1318 Bay St
Bellingham, WA 98225
USA
WEST OF WHAT
Introduced by Michael Falter
The title character, played by Sterling Hayden, is a guitar-strumming drifter who was once the lover of Arizona saloon-owner Vienna (Joan Crawford). Though her establishment doesn’t make a dime, Vienna doesn’t care because the railroad is going to come in soon, bringing a whole slew of thirsty new customers. This puts her at odds with rancher Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge), who doesn’t want any new settlers on her land. Hating Vienna with a purple passion, Emma will do anything to drive her out of the territory…and even worse, Emma’s got the law and the other ranchers on her side.
According to most sources, the animosity between Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge was quite real, added several extra dimensions to their scenes together.
