DVD Review: Man Without a Star (1955)
The first film Kirk Douglas made with his newly formed production company was a box office hit and netted a profit of over a million dollars -- big money in 1955. Kino Lorber has released this Technicolor production on DVD and blu ray.
The story deals with a drifter (Douglas) who meets a young hotshot cowhand (William Campbell) while hoboing on a train. They end up working on a Wyoming ranch owned by a woman (Jeanne Crain) who plans to start a range war with the townspeople. Since many are the drifter's friends, he is conflicted as to where he stands.
"Man Without a Star" was made at a time when Hollywood started making what were called "adult westerns." Unlike the B movies that had been popular with youngsters and now, in the 50s, were all over television, the adult western dealt with headier issues and often had a sexual component. The sexual tension between Douglas and his firm-but-attractive lady boss is palpable.
For his company's first production, Kirk Douglas carefully chose the right property. The screenplay is by Borden Chase and D.D. Beauchamp, while direction by King Vidor takes full advantage of the widescreen, Technicolor, and location scenery. Vidor knows how to balance his background and foreground whether in action scenes or the shot of a cattle drive set against a dark sky.
As the central figure, Douglas plays a man who isn't at all grounded, the title referring to the idea that every man has a star to follow, but this drifter is a man without a star. His buddy relationship with the boyish character played by Daniels is rewarding to the narrative's focus, with Daniels responding well to Douglas as the film's anchor. The characters have a dynamic that permeates the story and adds greatly to its entertainment value.
This is a western that has everything -- a good script, fine direction, and excellent performances by its principle leads. Jay C. Flippen, Richard Boone, Claire Trevor, and even a young Jack Elam are perfectly at home in this cinematic context.
The Kino blu ray offers an optional commentary by film historian and western movie expert Toby Roan that is typically informative, interesting, and enlightening.
The blu ray is available here: Man Without a Star