The Westerner
Directed by William Wyler. 100 mins. (1940)
Gary Cooper - Cole Harden
Drifter Cole Harden is accused of stealing a horse and faces hanging by self-appointed Judge Roy Bean, but Harden manages to talk his way out of it by claiming to be a friend of stage star Lillie Langtry, with whom the judge is obsessed, even though he has never met her. Tensions rise when Harden comes to the defense of a group of struggling homesteaders who Judge Bean is trying to drive away.
Also starring Walter Brennan, Doris Davenport, Forrest Tucker, Chill Wills, Lilian Bond and Dana Andrews.
Classic western noteworthy for Walter Brennan's Oscar-winning performance as Judge Roy Bean, Brennan's third and last Oscar win.
Nominated for 3 Oscars winning Best Supporting Actor (Walter Brennan)
Tagline - The Raw Untamed Adventurous West... Lives Again!