UW Cinematheque - Special Presentations and New Restorations

Strong-willed saloon-casino owner Vienna (Crawford) squares off against her nemesis: the shrieking Emma Small (McCambridge), who wrongly blames Vienna for her brother’s death. One of the most resonant of all westerns because of its Freudian, feminist, and anti-Red Scare hysteria themes, it’s also one of the most fun due to director Ray’s melodramatic flourishes and the incredible cast he assembled.