''Lone Star'' is a 1952 American Western film starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner,

Broderick Crawford William Broderick Crawford (December 9, 1911 – April 26, 1986) was an American stage, film, radio, and television actor, often cast in tough-guy roles and best known for his Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Willie Stark in ''All t ...

Ed Begley Edward James Begley Sr. (March 25, 1901 – April 28, 1970) was an American actor of theatre, radio, film, and television. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film ''Sweet Bird of Youth'' (1962) an ...

, and

Lionel Barrymore Lionel Barrymore (born Lionel Herbert Blythe; April 28, 1878 – November 15, 1954) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in ''A Free Soul'' (1931) ...

(in his final role) as President Andrew Jackson. The film also marks the first (uncredited) screen appearance by then-13-year-old George Hamilton, playing beside Barrymore in the role of Jackson's servant. The movie is considered both a Western and a romance, set in Texas shortly before statehood.

Plot

Devereaux Burke ( Clark Gable) gets a personal request from former President Andrew Jackson (

) to facilitate the annexation of Texas into the United States. Opposition to annexation is gaining favor because it is mistakenly believed that Texas pioneer

Sam Houston Samuel Houston (, ; March 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863) was an American general and statesman who played an important role in the Texas Revolution. He served as the first and third president of the Republic of Texas and was one of the first two i ...

( Moroni Olsen) opposes statehood. The opposition leader is wealthy rancher Thomas Craden (

), but when Craden is ambushed by Comanches, Dev comes to his rescue. Dev and Craden travel to Austin, where they meet Martha Ronda ( Ava Gardner), who runs the local newspaper. Craden does not know Dev supports annexation when he invites him to a dinner he planned that night for a number of senators at his home. When the senators will not all agree to vote against annexation, Craden refuses them permission to leave. Dev is allowed to leave, but soon returns with a group of armed men to rescue the senators and reveal his support for annexation. The senators inform Dev that Sam Houston is on the other side of the Pecos River, negotiating a peace treaty with the Apache. Dev leaves to find Houston, but is followed by Craden. Dev and Craden find Houston with the Apache. Dev gets a signed letter from Houston telling of Houston's actual position, but the ink smears when Dev falls into a river while fleeing from Craden's men. Dev has difficulty persuading Martha that he is telling the truth, but after confirming the facts with Craden, she publishes the correct story about Houston's position. When the people of Austin are told the truth of Houston's position, they rally in support of annexation. Craden resorts to force to stop the Texas Congress from voting on annexation. Dev is called on to organize the defense of the Texas Congress. Craden attacks the fort-like congress building with several dozen armed men on horseback. Dev leads the defenders as they repulse two waves of attack, but the battle begins to turn against them during the third wave of attack. Houston arrives with the Apache just in time to end the battle before any senators are killed. Dev and Craden fight each other hand-to-hand until Dev knocks out Craden. Annexation succeeds, Craden concedes, and Dev wins Martha over and saves the day.

Cast

* Clark Gable as Devereaux Burke (alias, Mr. Bill Jones) * Ava Gardner as Martha Ronda *

as Thomas Craden *

as Andrew Jackson * Beulah Bondi as Minniver Bryan *

as Senator Anthony Demmet (credited as Claud Demmet) * James Burke as Luther Kilgore * William Farnum as Senator Tom Crockett * Lowell Gilmore as Captain Charles Elliot * Moroni Olsen as

* Russell Simpson as Senator Maynard Cole *

William Conrad William Conrad (born John William Cann Jr., September 27, 1920 – February 11, 1994) was an American actor, producer, and director whose entertainment career spanned five decades in radio, film, and television, peaking in popularity when he s ...

as Mizette * Lucius Cook as Seth Moulton * Ralph Reed as Bud Yoakum * Ric Roman as Gurau *

Victor Sutherland Victor Sutherland (February 28, 1889 – August 29, 1968) was an American stage, film, and television actor. Career Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Sutherland worked on stage and in motion pictures from the 1910s through the 1950s, when he al ...

as President Anson Jones * Jonathan Cott as Ben McCulloch * Charles Cane as Mr. Mayhew * Nacho Galindo as Vincente * Trevor Bardette as Sid Yoakum * Harry Woods as George Dellman * Dudley Sadler as Ashbel Smith * Emmett Lynn as Josh * George Hamilton as Noah (uncredited) * Mitchell Lewis as Senator (uncredited)

Reception

According to MGM records, the film made $2,478,000 in the US and Canada and $1,444,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $990,000.

References

External links

* * * * {{Vincent Sherman 1952 films American black-and-white films Films set in Texas Films shot in Colorado Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films Films directed by Vincent Sherman 1952 Western (genre) films American Western (genre) films Films scored by David Buttolph Films with screenplays by Howard Estabrook Films about Andrew Jackson American historical films 1950s historical films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films