Firecreekmade it possible for audiences to see what it would have been like hadHigh Noonbeen a James Stewart Western. Easily one of themost iconic Westerns of all time,High Noonis Gary Cooper’s best-known work in Hollywood. Released in 1952,High Noonstarred Cooper and Grace Kelly in a Western tale that wound up with a slew of Academy Award nominations and wins.
Directed by Fred Zinnemann,High Noonreceived praise for its unique take on the Western formula. In the movie, Cooper plays married town marshal Will Kane, who realizes that he’s completely on his own against a gang of outlaws. Will’s story sees him try to rally the townspeople to help, but his neighbors and friends aren’t willing to take a stand. It’s a darker look at the setting than manyWestern movies of the 1950sprovided, but the arc it offered to its male and female lead characters made it a special entry into the genre. However, it’s far from only movie to take this route.
Firecreek Borrows Heavily From High Noon
Firecreek Almost Feels Like A High Noon Remake But With James Stewart
16 years later, James Stewart starred inFirecreek, a Western that paired him with fellowWestern icon Henry Fonda. Stewart took on the role of Johnny Cobb, a sheriff who has earned his livelihood without really having to do much to keep the peace in his small town. That changes when a group of outlaws (led by Henry Fonda’s Bob Larkin) come onto the scene, prompting Johnny to step up and try to be courageous. But much like Will Kane inHigh Noon, he finds that the people who he has called his friends for years don’t share his interest in ridding the town of the criminals.
Even the showdown at the end of the film between Johnny and Larkin draws comparisons toHigh Noon,specifically in regards to how the film’s female main character plays a hand in the villain’s downfall.
From start to finish,the James Stewart Westernmakes no secret of the influence it’s taken fromHigh Noon. Johnny Cobb’s journey perfectly mirrors that of Will Kane’s, with the supporting cast of characters evidently being inspired by the townsfolk inHigh Noon. Even the showdown at the end of the film between Johnny and Larkin draws comparisons toHigh Noon,specifically in regards to how the film’s female main character plays a hand in the villain’s downfall.
Firecreek Proves James Stewart Would Have Been A Great Fit For High Noon
Though it did not earn the critical acclaim thatHigh Noondid in the 1950s,Firecreekexists as proof of how well Stewart suits this type of story. While that’s not to say that he should have been cast inHigh Noonover Gary Cooper, it feels like a story almost tailor-made for Stewart, an actor renowned for his ability to play likable everymen who just want to do the right thing.
James Stewart & John Wayne Both Had Their Genre-Defining Westerns In The Same Year
Within the same year, both John Wayne and James Stewart, two of the biggest Westerns stars of all time, had their breakthrough movies in the genre.
Similar to the majority of Stewart’s characters, Will Kane isn’t perceived as the typical Western tough guy in the same vein as John Wayne’s Ringo Kid or Clint Eastwood’s The Man With No Name. Rather, he’s a much more subdued person, someone who who feels forced into action. ThroughFirecreek, Stewart demonstrates that he too could have played this iconic Western hero.
Firecreek
Cast
Firecreek is a Western film featuring a peace-loving, part-time sheriff played by James Stewart. Set in the small town of Firecreek, the story unfolds as the sheriff faces a moral dilemma when a gang of outlaws, led by Henry Fonda’s character, takes control of the town.
