A rich Utah landowner (Stephen McNalley) deputizes himself in order to bring back to justice the person (Rory Calhoun) who killed his brother. Was it murder or self defense? The viewer thinks all along that McNalley is a real lawman until we find out who he really is, which changes the dynamics a bit. The plane they're traveling in crashes somewhere on the central California coast and Calhoun manages to get away, though there really is no place to escape to in the isolated setting, especially since it's beginning to rain and all the passes get washed out. Along shows up the daughter (Jean Simmons) of a sheep rancher (Brian Ahearn)and her dog (Lassie?). McNalley and Calhoun both try to convince her of who is right, though she falls for Calhoun, leaving a hobbling McNalley alone in his efforts to return to Utah with Calhoun. The background story of Utah and the rich family against the rebel was at least somewhat more interesting than the story in this movie where Simmons eventually falls for Calhoun, mostly because he puts the make on her, and she, in spite of her intellectual abilities, can't resist the sexual attraction. The return of her father from a week long trip into the nearest town sets up a decent enough ending. The film needed more freedom of sexual expression, or moreso, another script in order to bring off the pent up feelings felt by Simmons, as she's been kept away from all outside contact because she lives with her philosopher father on this out of the way ranch. It (this movie) mostly verges on being fairly bad, but has some inexplicable qualities that compel one to keep on watching and hoping.
11 Reviews
Worth a Look
Homeric24 January 2017
There is a very good print of this film out on DVD. It is a somewhat odd little film, a modern western, a confined setting, but it does have items of interest. There are only 4 actors in the movie and for most of it, only 3. This creates an interesting dynamic between the players. Then there is the beautiful scenic location, which is not a Hollywood "set", and is excellently photographed. The actors are very watchable, and Simmons and Calhoun make a good couple. This is a passable western, not a great one. The dialogue is okay and did not have many moments to make you wince. The story line is terrific, but there is a lack of real tension that makes the film drag at times. However, the real problem is the ending. It ends a little too pat, a little too safe, a little too Hollywood. Overall it is better than many such B films, and does manage to maintain interest throughout.
Watchable Pseudo Western...
xerses131 February 2011
A airplane crash leaves Lawman Sheriff Munson (Stephan McNally) and Prisoner Ed Stone (Rory Calhoun) stranded on a Sheep Ranch in the modern (1954) West. Between escape attempts ED makes a play for the beautiful Cally Canham (Jean Simmons) who is holding down the ranch for her Father David (Brian Aherne). MUNSON has a personal grudge against ED, but FATHER David arrives at the close too sort things out and you expect ED and CALLY will eventually get together, nuff said.
Good scenery and interesting casting are the most worthwhile features of this film. Calhoun and McNally seem quite at home in the West, but Aherne and Simmons would seem too be by intellect and temperament more suited for a drawing room. Jean does fill out her 'jeans' quite well and is as sexy in those as any more feminine costume. She would exhibit the same assets in THE BIG COUNTRY (1958). The film is worth watching just for her.
Good scenery and interesting casting are the most worthwhile features of this film. Calhoun and McNally seem quite at home in the West, but Aherne and Simmons would seem too be by intellect and temperament more suited for a drawing room. Jean does fill out her 'jeans' quite well and is as sexy in those as any more feminine costume. She would exhibit the same assets in THE BIG COUNTRY (1958). The film is worth watching just for her.
Unusual western with miscast Simmons and McNally...
Doylenf18 January 2008
John Farrow directed this unusual western about a bounty hunter (STEPHEN McNALLY) and his prisoner (RORY CALHOUN) seeking shelter in a remote cabin owned by JEAN SIMMONS, biding their time until the bad weather passes so that McNally can bring Calhoun to justice for a crime he's committed involving McNally's brother.
Somehow the casting seems adrift. McNally is usually much more at home as a villain and should have played Calhoun's part. And yet, Calhoun and Simmons don't seem like a good match, she being completely out of place in this sort of western and he not convincing enough as the bad man McNally is after.
The storm sequences are well done, the settings are good, and everyone tries hard to keep the melodramatics on a believable level--and most of it works quite well.
