High Lonesome (1950) | Directed by Alan Le May

High Lonesome is a Western film set in the remote Big Bend country of Texas, where a young drifter named Cooncat is accused of murder after he stumbles into a ranch community plagued by suspicion and paranoia. As the locals grow increasingly hostile, Cooncat tries to clear his name while uncovering the real threat behind the crimes. The story explores themes of justice, redemption, and the outsider’s struggle in a tightly knit frontier world.

Genre: Western, Drama, Mystery

Director: Alan Le May

Alan Le May was an American novelist, screenwriter, and director best known for his contributions to the Western genre. Born in 1899, Le May had a prolific writing career, penning stories for magazines and novels before moving into screenwriting. His most enduring legacy came from writing the novels *The Searchers* and *The Unforgiven*, both of which were later adapted into influential Western films. *High Lonesome* was his only directorial effort, showcasing his deep understanding of Western storytelling and atmosphere.

Star Cast:

* John Drew Barrymore (credited as John Barrymore Jr.) as Cooncat
* Chill Wills as Boatwhistle
* Jack Elam as Smiling Man
* John Archer as Pat Farrell
* Lois Butler as Abby
* Kristine Miller as Meagan Davis
* Charles Drake as Frank
* Basil Ruysdael as Horse Davis

High Lonesome received modest attention upon its release, appreciated by genre fans for its moody atmosphere and psychological complexity. Though not a major box office success, it has since developed a small following among Western aficionados for its offbeat tone and noir-inflected narrative. Critics noted the film's unusual blend of suspense and Western tropes, with some praising the isolated desert setting and youthful energy brought by John Drew Barrymore.

Fun Facts:

* This was the only film directed by Alan Le May, despite his prominent status as a Western novelist and screenwriter.
* The movie was shot on location in the rugged Big Bend area of Texas, lending the film an authentic, isolated Western feel.
* John Drew Barrymore, son of legendary actor John Barrymore and father of Drew Barrymore, made an early appearance here, showing flashes of talent despite a tumultuous career.
* The film’s title, "High Lonesome," refers to a term used in the American West to describe vast, empty, and often spiritually haunting landscapes.
* While overlooked in its time, modern retrospectives have pointed to *High Lonesome* as a psychologically driven precursor to darker Westerns of the late 1950s and 60s.

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