercussions. I was at the age where what went on in Hollywood of the Senate hearing chambers was their business and I could care less. Only when I got a little older did I realize what a horrible time that was for some entertainers.
KYIRISH1 1 month ago
High Noon was a film we studied in a communication arts class at Notre Dame in the late '50's. Professor Ed Fisher, a well respected film critic, pointed out how many scenes were shot from above vividly showing how one man was literally alone in the empty town. The townspeople were hiding while the marshal had to take on the Frank Miller gang alone. Good stuff. He said this, along with Marlon Brando in "On The Waterfront" were the best made films of the era.
KYIRISH1 2 months ago
@KYIRISH1 Which is interesting, because both High Noon and On the Waterfront were allegories for the Hollywood blacklist yet endorsed opposite sides of the political argument when it came to naming names.
CoolerKing37 1 month ago
Greatest western I have seen after 'Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'
prakr 2 months ago
I once tried to call the police to stop a street gang warlord from beating up on a very old man at a convenience store. They thought it was quite funny and would look into it. When I took my own measures to, well, inhibit said warlord, the hoodlums had the police at my door in minutes and I nearly went to jail for breaking the 200 pound pig's nose. No wonder people won't help.
deriter64 2 months ago
Sheb Wooley was later to star in 'Rawhide'.
BuckshotLaFunke1 2 months ago
@BuckshotLaFunke1 And in 1957 he had a hit record with "Flying Purple Eater". This film was shot in 1951 and released in 1952. I have a 1952 episode of the Lone Ranger and Ian MacDonald who plays Frank Miller here, the bad guy who rode in on the train with Sheb Wooley, Lee Van Cleef and Robert Wilkie waiting for him, is in this episode of The Lone Ranger and so are Lee Van Cleef and Sheb Wooley. When I first watched it I wondered if they did it during a break from High Noon.
boblackey1 2 months ago
I've thought about this a lot over the years and I truly believe that in the same circumstances I would have found a shotgun and stood with Kane. I'm no hero but I once beat the snot out of a street gang warlord to save an old man when the police laughed and said they would "look into it:": Mind you they responded in minutes when that blubbering tub of lard called the;police and if not for the lies of some eye witnesses I might have gone to jail for that bastards broken nose and jaw
deriter64 3 months ago
coopers greatest movie
johnny9148 3 months ago
@johnny9148 gary cooper was a faggot he use to turd burgle randolph scott
september7891 2 months ago
@september7891 hey your a faggot yourself this is the problem out here today the agenda in hollywood is gayness my agenda to kick some ass so with your comment i'm gonna kick your ass I wish you were near so I could ram a big dildo down your big mouth you are prood that opinions are like assholes everyones got one keep off you-tube you wanker
johnny9148 2 months ago
@johnny9148 why you so touchy fuckinghell relax man and show some respect your talking to an englishman
september7891 2 months ago
@september7891 englishman? my grandmother was from cornwall listen I comback and hit hard relax no only in america the westerner prevails no even australia cooper shows that your all alone and in your hometown today thye hide and run like sheep get it!
johnny9148 2 months ago
@september7891 SUCK MY ANUS BITCH!
danobsboyfriend 1 month ago
this is also my top ten list the loner who has to be strong without help
johnny9148 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
thumbs up if you think it is an awesome film
Willo9251 3 months ago
frank miller was cool.
666voltanaligern 3 months ago
asterisk911 makes this into a political thing by saying the typical American is a selfish coward. Really, most people are reluctant to put their lives on the line. That crosses political boundaries.
takeawho 3 months ago
John Wayne thought this was the most anti-American film ever. Yeah, there's one hero, but the typical American is a selfish coward. And when Gary Cooper's character throws his badge on the ground, he's spitting on the typical cowardly American, and deservedly so.
Well, John Wayne is entitled to his opinion. I'd rather concentrate on the one great American than the millions of losers, but that's where John Wayne and I disagree.
asterisk911 5 months ago 10
Very ahead of it's time. Avant garde.
sissieprigmore 6 months ago
yeah i really love this film it really shows you how strong a man can be, becasue he could have left, or fled before miller arrived, and leave the wonsfolk who abandoned him to millers mercy but he stayed did his job then left. I wasn't really surprised by the townspeoples cowardice, some people are just cowards who hide behind the strong, yet lift no finger to help becasue they could be hurt, that is just how some people are, not Gary Cooper though.
MAnnaconduit1 1 year ago 6