BRIAN AHERNE, as Simmons' absent father, only makes an appearance toward the end of the story when his role becomes important in the scheme of things. He too seems oddly out of place in a western.
Despite the flaws, makes an interesting watch.
Somehow the casting seems adrift. McNally is usually much more at home as a villain and should have played Calhoun's part. And yet, Calhoun and Simmons don't seem like a good match, she being completely out of place in this sort of western and he not convincing enough as the bad man McNally is after.
The storm sequences are well done, the settings are good, and everyone tries hard to keep the melodramatics on a believable level--and most of it works quite well.
BRIAN AHERNE, as Simmons' absent father, only makes an appearance toward the end of the story when his role becomes important in the scheme of things. He too seems oddly out of place in a western.
Despite the flaws, makes an interesting watch.
Wall-to-wall Tiomkin score and a contrived ending, but held my interest
john-761195 February 2024
A very interesting, intimate film that takes place entirely on a farm in a remote wilderness, which surely kept production budget considerations modest. The opening of the film was a bit weird, starting with a seascape shoreline and then various evidence traces of a plane crash, and a conflict, that eventually leads to (FINALLY!) two men fighting it out in the rugged terrain, one of which escapes the other.
All of it is smothered by an overbearing and highly detailed Dmitri Tiomkin score that fills the soundtrack like thick-pile, wall-to-wall carpeting. I found myself feeling very sorry for the music copyists who had to copy out all those notes from the VERY busy and restless hand of expatriate Russian Mr. Tiomkin.
The two conflicting men meet a young woman alone in a remote farm, and romance, however improbable, eventually ensues. As well as a delicate balancing act of three-way conflict.
As it happens, Los Angeles where I live is currently being inundated by heavy rains, so the picture with all it's stormy weather was a perfect match for an evening at home. The film is a solid blend of outdoor landscape and indoor drama.
The ending seems very contrived and doesn't quite make sense, but at least it appears to be a happy one. But it is likely the worst aspect of this film. Nevertheless, "A Bullet is Waiting" definitely held my interest and the acting was quite good. Good title!
All of it is smothered by an overbearing and highly detailed Dmitri Tiomkin score that fills the soundtrack like thick-pile, wall-to-wall carpeting. I found myself feeling very sorry for the music copyists who had to copy out all those notes from the VERY busy and restless hand of expatriate Russian Mr. Tiomkin.
The two conflicting men meet a young woman alone in a remote farm, and romance, however improbable, eventually ensues. As well as a delicate balancing act of three-way conflict.
As it happens, Los Angeles where I live is currently being inundated by heavy rains, so the picture with all it's stormy weather was a perfect match for an evening at home. The film is a solid blend of outdoor landscape and indoor drama.
The ending seems very contrived and doesn't quite make sense, but at least it appears to be a happy one. But it is likely the worst aspect of this film. Nevertheless, "A Bullet is Waiting" definitely held my interest and the acting was quite good. Good title!
A Perfect Title So So Film
KingCoody18 April 2007
With that title one would expect either a western, a p.i./cop dark streets noir,or a war drama. Well it's in the West on a sheep ranch and Rory Calhoun is the protagonist. Jean Simmons is there to provide the standard romantic figure but is way too sophisticated to be believed as a outland waif. Stephen McNally like his contemporary Charles McGraw just looks of villainy so its surprising when he carries a badge while Mr. Ahearne like his screen daughter just looks out of place. So one gets a character study instead of a shootalot as the title implies. The actors do the script,the director sees his slide continuing,and the viewer wonders why the title wasn't used by Randolph Scott for one of his Ranown epics.
Jean Simmons as a cowgirl
marthawilcox18315 August 2014
This is probably as close as you get to Jean Simmons appearing in a Western. Her short haircut makes her look less feminine as opposed to being a tomboy. There's no strength in her, and her English accent is out of place in this gritty world of runaway fugitives.
It looks similar to an episode from 'The Fugitive' where David Janssen is held prisoner by a sheriff whilst trekking through mountainous terrain. I think the episode is called 'Passage to Helena'.
