The Shootist
A dying gunfighter spends his last days looking for a way to die with a minimum of pain and a maximum of dignity.
- Director: Don Siegel
- Genre:Drama / Western
- Runtime:95 minutes
Cast
John Wayne : J.B.Books aka John Bernard Books
Lauren Bacall : Bond Rogers
Ron Howard : Gillom Rogers
James Stewart : Dr. E.W. Hostetler
Richard Boone : Mike Sweeney
The movie begins with a clip montage of some of John Wayne’s earlier western movies.
John Bernard (J. B.) Books (John Wayne) is an aging gunfighter, the most celebrated “shootist” alive. However, both he and the Old West are dying. Arriving in Carson City, Nevada in late January 1901, Books seeks a second medical opinion from someone he trusts, E. W. “Doc” Hostetler (Jimmy Stewart). Once Hostetler confirms the prognosis of a painful and undignified death from cancer, Books rents a room from the widow Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall) and her son Gillom (Ron Howard).
When Marshal Walter Thibido (Harry Morgan) visits Books to order him to leave town, Books tells Thibido that he has cancer and plans to die right there. The marshal, who, at first, does not believe Books, was originally frightened by Books’ presence in town.
Thibido leaks the news of Books’ presence in town, and enemies are drawn to him by their desire to settle old scores. Mike Sweeney (Richard Boone), whose brother Books killed, and others who seek fame by killing the gunfighter are among his foes. Books kills two men who try to ambush him in his sleep.
Old flame Serepta (Sheree North) shows up to ask him to marry her. At first, Books is touched, but then he learns that she wants to use his notoriety to make money from the sensationalized ghost-written “memoirs” of his widow. He also bargains with some others who plan to profit from his death, Moses Brown (Scatman Crothers) and the undertaker Hezekiah Beckham (John Carradine).
Unexpectedly, a romance blossoms between Books and Bond. However, he informs her that he has little time left. A friendship also develops between Gillom and the famous boarder. Read more
