1. High Noon The western genre begins

2.  Directed by Fred Zinnemann –Also directed “From Here To Eternity”  Written by Carl Foreman –Also wrote “The Bridge On The River Kwai”, which he won an Oscar for.  Based on short story “The Tin Star” by John Cunningham  Gary Cooper stars as Kane –Won oscar for this role  Lloyd Bridges stars as Deputy Harvey Pell –Also starred in “Hot Shots! Part Deux”

3.  Grace Kelly stars as Amy Kane –Also starred in “Rear Window”  Lon Chaney Jr. stars as Martin Howe –Most famous for “The Wolfman”  When black smoke is seen from train that means brakes are failing. –Director and cameraman barely got out of way  Allegory for those against blacklisting actors during McCarthy period.  The expression on Kane’s face throughout film was due to a bleeding ulcer.

4.  Rumored to be in real time.  Lee Van Cleft’s first film (Colby) –He never had a line in the entire film.  Director fought to never have the film colorized, until death.  Role of Kane originally to offered to Gregory Peck.  Fight scene between Cooper and Bridges, Bridges son Beau was seen in the loft.  John Wayne complained film was unpatriotic to Old West.  Screened at White House more than any other.

5.  John Wayne would complain that he wasn’t offered role, when receiving Cooper’s oscar.  Little to no makeup on Cooper’s face to show his natural lines of worry.  Took 32 days to shoot the film  There were 10 days of rehearsal  Director meticulously planned 400 shots in only 4 weeks.  Director wanted it to look hot and stark so cinematographer did so by not filtering the sky and making some prints lighter.

6.  Only took 1 to 3 takes between scenes.  Cooper didn’t use a stunt double for fight scene.  “Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’” was first song to win Oscar that wasn’t from a musical.  NOW STUDY HARD