The only notable thing about this film is the score by 60 year old Dimitri Tiomkin. He is fresh from 'Dial M For Murder', and from the opening scene you feel as though you are back in 'Dial M For Murder'. The score isn't that good, but you recognise the composer behind the music. His music sounds the same, and the 1950s was his best period.
Rory Colhoun is not my kind of actor at all.
It looks similar to an episode from 'The Fugitive' where David Janssen is held prisoner by a sheriff whilst trekking through mountainous terrain. I think the episode is called 'Passage to Helena'.
The only notable thing about this film is the score by 60 year old Dimitri Tiomkin. He is fresh from 'Dial M For Murder', and from the opening scene you feel as though you are back in 'Dial M For Murder'. The score isn't that good, but you recognise the composer behind the music. His music sounds the same, and the 1950s was his best period.
Rory Colhoun is not my kind of actor at all.
Decent Timewaster
gordonl562 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A BULLET IS WAITING - 1954
A small aircraft crashes just off the coast and two men manage to escape the wreckage and reach shore. The two, Stephen McNally and Rory Calhoun, though hand-cuffed together, engage in a good down and dirty kick and stomp fistfight. Calhoun gets the upper hand, gets the cuffs off and heads inland.
Just off the beach he runs into Jean Simmons, who with the help of a rifle, asks Calhoun what he is doing on her land. McNally, who has suffered a broken leg during the fight hobbles on to the scene. He informs Simmons that he is cop, and Calhoun a prisoner being taken in on murder charges.
Simmons takes the pair to a small isolated sheep ranch were her father, Brian Aherne, and herself live. They must stay for several days since a recent storm has wiped out the only road to town. While McNally is laid up, Calhoun starts putting the moves on Simmons hoping she will help him escape.
Simmons falls hard for the smooth talking Calhoun and the tension begins to build. It turns out that Calhoun is charged with the murder of McNally's brother. McNally just wants some revenge and hopes to bump off Calhoun when he tries his escape. Does Calhoun make his break?
A couple of weak points in the story are covered up nicely by director Farrow's always reliable hand.
A good looking film with five time Oscar nominated, Franz Planer handling the cinematography. Planer is well known to noir fans for his work on, THE LONG WAIT, 99 RIVER STREET, THE SCARF, 711 OCEAN DRIVE, CHAMPION, THE CHASE and CRISS CROSS. He also was the d of p on BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS, THE CAINE MUTINY, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, ROMAN HOLIDAY and THE BIG COUNTRY.
Nice timewaster.
A small aircraft crashes just off the coast and two men manage to escape the wreckage and reach shore. The two, Stephen McNally and Rory Calhoun, though hand-cuffed together, engage in a good down and dirty kick and stomp fistfight. Calhoun gets the upper hand, gets the cuffs off and heads inland.
Just off the beach he runs into Jean Simmons, who with the help of a rifle, asks Calhoun what he is doing on her land. McNally, who has suffered a broken leg during the fight hobbles on to the scene. He informs Simmons that he is cop, and Calhoun a prisoner being taken in on murder charges.
Simmons takes the pair to a small isolated sheep ranch were her father, Brian Aherne, and herself live. They must stay for several days since a recent storm has wiped out the only road to town. While McNally is laid up, Calhoun starts putting the moves on Simmons hoping she will help him escape.
Simmons falls hard for the smooth talking Calhoun and the tension begins to build. It turns out that Calhoun is charged with the murder of McNally's brother. McNally just wants some revenge and hopes to bump off Calhoun when he tries his escape. Does Calhoun make his break?
A couple of weak points in the story are covered up nicely by director Farrow's always reliable hand.
A good looking film with five time Oscar nominated, Franz Planer handling the cinematography. Planer is well known to noir fans for his work on, THE LONG WAIT, 99 RIVER STREET, THE SCARF, 711 OCEAN DRIVE, CHAMPION, THE CHASE and CRISS CROSS. He also was the d of p on BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS, THE CAINE MUTINY, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, ROMAN HOLIDAY and THE BIG COUNTRY.
Nice timewaster.
