The Naked Spur Highlights James Stewart's Impact on Western Genre
Although far from his most well-known outing, The Naked Spur is considered one of James Stewart's greatest contributions to the Western genre. Despite gaining fame in romantic comedies and dramas in the 1940s, Stewart later became renowned as a great Western actor. In fact, some of the most memorable Westerns of the 1950s starred James Stewart.
Interestingly, a substantial portion of James Stewart's Westerns were made with just one director. Stewart was a favourite of Anthony Mann, a prominent Hollywood director at the time. During a five-year period from 1950 to 1955, Mann tapped Stewart to star in eight of his movies, five of which were Westerns. Their third collaboration produced a true gem in The Naked Spur, released in 1953. It still holds up today, with its 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating reflecting its exceptional quality.
The Naked Spur is a psychological Western where James Stewart faces off against Robert Ryan.
Robert Ryan plays the villain while Janet Leigh portrays the love interest.
The film pits Stewart’s character, Howard Kemp, against Ryan's Ben Vandergroat. Stewart plays Kemp, a soldier traumatized by his experience in the Civil War, who has become a bounty hunter. His mission is to capture Vandergroat, an outlaw running away with Janet Leigh’s Lina Patch. However, the story evolves beyond a typical cat-and-mouse chase, as Kemp catches Vandergroat early on.
This film showcases Stewart’s ability to transcend his typical "nice guy" persona to embody a nuanced and morally ambivalent character. The Naked Spur is more of an adventure story with strong psychological undertones. The narrative follows Kemp, his two allies, and their captive Vandergroat as they journey through the countryside, allowing the outlaw to confront his crimes.
Vandergroat is far from an obedient prisoner, as he manipulates Kemp and his companions in an attempt to escape, introducing a layer of psychological tension.
Kemp’s character, arguably one of Stewart’s darkest roles, reveals a depth not generally associated with the actor. The psychological conflict between Kemp and Vandergroat illustrates a darker side to Stewart, which may surprise viewers accustomed to his more wholesome roles. Although many of Stewart's characters grapple with inner struggles, the brutality depicted in The Naked Spur provides a unique opportunity for the actor to portray a man consumed by hatred and violent impulses, delivering one of his most compelling performances.
