Woman They Almost Lynched

Woman They Almost Lynched is a 1953 American Western film directed by Allan Dwan and written by Steve Fisher. The film stars John Lund, Brian Donlevy, Audrey Totter, Joan Leslie, Ben Cooper, James Brown, and Nina Varela. The film was released on March 20, 1953, by Republic Pictures.

Quentin Tarantino called this his favorite Dwan film, in part because of the "thrilling stagecoach robbery" shot by William Witney.

Plot
Civil War factions along the Arkansas-Missouri border are warned by Border City's mayor, Delilah Courtney, to stay five miles from her neutral town or risk arrest. Quantrill, a former Confederate officer gone rogue, brings his gang of marauders to the region, including wife Kate, whom he kidnapped from Border City two years ago.

Another new arrival is Sally Maris, who has traveled from Michigan to join her brother, Bitterroot Bill, the owner of a saloon. Kate takes an immediate dislike to Sally and challenges her to a fight, which Sally wins, then a gunfight, where Sally also surprises Kate with her skill with a weapon. Bill is killed, and has left behind so many debts, Sally must stay to run the business.

Quantrill's interest in a mine, owned by Delilah, pits him against foreman Lance Horton, who is secretly a Confederate spy. Sally falls in love with Lance, who is wounded in a gunfight. After saving Kate's life during the melee, the women join forces. Sally prevents the arrest of Lance by claiming to be the spy herself. She is about to be hanged by vigilantes, but Kate reveals the truth, then rides off with the men in hot pursuit, saving Sally.

Cast

 * John Lund as Lance Horton
 * Brian Donlevy as Charles Quantrill
 * Audrey Totter as Kate Quantrill / Kitty McCoy
 * Joan Leslie as Sally Maris
 * Ben Cooper as Jesse James
 * James Brown as Frank James
 * Nina Varela as Mayor Delilah Courtney
 * Ellen Corby as First Townswoman
 * Fern Hall as Second Woman
 * Minerva Urecal as Mrs. Stuart
 * Jim Davis as Cole Younger
 * Reed Hadley as Bitterroot Bill Maris
 * Ann Savage as Glenda
 * Virginia Christine as Jenny
 * Marilyn Lindsey as Rose
 * Nacho Galindo as John Pablo
 * Dick Simmons as Army Captain
 * Gordon Jones as Yankee Sergeant
 * Frank Ferguson as Bartender
 * Post Park as Stagecoach Driver
 * Tom McDonough as Quantrill's Henchman
 * Richard Crane as Yankee Lieutenant
 * Carl Pitti as Bourreau
 * Joe Yrigoyen as Prisoner Guard
 * Jimmy Hawkins as Malcolm Stuart
 * James Kirkwood, Sr. as Old Man
 * Paul Livermore as Bill Anderson