Jean makes this worth seeing
jjnxn-17 August 2011
Not a western but an entertaining if improbable drama set in an isolated area in the west. Jean Simmons is full of guarded, wounded vulnerability, a very fine actress. She and Rory Calhoun make a surprisingly simpatico pairing. Stephen McNally's character is rather one note, a more distinctive actor could have perhaps fleshed it out but it doesn't hurt the film. Makes some observations about a man's true nature even if he has committed a criminal act. Brian Donlevy shows up near the end to act as a sort of catalyst for the resolution and is fine as always but the picture could have done without him. Not a classic but a solid film.
The film that questions which side of the law features the genuine bad guy.
mark.waltz29 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Powerful performances by a small ensemble cast (only four!) and an interesting psychological theme marks this film as quite worth seeking out. On my third viewing of this film, I questioned why I consider Jean Simmons to be one of my favorite movie actresses of all time, yet when I'm asked that question of who is on that list, her name momentarily escapes my mind. It's obviously because she's an absolute beauty who seems so approachable and real that her name and movie star don't seem to belong together in the same sentence.
In this film, she's absolutely stunning, both tough and vulnerable, and as the only woman in the film (not sure of her Lassie lookalike collie's gender), it's her character who without asking the question basically inquires the statement I make in my opening. She comes across two men in the beginning who have just been fighting. One is Rory Calhoun who is an admitted killer and the other is Stephen McNally, taking him to prison. The question arises when Simmons' father (Brian Aherne) arrives. Is Calhoun really a murderer even though he killed a man? Examining the circumstances may not exonerate Calhoun but Simmons is certain of his innocence of the charges.
While incidents of the actual crime are vaguely discussed, they are minor elements of the exposition, Calhoun claiming that he wanted to turn himself in, but not be taken back by McNally whom he is certain wants to kill him because of his becoming a deputy simply to capture Calhoun legally. In an earlier scene, Calhoun tries to take Simmons' rifle but is stopped by her dog. Later in the film, the collie seems to favor Calhoun over McNally. The romance that blossoms between Simmons and Calhoun develops naturally and obviously infuriates McNally. Aherne may not have the same amount of footage as the others, but he becomes the moral guide and provides the final judgment. Top notch performances, breathtaking color outdoor photography and a plot that makes the viewer think. Quite better than its title indicates.
In this film, she's absolutely stunning, both tough and vulnerable, and as the only woman in the film (not sure of her Lassie lookalike collie's gender), it's her character who without asking the question basically inquires the statement I make in my opening. She comes across two men in the beginning who have just been fighting. One is Rory Calhoun who is an admitted killer and the other is Stephen McNally, taking him to prison. The question arises when Simmons' father (Brian Aherne) arrives. Is Calhoun really a murderer even though he killed a man? Examining the circumstances may not exonerate Calhoun but Simmons is certain of his innocence of the charges.
While incidents of the actual crime are vaguely discussed, they are minor elements of the exposition, Calhoun claiming that he wanted to turn himself in, but not be taken back by McNally whom he is certain wants to kill him because of his becoming a deputy simply to capture Calhoun legally. In an earlier scene, Calhoun tries to take Simmons' rifle but is stopped by her dog. Later in the film, the collie seems to favor Calhoun over McNally. The romance that blossoms between Simmons and Calhoun develops naturally and obviously infuriates McNally. Aherne may not have the same amount of footage as the others, but he becomes the moral guide and provides the final judgment. Top notch performances, breathtaking color outdoor photography and a plot that makes the viewer think. Quite better than its title indicates.
Zounds! It's Shakespeare's "The Tempest" once again.
rudy-3020 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Let's see, a father and a daughter in a remote location. They are visited by strangers who arrived their by a transportation accident and stranded by a storm. The daughter falls in love with one of the men. One of the men is from a wealthy community some distance afar. Is this "The Tempest" or is it the prequel to "Forbidden Planet?" Jean Simmons can't help being beautiful even though she lives on a sheep farm in the mountains. Rory Calhoun is fine as an accused murderer. He has that Robert Mitchum style of beast and human schizophrenia. Brian Donlevy is also fine, though his part is brief and yet pivotal to the plot. The dialog is well written, and just when you think you've got it all figured out, a twist emerges.
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