| The Hired Gun | |
| Director: | Ray Nazarro |
| Based On: | Buckley Angell |
| Music: | Albert Glasser |
| Cinematography: | Harold J. Marzorati |
| Editing: | Frank Santillo |
| Studio: | Rorvic Productions |
| Distributor: | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Runtime: | 64 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | $323,000[1] |
| Gross: | $845,000 |
The Hired Gun is a 1957 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Rory Calhoun and Anne Francis.
In the Old West, Ellen Beldon is about to be hanged in Texas for the cold-blooded murder of her husband. Her uncle’s ranch foreman, Judd Farrow, masquerading as a priest, breaks her out of jail and escorts Ellen to a safe hideout at her uncle’s ranch in New Mexico. Her uncle has enough influence to block extradition of Ellen back to Texas.
Her father-in-law, Mace Beldon, determined to avenge the killing of his son, hires gunman Gil McCord for $5,000 to track down Ellen and bring her back to Texas. Gil hires on as a cowhand and then kidnaps Ellen and they head back to Texas. On the way, Farrow intercepts them and is killed by Gil. The pair also survive an ambush by Indians. Ellen explains to Gil that her husband was murdered by his step-brother, Kell Beldon, who wants to be sole heir to their father's money and land; and, a man named Elby Kirby witnessed the killing. Gil tracks down Kirby and forces him to admit what he knows. Kell confronts Gil and is killed in a shootout. Gil and Ellen ride out of town together.
According to MGM records the movie earned $395,000 in the US and Canada and $450,000 elsewhere, making a profit to the studio of $169,000.[1]