Star in the Dust

The 1956 American Western film directed by Charles F. Haas, based on Lee Leighton's novel "Law Man," follows Sheriff Bill Jorden (John Agar) in the town of Gunlock as he prepares to execute Sam Hall (Richard Boone), convicted of murdering three farmers. Hall was hired by cattlemen to eliminate the farmers to expand grazing lands. The sheriff faces pressure from both sides: farmers demand immediate execution fearing the cattlemen will rescue Hall, while cattlemen attempt to prevent the hanging to conceal their involvement. Hall plans an escape with his girlfriend Nellie Mason (Coleen Gray), who receives letters from him implicating George Ballard (Leif Erickson), a prominent cattleman and brother of the sheriff's fiancée, Ellen Ballard (Mamie Van Doren), in orchestrating the murders. Ellen, upon discovering her brother's crimes, seeks to thwart his plans. On the day of the execution, despite the cattlemen's attempts to disrupt it, including setting the gallows on fire, the sheriff maintains order. In the climax, after a shootout and Ballard's exposure, Hall is hanged, and the culpable cattlemen are brought to justice. The film is also notable for featuring Clint Eastwood in his first Western role as a ranch hand named Tom.