MovieChat Forums > 3:10 to Yuma (1957) Discussion > Just saw the movie tonight then read the...

Just saw the movie tonight then read the short story

posted 18 years ago by mickya
5 replies | jump to latest

I have always been a big fan of Elmore Leonard and have read many of his books. Recently, I bought a collection of his western novels that he wrote in the 50s. After watching 3:10 to Yuma again tonight, I immediately read the short (as in 12 pages) story. The names of the Ford and Heflin characters are different in the 1953 story, but some of the minor character's names (Bob Moons and Charlie Prince) are the same. The women of the film are absent in the short story.

Heflin's character in the story is a marshall, though. Ford's character is age 21. Much of the story's dialouge remains in the movie (which was also written by Elmore Leonard). The ending is similar to the movie, but not quite the same.

I actually preferred the film version of 3:10 to Yuma. The slower pace adds to to the suspense and the extended dialogue, always a fine feature in Leonard's stories, adds much to character development. The chemistry between Ford and Heflin is much more evident in the film. The short story seems choppy and rushed. It just didn't flow as well as the movie did.

[–] karel-leermans 17 years ago

Elmore Leonard is more known than the writer of "High Noon".
Yes, is there no ressemblance with that other movie "High Noon" (1952) with Gary Cooper? It is based on a story by John W. Cunningham "The Thin Star".
There there is also one person who is not helped by his townfellows and there is also a meeting at the train station with bandits. The film has it own morality of the strong, lonely cowboy who stands against evil.

[–] bethsuek 17 years ago

Much of the story's dialouge remains in the movie (which was also written by Elmore Leonard).

Leonard wrote only the short story, not the screenplay.

[–] honeybear133 17 years ago

Just saw the Russell Crowe movie and just rented the Glenn Ford movie. As you know, the endings are completely different. We were wondering what the ending of the short story was.

[–] mickya 17 years ago

Below is a spoiler to the end of the short story:

The lawman (Scallen in the story) and the outlaw (Jim Kidd in the story) approached the train at the station. Charlie Prince and the rest of the outlaw gang were waiting in cover.

Scallen pointed a scattergun to Kidd's back and orders Kidd to tell them to come out in the open. The train whistled as it was ready to leave for Yuma. As they hurried to the train, Prince tells them to stand where they are and to throw the gun away. All 6 of the outlaws were standing near them.Scallen knew he was afraid like never before but kept his cool. He kept his eye steadily on Prince and when Prince yelled "Get down" to Kidd, Scallen squeezed both triggers as Kidd hit the ground. Prince clutched his chest as he went down. Scallen immediately dropped the shotgun and pulled out his Colt, shooting another outlaw. The other outlaws took cover while Kidd was crawling frantically on the ground. Scallen grabbed Kidd and they ran toward the slowly moving train as the outlaws shot at them. Scallen and Kidd leapt up on the train.

Kidd stretched out on the floor while Scallen stood next to the door. Kidd said "You know, you really earn your hundred and a half. Scallen smiled at Kidd. He was thinking the same thing.

[–] jamesroo 16 years ago

12 pages really short story.had to cramp story really bad compared to movie.