Young Billy Young is a 1969 Western film in Deluxe Color starring Robert Mitchum and featuring Angie Dickinson, Robert Walker Jr. (in the title role), David Carradine, Jack Kelly (who plays a villain dressed like his character Bart Maverick in the television series Maverick), Deana Martin (in her screen debut) and Paul Fix. The story was based on a novel by Heck Allen titled "Who Rides with Wyatt" (written pseudonymously as Will Henry) and the screenplay was by Burt Kennedy; the film was directed by Kennedy.

Young Billy Young
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBurt Kennedy
Written byHeck Allen (novel) "Who Rides with Wyatt"
(as Will Henry)
Screenplay byBurt Kennedy
Produced byMax E. Youngstein
StarringRobert Mitchum
Angie Dickinson
Robert Walker Jr.
David Carradine
Jack Kelly
Paul Fix
CinematographyHarry Stradling Jr.
Edited byOtho Lovering
Music byShelly Manne
Production
company
Talbot-Youngstein
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release dates
  • September 17, 1969 (1969-09-17) (Denver, Colorado)
  • October 15, 1969 (1969-10-15) (United States)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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On the trail, Ben Kane, a former Dodge City lawman, comes across Billy Young, who has no horse and was abandoned by partner Jesse Boone soon after the killing of a Mexican general.

Kane lets young Billy accompany him to a town in New Mexico where he has a job waiting for him as deputy sheriff. Kane's real aim is to find the man who murdered his son.

In town, Kane learns from dance-hall girl Lily Beloit that two men who run the town, John Behan and Frank Boone, secretly intend to gun down Kane first chance they get. Frank Boone may be the one Kane is looking for, but Jesse, who is Frank's son, lands in jail first, accused of shooting Doc Cushman.

Kane and Lily become lovers. Billy, meanwhile, springs Jesse from jail, but feels guilty once Lily reveals to him what happened to Kane's son. After he deals with Behan and the older Boone, the deputy turns in his badge, but recommends Billy for the job.

Cast

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Production

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Young Billy Young was filmed on location at Old Tucson, Arizona.

Reception

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Howard Thompson of The New York Times thought the film seemed like a mediocre television show, however he found Mitchum and Robert Walker Jr. entertaining: "The picture .. contains two casually expert performances by two professionals, namely Mitchum and young Walker, who also share some tangy, amusing dialogue. Even in a walk-through set-up, Mitchum can do laconic wonders with a good wise-crack, such as the devastating one that closes the picture."[1]

Soundtrack

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Young Billy Young
Soundtrack album by
Released1969
Recorded1969
GenreFilm score
Length29:37
LabelUnited Artists
UAS 5199
ProducerShelly Manne
Shelly Manne chronology
Daktari
(1967)
Young Billy Young
(1969)
Outside
(1970)

The film score was composed, arranged and conducted by Shelly Manne, and the soundtrack album was released on the United Artists label in 1969.[2] The main title, sung by Robert Mitchum, was also released as a single.[3]

Track listing

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All compositions by Shelly Manne, except as indicated

  1. "Young Billy Young (Main Title)" (Shelly Manne, Ernie Sheldon) - 4:09
  2. "Mexican Soldiers" - 1:55
  3. "Kane's Vision" - 2:42
  4. "Stagecoach Stomp" - 2:18
  5. "Lily and Kane (Love Theme)" - 3:13
  6. "The Train (Pup Tent)" - 2:31
  7. "Jail Surrounded" - 3:55
  8. "Quicksand" - 3:21
  9. "Boone Done In" - 2:24
  10. "Young Billy Young (Reprise)" (Manne, Sheldon) - 2:52

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Thompson, Howard (October 16, 1969). "Young Billy Young". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  2. ^ "United Artists Album Discography: 4000/5000 Series (1958-1972)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  3. ^ "45 Cat.com". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
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