FACE OF A FUGITIVE

US, 1959, 81 minutes, Colour.
Fred Mac Murray, Lyn Mc Carthy, Alan Baxter, James Coburn.
Directed by Paul Wendkos.

Face of a Fugitive is a small-budget western from Columbia in the late '50s. It stars Fred Mac Murray, who moved towards this kind of film at the period (Good Day for a Hanging, Gun for a Coward) before he moved into success in television and Disney films (The Absent- Minded Professor, Bon Voyage). The film is the work of director, Paul Wendkos, one of his earliest films. His most successful commercial film was Angel Baby. He had a successful career as a director of telemovies for several decades. Amongst the supporting cast is James Coburn as the henchman of the principal villain.

1. Entertaining western? Western of the '50s?

2. The atmosphere of the West, the open spaces, the western towns? The fences? Musical score? Authentic atmosphere of the West?

3. The title, the credits sequence? The threat of the poster coming with Kincaid's photo? The irony of the character of Kincaid?

4. Fred Mac Murray as Kincaid? On the train, being taken to prison? His move to escape? Bank robber? The assistance of his friend, the irony of the killing of the deputy? The shooting of the friend, his death, Kincaid wrapping him in the container and throwing him from the train into the river? The later discovery of the body? His getting on the train, the encounter with the little girl, his posing as a mine inspector? His escaping detection on the train? His place in the town, friendship, with the little girl's mother and attraction towards her? Friendship with her brother the sheriff? Stepping in in the confrontation with the villain? His wanting to move out of the town, his not being able to? Support of the sheriff, talking him into getting married? His going out for the confrontation? His trying to confess? His leading of-the villains, the confrontation and shoot-out? His injuries? His face on the poster? His being taken to hospital? A future?

5. The sheriff and his studies, his having to take over in the town, the confrontation of the villains? Kincaid's intervention? His decision to deputise him? The shoot-out? The question of his marriage, the dance, the wedding ceremony? The little girl and her mother, friendship with Kincaid, the dance, the wedding? The ending?

6. The villain, fencing, property, confrontations and violence? out? The henchmen and their being killed? The shootout?

7. The people in the town, the barber who remembered Kincaid - and was able to supply him with the story? The people at the dance? The wedding?

8. Popular ingredients of the West: law and order, outlaws, justice, escapees? The paradox of the outlaws and their doing good?