Johnny Guitar

press release: USA | 1954 | 35mm | 110 min.

Director: Nicholas Ray; Cast: Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge

Strong-willed saloon-casino owner Vienna (Crawford) squares off against her nemesis: the shrieking Emma Small (McCambridge), who wrongly blames Vienna for her brother’s death. One of the most resonant of all westerns because of its Freudian, feminist, and anti-Red Scare hysteria themes, it’s also one of the most fun due to director Ray’s melodramatic flourishes and the incredible cast he assembled: Crawford, Hayden, Ernest Borgnine, Scott Brady, Ward Bond, and McCambridge, the screen’s other great Wicked Witch of the West.

Screenings mostly take place at 4070 Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue. Once-a-month Sunday afternoon screenings take place at the Chazen Museum of Art, 750 University Avenue. In accord with current UW Madison policies, masks are required for entry to our venues. All Cinematheque screenings are free and open to the public. Please visit our website for a complete listing of programs and descriptions.