Death of a Gunfighter
Death of a Gunfighter is a 1969 Western film. It is most notable for the first use of the pseudonymous Allen Smithee directorial credit. It stars Richard Widmark and Lena Horne, and features an original score by Oliver Nelson. The theme of the film is the passing of the West, the clash between a traditional character and the politics and demands of modern society.
Patch humiliates one of towns councilmen, a cowardly shopkeeper, by slapping him. The man plans to kill Patch, but when Patch faces him down, he turns the gun on himself. The mans son swears revenge, supported by local leaders. They plot to ambush Patch. Aware that he will probably be killed, Patch marries his longtime girlfriend, the local brothel madame. The marriage is on the same day as the shopkeepers funeral, after which Patchs death is planned. The dead mans son attempts to kill Patch on his own, but is shot by Patch. Patch explains to the dying youth that his father had murdered a man many years ago. Patch covered it up because he had agreed to raise the dead mans child. Patch pursues one of the instigators of the plot to kill him. He wounds and captures him, but then insists on going back out, knowing he will be gunned down. He is shot by hidden gunmen on the rooftops.The film began under the direction of Robert Totten, an experienced television director Gunsmoke, The Legend of Jesse James. After clashes with star Widmark, and almost a year of work, he was dropped and replaced by Don Siegel. When the film was finished Siegel did not want his name to replace Tottens. Widmark protested and an agreement was made with the Directors Guild of America for the pseudonym Alan Smithee to be used. ........
Source: Wikipedia
