Showdown at Abilene is a movie from 1956 that teleports the audience into a world filled with conflicts and heated emotions. Focusing primarily on the protagonist, a former sheriff named Jim Trask, this film offers a glimpse into the post-Civil War feuds flourishing in Trask’s hometown. With intricate character portrayal, the audience gets a chance to grasp the complicated dynamics of love, friendship, and rivalry embedded within the narrative.
Where it Filmed?
The filming of Showdown at Abilene took place at multiple locations in California, USA. Among these locations, Agoura and the Morrison ranch in Agoura were central to creating the film’s authentic Western ambiance. A portion of filming also transpired in the Universal Studios situated in Universal City, California, USA. The filming process commenced on September 14, 1955.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Jock Mahoney | Jim Trask |
| Martha Hyer | Peggy Bigelow |
| Lyle Bettger | Dave Mosely |
| David Janssen | Verne Ward |
| Grant Williams | Chip Tomlin |
| Ted de Corsia | Dan Claudius |
| Dayton Lummis | Jack Bedford |
| Richard H. Cutting | Nelson |
| John Maxwell | Frank Scovie |
| Lane Bradford | Loop |
| Eric Alden | Cattleman (uncredited) |
| Jean Andren | Wife (uncredited) |
| Frank Chase | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| Billy Dix | Rock Thrower (uncredited) |
| Harold Goodwin | Cattleman (uncredited) |
| Frank Hagney | Roughneck (uncredited) |
| Chuck Hamilton | Barfly (uncredited) |
| Chuck Hayward | Roughneck (uncredited) |
| Anthony Jochim | Frobisher (uncredited) |
| Paul Kruger | Townsman at Window (uncredited) |
| Kenneth MacDonald | Jay Ingles (uncredited) |
| Monte Montague | Will Moore (uncredited) |
| Pauline Moore | Wife (uncredited) |
| William H. O’Brien | Townsman at Window (uncredited) |
| Cynthia Patrick | Chip’s Wife (uncredited) |
| Alex Sharp | Roughneck (uncredited) |
| Tom Steele | Roughneck (uncredited) |
| Jack Tornek | Townsman (uncredited) |
| Rusty Wescoatt | Roughneck (uncredited) |
| Bud Wolfe | Roughneck (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- The film got its inspiration from a feud that emerged post-Civil War, in Abilene, which was brought to life using a stellar cast including Jock Mahoney, Martha Hyer, and Lyle Bettger.
- Showdown at Abilene achieved a sense of realism through its accurately constructed sets that reflected the era in which the film sets.
- The film is infused with moments carrying an eerie undertone resulting from unresolved issues lingering from the Civil War.
- Directed by Charles F. Haas, an interesting fact associated with the film is that he had David Janssen, a young actor at the time, lean against a door in every scene to prevent him from outshining Jock Mahoney.
- Showdown at Abilene was later remade as Gunfight in Abilene in 1967.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Morrison Ranch, Agoura, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.1624466
- Longitude: -118.7215457
- Place ID: ChIJkVai9Ncm6IARo_IKZR7LU4Q
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Morrison Ranch Rd, California 91302, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.1370713
- Longitude: -118.3533061
- Place ID: ChIJzzgyJU–woARcZqceSdQ3dM
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
