Lone Star (1952 film)

This article is about the 1952 film about the struggle over the annexation of Texas, starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Broderick Crawford. For the 1996 neo-Western mystery, see Lone Star (1996 film).

Lone Star
Theatrical film poster
Directed byVincent Sherman
Written byBorden Chase
Howard Estabrook
Produced byZ. Wayne Griffin
StarringClark Gable
Ava Gardner
Broderick Crawford
Lionel Barrymore
Beulah Bondi
CinematographyHarold Rosson
Edited byFerris Webster
Music byDavid Buttolph
Production
company
Distributed byLoew's, Inc
Release date
  • February 8, 1952 (1952-02-08)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.6 million[1]
Box office$3.9 million[1]

Lone Star is a 1952 American Western film starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Broderick Crawford, Ed Begley, and Lionel Barrymore (in his final role) as President Andrew Jackson. The film also marks the first (uncredited) screen appearance by then-13-year-old George Hamilton, playing beside Barrymore in the role of Jackson's servant.[2]

The movie is considered both Western and romance, set in Texas shortly before statehood.

Plot

Devereaux Burke (Clark Gable) gets a personal request from former President Andrew Jackson (Lionel Barrymore) to facilitate the annexation of Texas into the United States. Opposition to annexation is gaining favor because it is mistakenly believed that Texas pioneer Sam Houston (Moroni Olsen) opposes statehood.

The opposition leader is wealthy rancher Thomas Craden (Broderick Crawford), but when Craden is ambushed by Comanches, Dev comes to his rescue. Dev and Craden travel to Austin, where they meet Martha Ronda (Ava Gardner), who runs the local newspaper. Craden does not know Dev supports annexation when he invites him to a dinner he planned that night for a number of senators at his home. When the senators will not all agree to vote against annexation, Craden refuses them permission to leave. Dev is allowed to leave, but soon returns with a group of armed men to rescue the senators and reveal his support for annexation.

The senators inform Dev that Sam Houston is on the other side of the Pecos River, negotiating a peace treaty with the Apache. Dev leaves to find Houston, but is followed by Craden. Dev and Craden find Houston with the Apache. Dev gets a signed letter from Houston telling of Houston's actual position, but the ink smears when Dev falls into a river while fleeing from Craden's men. Dev has difficulty persuading Martha that he is telling the truth, but after confirming the facts with Craden, she publishes the correct story about Houston's position.

When the people of Austin are told the truth of Houston's position, they rally in support of annexation. Craden resorts to force to stop the Texas Congress from voting on annexation. Dev is called on to organize the defense of the Texas Congress. Craden attacks the fort-like congress building with several dozen armed men on horseback. Dev leads the defenders as they repulse two waves of attack, but the battle begins to turn against them during the third wave of attack. Houston arrives with the Apache just in time to end the battle before any senators are killed. Dev and Craden fight each other hand-to-hand until Dev knocks out Craden. Annexation succeeds, Craden concedes, and Dev wins Martha over and saves the day.

Cast

Reception

According to MGM records, the film made $2,478,000 in the US and Canada and $1,444,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $990,000.[1]

The New York Times' reviewer observed: “If there is any doubt at the end of "Lone Star," which clattered into the Capitol yesterday, that Texas went through some terrific growing pains before joining the United States, then Clark Gable and the other stalwarts from Metro's varsity are wasting a lot of time. There is a disturbing suspicion in this corner that, indeed, they are and that, despite its historic overtones, "Lone Star" is merely a king-size Western in which love is as mighty as muscle. It isn't art and it isn't history precisely, but the producers have Mr. Gable tussling with assorted villains and the prettiest gal north of the Rio Grande, so it probably doesn't matter, after all….Suffice it to say that Mr. Gable is a man who is ready to throw a punch and fire a six-gun as well as pitch woo. And before the besieged Congres in Austin has voted to make Texas part of the union, he has settled his differences with Broderick Crawford…and Ava Gardner, as unlikely a newspaper publisher as any we've seen…Mr. Crawford, who loses that battle, his dreams of empire and his girl, is a standard, snarling bad man but one who ultimately has the grace to join his conqueror against the common Mexican enemy. Miss Gardner, on the other hand, is decorative but not much more as the lady who is torn by love and political affiliations… Luckily for "Lone Star" the principals don't take much time out for either romance or tears.”[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
  2. ^ Wilson, Ross (2016). The Language of the Past. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 223. ISBN 9781474246798. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  3. ^ W, A. (February 2, 1952). "Clark Gable and Ava Gardner in 'Lone Star,' at Capitol -- Three Imports Also Bow". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 29, 2024.