“Everyone knows the film, but that was based on this novel by Donald Hamilton, who was born in Sweden, the son of a Swedish count who renounced his title when he emigrated to the U.S. Donald Hamilton graduated from the University of Chicago and served in the Navy during the second World War. He published 26 novels in the Matt Helm Series (anyone remember the Dean Martin movies?) from 1960-1992, as well as several other novels and magazine articles.
This story of an Eastern ship captain who comes west to marry the daughter of a powerful rancher has a subtle brilliance to it. Jim McKay finds himself, against his will, embroiled in a land and water dispute between his prospective father-in-law, Major Terrill, and Old Rufus Hannessey.
Jim runs into trouble with his bride and her father when he seemingly avoids every opportunity to prove his manhood with guns, fists, and horses. Jim's impatience with western ways seems cowardly, but he stubbornly follows his own path, eventually realizing that Pat Terrill's doubts about his manhood makes marriage to her an impossibility.
His growing friendship with Julie Maragon, Pat's best friend and owner of a crucial piece of land that both warring factions want because of the water that runs through it, eventually prompts Jim to purchase the land from Julie and make the water available to all. When Rufus Hannessey, unknowing of her sale of the land to Jim, kidnaps Julie, a violent showdown brews between Major Terrill and Rufus. Jim forces his way between the two factions, rescues Julie, and remains in Texas to marry her and build his own ranch.
The book was adapted into a mammoth technicolor motion picture with an all-star cast that included Gregory Peck, Carroll Baker, Jean Simmons, Charleton Heston, Charles Bickford, and Burl Ives. The film was nominated for several academy awards, won awards for best musical score and best supporting actor (Burl Ives), and brought Donald Hamilton's name to the attention of the public like none of his previous books had.
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CharmaineZoe wrote this review Wednesday, February 20 2008.
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