The Shootist( 1976)

TV-MAWestern

70%

User
Score

He's got to face a gunfight once more to live up to his legend once more. To win just one more time.

Overview

Afflicted with a terminal illness John Bernard Books, the last of the legendary gunfighters, quietly returns to Carson City for medical attention from his old friend Dr. Hostetler. Aware that his days are numbered, the troubled man seeks solace and peace in a boarding house run by a widow and her son. However, it is not Books' fate to die in peace, as he becomes embroiled in one last valiant battle.

Top Billed Cast

John Wayne
J.B. Books
Lauren Bacall
Bond Rogers
Ron Howard
Gillom Rogers
James Stewart
Dr. Hostetler
Richard Boone
Mike Sweeney
Hugh O'Brian
Jack Pulford
Bill McKinney
Jay Cobb
Harry Morgan
Marshall Thibido
John Carradine
Beckum
Sheree North
Serepta
Rick Lenz
Dobkins
Scatman Crothers
Moses
Gregg Palmer
Burly Man
Alfred Dennis
Barber
Dick Winslow
Streetcar Driver
Melody Thomas Scott
Girl on Streetcar
Kathleen O'Malley
School Teacher
Jack Berle
Man Outside Metropole (uncredited)
Johnny Crawford
Books' Victim in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
Chuck Dawson
Extra (uncredited)
George Dunn
Man Delivering Headstone (uncredited)
Duke Fishman
Barfly (uncredited)
Christopher George
Books' Victim in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
Jonathan Goldsmith
Books' Victim (uncredited)
Leo Gordon
Books' Victim in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
Charles G. Martin
Murray the Bartender (uncredited)
Jim Michael
Barfly (uncredited)
Ernesto Molinari
Barfly (uncredited)
Darren Patrick Moloney
Paper Boy (uncredited)
Ricky Nelson
Books' Fellow Lawman in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
James Nolan
Gambler (uncredited)
Nick Raymond
Barfly (uncredited)
Henry Slate
Pulford Confidant (uncredited)
Bob Steele
Books' Victim in Flashback (archive footage / uncredited)
Ralph Volkie
White-Haired Bartender (uncredited)
John Zimeas
Barfly (uncredited)

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Review 3Discussion

A review by John Chard

Written by John Chard on Wed May 29 2019

The big man bows out and leaves an indelible mark. Legendary gunfighter J.B. Books rides into Carson City, diagnosed with terminal cancer he has a short time to live. After taking a room at the widow Bond Rogers' house, he becomes something of a mentor to Bond's son, Gillom. Dignified, eloquent, perhaps even incredibly sad, The Shootist mirrors John Wayne's personal situation and closes his career (and life) with a poignant last hurrah. Based around the popular novel from Glendon Swarthout (Where The Boys Are), and directed by the astutely knowing Don Siegel (The Duel at Silver Creek), Th...