The Gal Who Took the West

A journalist is writing an article on the O'Hara family of Arizona. They tell about the time in the 1890s when a girl, Lily, was caught in a feud between two O'Haras.

• Yvonne De Carlo as Lillian 'Lily' Marlowe
• Charles Coburn as Gen Michael O'Hara
• Scott Brady as Lee O'Hara
• John Russell as Grant O'Hara
• Myrna Dell as Nancy
• James Millican as Hawley
• Clem Bevans as Hawley (as old Timer)
• Robert R. Stephenson as Ted (as Bob Stevenson)
• Houseley Stevenson as Ted (as old Timer)
• Robin Short as Bartender
• Russell Simpson as Bartender (as old Timer)
• John Litel as Colonel Logan
• James Todd as Douglas Andrews
• Edward Earle as Mr. Nolan

The film was originally known as The Western Story. It was the idea of William Bowers, about three interpretations of a single incident in the life of a Western pioneer; it would be told in flashback from an old person's home. Bowers says he got the idea from reading an article in Life magazine about old gunfighters who lived in an old person's home in Prescott Arizona. Bowers was under contract to Universal at the time for $750 a week, and says he wrote the script in four weeks. Bowers says Billy Wilder wanted to buy the script for $100,000 and Universal were interested, but Bowers persuaded the studio to make the film themselves.{{cite book|page=37|title=The screenwriter looks at the screenwriter|last=Froug|first= William|year=1991 |publisher=Silman-James press }}

William Bowers and Robert Arthur were assigned to make it in December 1947.{{Cite news|title=Bowers and Arthur Will Do 'The Western Story,' Novel Film on Pioneers, for U-I|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Dec 13, 1947|work=New York Times|page=12}}

In April 1948, Deanna Durbin and Charles Coburn were announced for the lead roles.{{cite news|title=JOHNSON TO MAKE 'THE PURPLE MASK': Producer and U-1 Get Rights to Matheson Lang's Play -- Story of Napoleonic Era|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Apr 13, 1948|page=33}} Jerome Hines was signed for a support role.{{Cite news|title=20th to Seek Bergman; Valli Bid for Wine Epic|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=Apr 21, 1948|work=Los Angeles Times|page=23}}

By November, Durbin had dropped out and Universal replaced her with Yvonne De Carlo.{{Cite news|title=YVONNE DE CARLO GETS LEAD IN FILM: Takes Role in 'Western Story' in Place of Deanna Durbin -- De Cordova to Direct|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Nov 27, 1948|work=New York Times|page=11}} (Bowers says Susan Hayward was going to star but Universal decided to use their contracted talent "and it went right out the window") Stephen McNally and Howard Duff were given support roles.{{Cite news|title=F M. PAC KARD SIGNS PACT AT COLUMBIA: Son-in-Law of J. Arthur Rank Will Be Studio Producer -Two Directors Named|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Dec 2, 1948|work=New York Times|page=39}} They dropped out and were replaced by Scott Brady and John Russell (the latter borrowed from 20th Century Fox).{{Cite news|title=DE SYLVA WORKING ON MOVIE OF BARA: Discussing Deal With Columbia for Story on Actress' Life -- Hutton May Do Role|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Jan 21, 1949|work=New York Times|page=25}}

Filming started in February 1949. The film was retitled The Gal Who Took the West during editing.{{cite news|title=VAN JOHNSON GETS METRO FILM LEAD: Named for Role in Taurog's 'Please Believe Me' -- Color Firm Splits Its Stock|author=THOMAS F. BRADY |date=15 June 1949|page=39}}

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• {{IMDb title|id=0041400}}
• {{TCMDb title|75892}}

{{Frederick de Cordova}}

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Category:1949 films

Category:Films directed by Frederick de Cordova

Category:1949 Western (genre) films

Category:American Western (genre) films

Category:Universal Pictures films

Category:Films scored by Frank Skinner

Category:1940s American films