Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964)
92 mins | Western | October 1964
Cast:
Yul Brynner, Janice Rule, Brad Dexter [ More ]Director:
Richard WilsonWriters:
Elizabeth Wilson, Alvin Sapinsley, Hal Goodman, Larry KleinProducer:
Richard WilsonCinematographer:
Joseph MacDonaldEditor:
Robert C. JonesProduction Designer:
Robert ClatworthyProduction Companies:
Kramer Co., Larcas Productions, Hermes ProductionsAccording to a 9 Sep 1962 NYT article, Stanley Kramer began developing Invitation to a Gunfighter in 1957, when he acquired the rights to Hal Goodman and Larry Klein’s television stage play of the same name. Nearly three years later, the 6 Jan 1960 Var named the film as a property of United Artists (UA). An 11 Oct 1961 DV news story noted that Hubert Cornfield, who had a two-picture deal with Kramer at the studio, and was rumored to direct and revise a screenplay by James Lee Barrett. However, Cornfield’s name did not appear in any further contemporary sources, and Kramer told the 9 Sep 1962 NYT that the script was being rewritten. An 11 Apr 1963 DV brief revealed that Richard Wilson was set to produce and direct while sharing writing credit with his wife, Elizabeth Wilson. According to the 29 May 1963 DV, Kramer objected to the studio’s suggestion that the title be changed to Invitation to a Hanging.
Items in the 10 Jul and 10 Aug 1963 LAT indicated that Rod Steiger and Susan Oliver were considered for roles, while the 11 Sep 1963 DV named Howard Wierum among the cast. Wierum is not credited onscreen.
Principal photography began 10 Sep 1963, as reported by an 11 Oct 1963 DV production chart. Filming took place on location in Lancaster, CA, and on the Universal studio backlot in Los Angeles, CA. The 4 Nov 1963 DV stated that production had been completed three days earlier. ...
According to a 9 Sep 1962 NYT article, Stanley Kramer began developing Invitation to a Gunfighter in 1957, when he acquired the rights to Hal Goodman and Larry Klein’s television stage play of the same name. Nearly three years later, the 6 Jan 1960 Var named the film as a property of United Artists (UA). An 11 Oct 1961 DV news story noted that Hubert Cornfield, who had a two-picture deal with Kramer at the studio, and was rumored to direct and revise a screenplay by James Lee Barrett. However, Cornfield’s name did not appear in any further contemporary sources, and Kramer told the 9 Sep 1962 NYT that the script was being rewritten. An 11 Apr 1963 DV brief revealed that Richard Wilson was set to produce and direct while sharing writing credit with his wife, Elizabeth Wilson. According to the 29 May 1963 DV, Kramer objected to the studio’s suggestion that the title be changed to Invitation to a Hanging.
Items in the 10 Jul and 10 Aug 1963 LAT indicated that Rod Steiger and Susan Oliver were considered for roles, while the 11 Sep 1963 DV named Howard Wierum among the cast. Wierum is not credited onscreen.
Principal photography began 10 Sep 1963, as reported by an 11 Oct 1963 DV production chart. Filming took place on location in Lancaster, CA, and on the Universal studio backlot in Los Angeles, CA. The 4 Nov 1963 DV stated that production had been completed three days earlier.
Returning to Pecos, New Mexico, at the end of the Civil War, Confederate veteran Matt Weaver discovers his property appropriated and sold by banker Brewster; his former fiancée, Ruth, married to a one-armed Union soldier; and his neighbors, Yankee sympathizers, aligned against him. After Weaver shoots in self defense the new owner of his farm, Brewster hires the notorious Jules Gaspard d'Estaing to eliminate him. The gunman, an enigmatic educated mulatto, proves uncontrollable, and Brewster attempts to hire Weaver to slay d'Estaing. In the ensuing confrontation, the gunman provokes Weaver, who then slays both d'Estaing and ...
Returning to Pecos, New Mexico, at the end of the Civil War, Confederate veteran Matt Weaver discovers his property appropriated and sold by banker Brewster; his former fiancée, Ruth, married to a one-armed Union soldier; and his neighbors, Yankee sympathizers, aligned against him. After Weaver shoots in self defense the new owner of his farm, Brewster hires the notorious Jules Gaspard d'Estaing to eliminate him. The gunman, an enigmatic educated mulatto, proves uncontrollable, and Brewster attempts to hire Weaver to slay d'Estaing. In the ensuing confrontation, the gunman provokes Weaver, who then slays both d'Estaing and Brewster.
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement AwardTOP SEARCHES
The Long Haul
Onscreen credits contain the following written acknowlegment: "The producer gratefully acknowleges the assistance and facilities made availabe to the producer by Leyland Motors Limited." Tom Morahan's onscreen credit reads ... >>
The Terminator
A full-page advertisement in the 24 Feb 1984 DV announced the recent start of principal photography, referring to the film by its working title, Terminator. ... >>
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
According to HR news items, "The Gentleman from Montana" (an unpublished story by Lewis R. Foster, alternately called "The Gentleman from Wyoming" by both contemporary and modern ... >>
Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights opens and closes with a framing story featuring an elderly guardian relating the story of two rival brothers, Haroum-al-Raschid and Kamar al Zaman, to six ... >>
