Probably one of the most original ideas for a b-western I have ever come across. Despite having all the other trappings of a b-movie, (the female saloon keeper romantic lead, the bad rich guy and his gang, the philosophical drifter etc) the basic idea, the focus on the gun of a famous (now deceased) killer and whether or not it gives its owner supernatural speed on the draw makes for an unexpected psychological thriller.Don't misunderstand me, this is not a great movie, its nowhere near as well realised as it should be and a terrific idea is poorly served. Still, if ever a movie deserved to be revisited, this is it. Here's hoping Tarantino or someone comes across it one of these days.

I really enjoyed this movie it seemed to have a different flavor than most of the B westerns of that day. Pretty good acting and unusual plot. The only thing I can't understand is why did they call the gun a Colt Wesson 44. Did Colt and Wesson ever collaborate and make a .44 caliber hand gun? I've searched Google until my fingers are sore:-) I can find no references to a Colt Wesson .44. So I'm wondering why was there none made or was it such a rare gun that the complete Google catalog has no info on it? That didn't ruin the movie for me at all and then they mentioned a 7 shot revolver when Pinch was to be hired and the man (can't remember his name) but he was the partner in the saloon any way he said make sure and use a 7 shot pistol 1 more than the 44. I didn't know there were any 7 shot guns back then either. Anyone have any info on these 2 questions?

This was my first look at Macdonald Carey and I can't say I was very impressed with his role as the gunman who cleans up Dutch Flats. He showed none of the charisma of a Western hero, and it didn't help that the mystique of his quick gun hand was regarded as some kind of supernatural hex placed on his Colt Wesson .44. The film could have gotten a little more mileage out of that plot element but it really didn't get the right treatment. I got the same impression as a prior reviewer on this board, and quite independently came up with a 'Twilight Zone' type link between the gun and the spooky music that celebrated each victim. The romantic link with Audrey Totter's character also didn't seem quite right to me; at least Smith (Carey) figured out that she was really the one pulling the strings against the Corleys. You know what really struck me as supernatural though? How did old man Corley know Smith/Yancey gunned his boys down when he just got in to town?

Man or Gun is an interesting film, which is unusual as most 1950s B Westerns are definitely not very interesting, most being retreads of earlier, better films. However, in this film there is inventive camera work with interesting angles and crane shots, an intelligent plot, a good use of music, sound and silence, and decent acting. It is all the more the unusual as being well directed by a man whose career was comprised of 9 films all directed in a single 5 year period (1956-1961), Albert Gannaway. While not a great film, it is a good one.The plot involves Fran Dare (Audrey Totter), a saloon owner, and her partner manipulating a fast drawing stranger (Macdonald Carey) with a gun that holds a growing superstitious significance to those around him. He is used to wrest control of the town from the Corleys and to extract some measure of revenge for Fran, whose father had been killed by the Corleys. The town's aged sherriff spends his time in his office, playing checkers, trying to avoid trouble, and swearing that since he had been in office there had been "no killings, only legal shootouts".Both Audrey Totter and Macdonald Carey had long careers, both appearing in over 50 films and in various televisions series.The film has more the feel of the great physcological westerns of the 1950s than your standard Randolph Scott oater.The final 20 minutes of the movie include an inventive gunfight at a farmhouse and a well done climax.