Five Guns West

Five Guns West is a 1955 Western film set during the American Civil War directed by Roger Corman. It was Corman's first film as director although he had already made three as producer. It was the second of two films he made for the American Releasing Company, which later became American International Pictures.

The film stars Dorothy Malone, John Lund and Mike Connors. The cast also includes R. Wright Campbell, who wrote the screenplay.

Plot
Five men, due to be hanged, accept a pardon to join the Confederate army due to the army being desperate for men during the last days of the American Civil War. Their tasks is to go after a traitor and a shipment of stolen gold. They end up taking a woman, Shalee Jethro, captive and begin fighting over her, before one of the men, Govern Sturges, intervenes on her behalf.

Cast

 * John Lund as Govern Sturges
 * Dorothy Malone as Shalee Jethro
 * Touch Connors as Hale Clinton
 * R. Wright Campbell as John Candy
 * Jonathan Haze as Billy Candy
 * Paul Birch as J.C. Haggard
 * James Stone as Uncle Mike
 * Jack Ingram as Stephan Jethro
 * Larry Thor as Confederate Captain

Production
This movie was Dorothy Malone's first film following the death of her younger brother.

R. Wright Campbell was paid $200 to write the script; his first screenplay.

Corman served as producer and director to save money. It was announced he was directed as well in November 1954.

R. Wright Campbell acted in addition to the screenplay duties. This marked the first time Corman worked with long time collaborator Floyd Crosby.

It was shot over nine days. Corman reportedly went over budget making the movie.

Campbell and Corman later made The Secret Invasion using the same basic idea.

Reception
DVD Savant found "The movie is less interesting for its quality than its place in the development of independent production. " TV Guide gave the movie 2 out of 5 stars, finding it similar to other westerns of the time. Variety found the movie acceptable for smaller venues,but found it to have too much talking and not enough action

Home release
The movie is available on line for free from several sites, including YouTube, and released on DVD in 2003