Western Specialty For a 50's Leading Man

Guy Madison Is The Hard Man (1957)

Guy Madison had hit big as Wild Bill Hickok on television. Could he topline a feature for theatres? That question was asked and answered using other cowboys off the tube: the Jims Garner and Arness, Fess Parker, others. They'd represent a second-tier of western leads, reliable support on bills where saddled-up Jim Stewart or John Wayne rode in front. Outdoor subjects done cheap enough were almost assured of profit; with a name of Madison's value, modest as it was, expense could be met. Columbia had an "old Arizona" town constructed years before in Tucson, familiar from heaven knows how many of their oaters, and that's where The Hard Man was lensed. Independent-producing "Romson" had been set up by Guy Madison and Helen Ainsworth, the latter an actress turned agent who partnered with Madison for three Romson pics Columbia distributed, these being The 27th Day (sci-fi) and Reprisal! in addition to The Hard Man. As humble westerns go, The Hard Man isn't bad. Variety liked it, and would boost Madison; indies generally found open arms among a trade that needed product. Columbia dealt for many such westerns and often as not bought negatives outright from suppliers following completion of agreed-upon films. Such parting gesture helped ventures like Romson to get out from under finance debt, hopefully take a profit, and move on to a next deal. In Ronsom's case, that would be with Steve Broidy at Allied Artists, where Guy Madison would star in the following year's Bullwhip.