Showdown at Abilene 1956
"The blazing story of the great Abilene range war!"
Step back to the dusty streets of Abilene in 1865 with *Showdown at Abilene (1956)*, a taut Western directed by Charles F. Haas. The film follows Jim Trask, a former sheriff who returns home after serving with the Confederacy, only to discover he's been presumed dead.
Director: Charles F. Haas
Cast
Jock Mahoney
Jim Trask
Martha Hyer
Peggy Bigelow
Lyle Bettger
Dave Mosely
David Janssen
Verne Ward
Grant Williams
Chip Tomlin
Ted de Corsia
Dan Claudius
Harry Harvey
Ross Bigelow (as Harry Harvey Sr.)
Dayton Lummis
Jack Bedford
Richard H. Cutting
Nelson
Robert Anderson
Sprague (as Robert G. Anderson)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Showdown at Abilene (1956) about?
The film centers on Jim Trask, a former sheriff who returns to Abilene after the Civil War to find his old life in shambles. His former sweetheart is now engaged to a cattleman embroiled in a violent feud with farmers, and Trask is reluctantly drawn back into lawmen's boots while haunted by unresolved wartime secrets.
Who directed Showdown at Abilene?
Charles F. Haas directed this gritty Western, known for his work in B-movie action and adventure films during the 1950s.
Who stars in Showdown at Abilene?
The film stars Jock Mahoney, Martha Hyer, Lyle Bettger, David Janssen, and Grant Williams in pivotal roles.
Is Showdown at Abilene (1956) worth watching?
As a tight, 80-minute Western, *Showdown at Abilene* delivers solid entertainment for fans of classic frontier drama. Its themes of loyalty and vengeance, paired with a strong cast, make it a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in 1950s Westerns.
How long is Showdown at Abilene?
The film runs for 80 minutes.
About Showdown at Abilene (1956) — A Western Thriller of Revenge and Redemption in the Wild West
Step back to the dusty streets of Abilene in 1865 with *Showdown at Abilene (1956)*, a taut Western directed by Charles F. Haas. The film follows Jim Trask, a former sheriff who returns home after serving with the Confederacy, only to discover he's been presumed dead. His old friend Dave Mosely has since moved on, marrying Trask's former sweetheart and becoming a cattle baron locked in a bitter range war with local farmers. Pulled back into the fray, Trask must once again take up the badge, all while grappling with the unresolved ghosts of the Civil War—particularly the mysterious death of Mosely's brother. With its sharp focus on loyalty, vengeance, and the cost of justice, this 80-minute classic delivers a gripping tale of personal and political strife.
Haas crafts a mood of simmering tension, where every handshake could hide a knife and every word carries double meaning. The cast—led by Jock Mahoney's brooding Trask, Martha Hyer's conflicted sweetheart, and Lyle Bettger's antagonistic Mosely—delivers performances steeped in quiet intensity. The film's lean runtime keeps the action brisk, while its themes of betrayal and redemption resonate far beyond the frontier's edge.
