At Gunpoint (1955)

• 63%
• 1955
• Western
• Alfred L. Werker
• Fred MacMurray
• Dorothy Malone
• Walter Brennan

The Dennis gang wants to rob the bank of the sleepy peaceful town of Plainview, Texas. Small town banks like this one have less money than large city banks but they're easy prey. Barlow, the gang's contact in town, assures them that Plainview only has an old marshal, Pete MacKay, who shouldn't pose any problem. The gang heads to Plainview. In town, storekeeper Jack Wright runs his store with wife Martha and brother-in-law Wally. Marshal MacKay and doctor Lacey are playing chess inside the store. Jack Wright makes his daily deposit at the bank and then returns to the store. The Dennis gang arrives and robs the bank, killing a teller and the alerted marshal. In the street, storekeeper Jack Wright picks the dead marshal's gun up and shoots fleeing robber Alvin Dennis, from a great distance. Townsman George Henderson finishes Alvin off with a shotgun. The bandit drops the loot and the bank recovers it. The townsfolk proclaim Jack Wright and George Henderson to be heroes. Storekeeper Jack Wright assures everyone that his shot from afar was a lucky one and that he's no marksman but no one believes him. His feat of marksmanship reaches the newspapers. The Amarillo Express praises Jack Wright and George Henderson and details the foiled bank robbery story. Incensed, the Dennis gang decides to return to town and avenge Alvin Dennis' death. The two town heroes are now in mortal danger. Upon hearing rumors about the gang's return, the town-folk panic, hide and refuse to be seen with either Jack or George. Instead of showing support for the two heroes, the citizens' committee advises Jack to sell his store and leave town for good. Jack refuses to run and gets ready for the imminent showdown with the Dennis gang.