Run for Cover

A western set in the American West. Matt Dow meets a young man named Davey on the road and they ride towards town together. There has been a train robbery on that line the same day. The townspeople take them for the robbers and open fire. Davey is hit; his leg is crippled. When the mistake is cleared up the town apologises and offers Matt the sheriff's job. He accepts and makes Davey his deputy. Davey does not recover. He cannot walk, he is angry and he blames the town. Matt tries to be a father to him. Where the film goes is that relationship. Matt carries a prison term in his own past and wants to give the young man a second chance; Davey takes another road. At the centre is a question: is trusting someone enough to make them good. James Cagney plays Matt, John Derek plays Davey and Viveca Lindfors the woman. Nicholas Ray directed. It was shot in colour for the wide screen, with the exteriors in mountain country. The film is among the director's lesser known works; even so the father and son relationship and the young man's anger connect directly to themes in his other films. A solid choice for anyone who likes classic westerns and character drama. For a viewer expecting dense action, the film is more interested in relationships than in gunfights.