Great Day in the Morning 1956
"THE BUGLE BLAST that echoed thru history!"
Jacques Tourneur's 1956 Western *Great Day in the Morning* follows Owen Pentecost, a fiery Southerner who lands a Denver hotel in a high-stakes card game only to find himself caught between two women—and a city torn apart by the Civil War.
Director: Jacques Tourneur
Cast
Robert Stack
Owen Pentecost
Virginia Mayo
Ann Merry Alaine
Ruth Roman
Boston Grant
Alex Nicol
Captain Stephen Kirby
Raymond Burr
Jumbo Means
Leo Gordon
Zeff Masterson
Regis Toomey
Father Murphy
Carleton Young
Col. Gibson
Donald MacDonald
Gary John Lawford
Kermit Maynard
Southern Sympathizer (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Great Day in the Morning (1956) about?
The film centers on Owen Pentecost, a Southern gambler who inherits a Denver hotel only to face a moral crossroads as the Civil War erupts. Struggling to reconcile his Confederate ties with a Union-dominated town, he must decide between two women—and the very future of his livelihood.
Who directed Great Day in the Morning?
Jacques Tourneur, the visionary filmmaker behind classics like *Cat People* and *Out of the Past*, brought his signature atmospheric style to this Western.
Who stars in Great Day in the Morning?
Robert Stack leads the ensemble as Owen Pentecost, joined by Virginia Mayo and Ruth Roman as the women at the heart of his dilemma, with Alex Nicol and Raymond Burr adding depth to the frontier drama.
Is Great Day in the Morning (1956) worth watching?
As a well-crafted Western with strong performances and Tourneur's distinctive direction, it's a solid pick for fans of the genre. While it may not reach his noir masterpieces' heights, its blend of romance and historical tension makes it a compelling watch for classic film enthusiasts.
How long is Great Day in the Morning?
The film runs 92 minutes, offering a tight, engaging narrative perfect for a single sitting.
About Great Day in the Morning (1956) — A Western of war, love, and hard choices
Jacques Tourneur's 1956 Western *Great Day in the Morning* follows Owen Pentecost, a fiery Southerner who lands a Denver hotel in a high-stakes card game only to find himself caught between two women—and a city torn apart by the Civil War. As tensions rise between Union loyalists and Confederate stragglers, Pentecost must navigate loyalty, love, and survival in a town where his allegiances could make him a target. Tourneur, known for his atmospheric storytelling, crafts a tale of moral reckoning set against the backdrop of America's bloodiest conflict, blending personal drama with the sweeping scale of history.
With its sharp character dynamics and tense socio-political backdrop, the film delivers a gripping Western that transcends typical genre tropes. Stack's Pentecost is a man pulled in every direction—by ambition, desire, and the unrelenting march of war—while Mayo and Roman shine as the women shaping his fate. The result is a visually rich, emotionally charged narrative about choices that echo far beyond the battlefield.
