)
1960 – THE REBEL: The Hunted
Johnny Yuma: Nick Adams
Deputy: Morgan Sha'an
Roy Keller: Yale Wexler
Mrs. Molly Keller: Arline Sax
Mrs. Colburn: Dorothy Adams
Judge: Chuck Hamilton
Sheriff: Len Weinrib
Trapper: Nick Dennis
Johnny Yuma arrives in a town where he knows that his friend, Jim Colburn, is held for murder. He is sure his friend would never have committed murder and tries to convince the deputy, because the sheriff is out of town. By now the murder has been confessed by the real murderer, a member of the Dalton gang. But too late: Having had all towns people against him and fearing for his life, Jim had broken out of jail. And the posse pursuing him is still believing that Jim has committed the murder.
On the run Jim tries to find help and support in his friend's house,
at the Keller family.
)
While
his friend seems undecided, his wife fears of their safety and urges her husband not to get
involved, believing Jim has killed the person. Not wanting toget in trouble the friend sends
him away.
Jim is desperate but leaves understanding his friend's feelings. More desperate,
the posse after him, exhausted from running and in fear for his life, Jim comes
across a trapper's place. He wants to ask for a horse, but the trapper refuses
and threatens him with his gun. In the struggle the trapper's leg
is injured by a kick of the horse.
Johnny gets the information from the trapper in
which direction Jim has left, but also clearly sees the hate in
the man, who fears for his chance of income and living conditions
when he thinks of the oncoming hunting season - with an injured leg. )
In another town, Johnny learns that the posse has turned and is
ready to ride back, because they have by now gotten the information
that one of the Daltons have committed the murder – without caring
for Jim or riding after him to tell him about it. Passing a little Mexican farm, Jim desperately tries to get
money or something to eat. He's willing to pay back, to explain why
he needs money urgently, but is in a hurry to safe his life and taken
for a criminal as he's surprised by the Mexican farmer and his wife.
After a struggle the elderly Mexican man is accidentally hurt and an
unfortunate incident causes the house to burn down.
)
In a forest Johnny has caught up with his friend. First Jim
cannot believe that his innocence is proven. As he believes his
friend his anger takes over. He was believed to be a murderer
by the people he grew up with. He was chased and hunted and the
mob had wanted to hang him. He cannot think about his town as "home" any more.
But Jim is ready to go home at first. He is not any more when he lerns that
his recent action have made him a real criminal now. Johnny knocks him down
and takes him back. )
In court he says that Jim has come back on his own.
Not wanting him to lie for him Jim admits that he was taken in by force. Jim is facing charges from the trapper and the
Mexican couple, who's anger is great. His mother is with him in
the hearing, the sheriff, the judge and Johnny. First there seems
to be no hope as Johnny tries to explain the situation Jim has
been in. Only as Johnny does not give up to make the people understand
that they would have not behaved differently in the same situation,
they – on after the other – withdraw their charges. Jim promises to
work for them as long as the trapper is injured and to rebuild the
couple's house.
