Warlock is a 1959 Western film directed by Edward Dmytryk, starring Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda, Anthony Quinn, Dorothy Malone, and DeForest Kelley.
The town of Warlock, Utah brings in a famous gunman to solve their problems with a gang of cowboys.
Tropes in this film include:
- Bling-Bling-BANG!: Blaisedell's gold-handled Colts are lampshaded and mocked...but also extremely shiny and cool.
- Bystander Syndrome: Deconstructed and averted over the course of the movie. The need for outside imposition of law and order is negated when the citizens of Warlock appoint, and back up, their legal Marshal.
- Cowardly Lion: Johnny Gannon is afraid of dying, like any man...but he'll stand up for the Law in the face of near-certain death, anyway.
- Even Evil Has Standards: McQuown's beating of Johnny Gannon visibly disturbs even the other San Pabloites.
- In the Back: the San Pabloites have a habit of doing this.
- Love Redeems: Lily's relationship with Johnny Gannon allows her to move on past her desire for revenge on Morgan.
- Loosely Based On A True Story: The plot vaguely maps to the Wyatt Earp/Tombstone saga.
- One-Word Title: It's titled just Warlock.
- The Place: Warlock is the name of the town the story takes place.
- Quick Draw: Blaisedell and Morgan are the fastest guns around.
- Revenge by Proxy: Lily has been trying to kill Blaisedell...because that's the only way she can hurt Morgan.
- Snark Knight: Lily can't refrain from bitter sarcasm, even when it's not helpful.
- Victory Through Intimidation: Blaisedell (and the Citizen's Committee) hold off a lynch mob at gunpoint.
