One feature of "The Cheyanne Social Club"; it marks the 3rd (count'em third) time that James Stewart "killed" career bad guy Robert J. Wilke on screen He had already gunned him down in "The Far Country", and in "Night Passage". In this movie, Wilke, a much better gunman, braces Stewart in a crowded saloon. Stewart's pal, Henry Fonda, is noshing on pecans while watching the action. Fonda squeezes two pecans together to crack them; Wilke thinks he hears a pistol being cocked, so he draws his gun and points in Fonda's direction. Seeing no threat there, Wilke tries to recover, but by this time Stewart has cleared leather, and he blows Wilke away, thus becoming a hero. Shades of Liberty Valence!
This movie was directed by Gene Kelly, and this scene was played for slapstick comedy. Robert J. Wilke was killed many times on screen, by a Who's Who list of Hollywood elite. (Heck, even Grace Kelly snuffed him in "High Noon"!) This was quite likely the only time his demise was played for laughs.
In an enjoyable movie, this was one of the outstanding moments. Enjoy it when you get a chance. And there's one quote worth remembering: Stewart to Fonda: "Harley, It just occurs to me that you've been talking for fourteen hundred miles!"
Flickerfan
This movie was directed by Gene Kelly, and this scene was played for slapstick comedy. Robert J. Wilke was killed many times on screen, by a Who's Who list of Hollywood elite. (Heck, even Grace Kelly snuffed him in "High Noon"!) This was quite likely the only time his demise was played for laughs.
In an enjoyable movie, this was one of the outstanding moments. Enjoy it when you get a chance. And there's one quote worth remembering: Stewart to Fonda: "Harley, It just occurs to me that you've been talking for fourteen hundred miles!"
Flickerfan