Shane (1953)

Director George Stevens' (A Place in the Sun, Giant) legendary rendition of the archetypal Western myth made Shane one of the enduring classics of American cinema. Based on Jack Schaeffer's novel, the story brings Alan Ladd (The Great Gatsby), a drifter and retired gunfighter, to the assistance of a homestead family terrorized by an aging cattleman and his hired gun (Jack Palance, The Lonely Man). In fighting the last, decisive battle, Shane sees the end of his own way of life. Mysterious, moody and atmospheric, the film is enhanced by the intense performances of it's splendid cast, featuring Jean Arthur (The Plainsman), Van Heflin (3:10 to Yuma) and Brandon deWilde (Hud). Shane earned 6 Academy Award nominations for 1953, including Best Motion Picture and Best Supporting Actor (for both Palance and deWilde), winning for it's now iconic Technicolor cinematography by Loyal Griggs.