Run for Cover 1955
"The story of a man apart... who brought faith to a youth, love to a woman, justice to a land!"
Directed by the bold stylist Nicholas Ray, *Run for Cover (1955)* blends Western grit with a raw, human story set in a sun-baked frontier town.
Director: Nicholas Ray
Cast
James Cagney
Matt Dow
Viveca Lindfors
Helga Swenson
John Derek
Davey Bishop
Jean Hersholt
Mr. Swenson
Grant Withers
Gentry
Jack Lambert
Larsen
Ernest Borgnine
Morgan
Ray Teal
Sheriff
Irving Bacon
Scotty
Trevor Bardette
Paulsen
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Run for Cover (1955) about?
A former criminal turned unexpected sheriff faces his past while trying to bring order to a lawless town. Alongside a young deputy with his own flaws, he must navigate betrayal, love, and the violent struggle for justice in the Old West.
Who directed Run for Cover?
Nicholas Ray directed this 1955 Western drama, bringing his signature blend of moral complexity and visual intensity to the frontier setting.
Who stars in Run for Cover?
The film features a powerhouse cast including James Cagney as the ex-con sheriff, Viveca Lindfors as the compelling love interest, and John Derek in the role of the troubled deputy.
Is Run for Cover (1955) worth watching?
With its strong performances and thematic depth, *Run for Cover* offers more than just horseback chases—it's a character study wrapped in classic Western trappings. Fans of Nicholas Ray's work or Cagney's intense screen presence will find plenty to appreciate here.
How long is Run for Cover?
The film runs for 93 minutes, offering a tight, engaging narrative perfect for a single viewing session.
About Run for Cover (1955) — A Gritty Western Drama of Redemption and Second Chances
Directed by the bold stylist Nicholas Ray, *Run for Cover (1955)* blends Western grit with a raw, human story set in a sun-baked frontier town. James Cagney stars as an ex-convict searching for redemption, unexpectedly thrust into the role of sheriff alongside his reluctant young partner, played by John Derek. The film's themes of second chances and hard-won justice collide with the harsh realities of a land still finding its moral footing.
Viveca Lindfors brings depth to the narrative as a woman caught between loyalty and survival, while the town's moral decay tests both the lawman's resolve and the bonds he's just beginning to form. Ray's signature visual intensity and Cagney's magnetic intensity turn this into more than a simple Western—it's a character-driven drama about the cost of change and the fragile hope that flickers even in the darkest corners of the West.
