Shane

[Doc Vernon]

Besides the old Biblical Movies that I really loved,there were of course the good Westerns as well,this one being an all time favourite of mine!
Well acted by Alan Ladd,with Jack Palance in a small role,another good Actor that came to fame later!
Cheers

[Roger Dyer]

Doc' old buddy, you've got to be kidding. Jack Palance....small part ???.....he may have had limited time in front of the camera, but in the context of this film, his part was BIG !!! The thought of 'Shane' without Palance is unthinkable. The visual menace he portrayed as the psychopathic killer, Wilson, was huge. The way he spoke and the exaggerated use of his facial muscles when he mouthed words of contempt to goad the pathetic, gutsy, 'reb', 'Stonewall' Torrey (Elisha Cook, jnr) just before he gunned him down and left him lying in the mud in front of the saloon. This would become a classic scene in the western genre, just like the one that comes later when Wilson (Palance) tries the same routine with Shane (Alan Ladd). Had, Wilson, but known it, every one in the cinema was on Shane's side, and as the two adversaries went for it and two .45 slugs from Shane's colt sent Wilson crashing backwards, he wouldn't have heard the silent cheer from those in the cinema (particularly kids) who witnessed his fall from grace. The film, although slow-paced is still regarded as one of the top western movies of all time. That final scene when Shane says goodbye to little Joey (Brandon de Wilde) and rides slowly away into a darkening sky, to the haunting music of 'The Call of the Faraway Hills'......and Joey's plaintive cry "Come back, Shane"... .......movie magic !!! Jack Palance.... a small part?...don't think so, mate. his performance in this film assured him of a future in Hollywood.

Roger

[Doc Vernon]

Thanks for Gunning me down Roger! LOL
Cheers

What I really meant was his part was not the main role,indeed he played a good villain !
As said his role in that would take him places.

[Captain Kong]

I think Jack Palance was the best ever actor for that part, So evil, it just seemed natural, not acting.
and that lad calling at the end. those words still echo.
"Shane, Shane, come back Shane"..........
Brian

[Roger Dyer]

Sadly, Brian, Brandon de Wilde didn't make old bones. Tragically, in July, 1972, he was fatally injured in a motor-cycle accident, aged 30. He used to hang out with The Beatles and Jim Morrison....need I say more? For his portrayal of Joey Starrett in 'Shane', de Wilde was nominated for 'Best Actor' at the 1953 Academy Awards, however he missed out to Sinatra's 'Maggio' in 'From Here to Eternity'. The film 'Shane' was actually made in 1951, but for some reason was not released until 1953. De Wilde was barely 9 years old when filmed in the part of Joey.

Roger

[happy daze john in oz]

Jack Palance like so many of those old time actors could bring a part to life like no other just by being there.