Main Cast: James Stewart, Jean Hagen, Wendell Corey, Carl Benton Reid, Paul Stewart
Release Year: 1952
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
The tougher postwar screen image of James Stewart is given a good workout in the fact-based Carbine Williams. In 1952, the world at large knew Marsh Williams as the developer of the US Army's M-1 carbine rifle. The film builds up to this event by detailing Williams' previous existence as a bootlegger and embittered prison inmate, sentenced to 30 years at hard labor for killing a revenue agent. After enduring the rigors of chain-gang life and solitary confinement, Williams (Stewart) gets his mind off his troubles by dreaming up a new type of automatic-gun piston. He is encouraged in this endeavor by prison warden H. T. Peoples (Wendell Corey), previously Williams' bitterest enemy. As Williams continues to develop his innovative weaponry notions, his wife Maggie (Jean Hagen) and Warden Peoples try to overcome penal bureaucracy to win a pardon for Williams. Some TV prints of Carbine Williams have been colorized by computer; despite this artistically offensive practice, the strong dramatic and human values of the story still shine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
On the surface, a film about the man who created the M-1 carbine rifle doesn't sound too promising, but Carbine Williams turns out to be a good little picture. Carbine's story has a lot of natural drama in it, dealing as it does with a poor rural man, murder, and a long prison sentence. But what makes the story stand out a bit is the character of Carbine, a man who is in his own way exceedingly honest, very proud, conflicted, brooding and filled with deep feelings toward his wife. It's a strong role, and it turns out to be a perfect vehicle for Jimmy Stewart. By 1952, Jimmy Stewart was well into the "recreation" of Jimmy Stewart. No longer someone who was interested in simple "good guy" roles that took advantage of only one aspect of his talent, he had been playing more complicated roles in which a layer of darkness was always underneath the surface. He has a field day with Carbine, pumping real blood into this character and making him live and breathe as no other actor could have done. There's also a strong performance from Wendell Corey as his respectful nemesis, as well as a subtler but equally important turn from wife Jean Hagen. Throw in Richard Thorpe's surprisingly effective direction and the result is an intriguing and affecting film. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Otto Hulett - Mobley; Rhys Williams - Redwick Karson; Herbert Heyes - Lionel Daniels; James Arness - Leon Williams; Porter Hall - Sam Markley; Fay Roope - District Attorney; Ralph Dumke - Andrew White; Leif Erickson - Feder; Henry Corden - Bill Stockton; Frank Richards - Truex; Howard Petrie - Sheriff; Stuart Randall - Tom Venner; Dan Riss - Jesse Rimmer; Bobby Hyatt - David Williams; Willis B. Bouchey - Mitchell; Marshall Bradford; Harry V. Cheshire - Judge; Lillian Culver - Mrs. Laura Williams; Sam Flint; Robert Foulk - Torchy; Nolan Leary; Emile G. Meyer - Head Guard; Fiona O'Shiel - Mrs. Rimmer; George Pembroke - Board Member; Richard Reeves - Guard; Duke York; James Harrison - Trusty; Bob Alden - Messenger; Bert LeBaron; Jon Gardner - Mac Williams; Marlene Lyden - Mary Eloise Williams; Erik Nielsen - Child at Wedding
Credit
Cedric Gibbons - Art Director, Eddie Imazu - Art Director, Richard Thorpe - Director, Newell P. Kimlin - Editor, Conrad Salinger - Composer (Music Score), William C. Mellor - Cinematographer, Armand Deutsch - Producer, Art Cohn - Screenwriter
Carbine Williams is a 1952 Americandrama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring James Stewart. The film follows the life of its namesake, David Marshall Williams, who invented the operating principle for the M1 Carbine while in a North Carolina prison. The M1 Carbine was used extensively during World War II.
The film follows the life of David Marshall Williams (James Stewart), who invented the semi-automatic M1 Carbine used in World War II. Williams was found distilling illegal moonshine, and was held responsible for the death of a federal officer during a raid on his still. He was sentenced to thirty years Hard Labour. He cycled through the prison system, until a firm, but compassionate warden, H.T. Peoples (Wendell Corey) allowed him to work in a prison tool shop. There he invented the gas system for his famous rifle, and eventually was released from prison in 1929 and worked with Winchester Firearms on development of the M1 Carbine.
Rough Ridin' (with John P. McCarthy) •Rarin' to Go •Battling Buddy •Fast and Fearless •Hard Hittin' Hamilton •Rip Roarin' Roberts •Bringin' Home the Bacon •Thundering Romance •Gold and Grit •Full Speed •Fast Fightin' •On the Go •Double Action Daniels •Quicker 'n Lightnin' •Tearin' Loose •The Desert Demon •Saddle Cyclone •Galloping On •A Streak of Luck •The Last Card •The Roaring Rider •Trumpin' Trouble •The Fighting Cheat •Coming an' Going •The Twin Triggers •Deuce High •Easy Going •Rawhide •Speedy Spurs •Double Daring •The Dangerous Dub •Twisted Triggers •The Bonanza Buckaroo •College Days •Josselyn's Wife •The Bandit Buster •The First Night •The Cyclone Cowboy •Between Dangers •The Galloping Gobs •Tearin' Into Trouble •The Ridin' Rowdy •The Meddlin' Stranger •Pals in Peril •Skedaddle Gold •White Pebbles •The Interferin' Gent •The Soda Water Cowboy •Ride 'em High •The Obligin' Buckaroo •Roarin' Broncs •The Desert of the Lost •The Ballyhoo Buster •Desperate Courage •The Cowboy Cavalier •The Valley of Hunted Men •Saddle Mates •Flyin' Buckaroo •The Bachelor Girl •Border Romance
1930s
The Dude Wrangler •Wings of Adventures •The Thoroughbred •Under Montana Skies •The Utah Kid •The Lawless Woman •The Sky Spider •The Lady from Nowhere •Wild Horse •Grief Street •Neck and Neck •Forgotten Women •The Devil Plays •Cross Examination •Murder at Dawn •Probation •Escapade •The Midnight Lady •Forbidden Company •Beauty Parlor •Thrill of Youth •The King Murder •Slightly Married •Women Won't Tell •Secrets of Wu Sin •Forgotten •Love Is Dangerous •I Have Lived •Strange People •Notorious But Nice •A Man of Sentiment •Murder on the Campus •Rainbow Over Broadway •The Quitter •Stolen Sweets •City Park •Green Eyes •Cheating Cheaters •Secret of the Chateau •Strange Wives •Last of the Pagans •The Voice of Bugle Ann •Tarzan Escapes •Dangerous Number •Night Must Fall •Double Wedding •Man-Proof •Love Is a Headache •The First Hundred Years •The Toy Wife •The Crowd Roars •Three Loves Has Nancy •The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn •Tarzan Finds a Son!
