Pistol Harvest

Pistol Harvest

Year: 1951

Runtime: 60 mins

Language: English

Director: Lesley Selander

Western

Tim and his partner Chito discover their ranch boss murdered for the cash he kept. Though two men are initially blamed and narrowly escape execution when others are arrested, Holt believes true justice has not been done. Determined, the duo goes on a relentless hunt across the frontier to find the real killer and avenge their employer.

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Timeline & Setting – Pistol Harvest (1951)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Pistol Harvest (1951). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

19th century American frontier

Set in the era of westward expansion, the story reflects rough justice, limited law enforcement, and the precarious lives of ranchers and townsfolk. Frontiers towns rely on barter, gun battles, and saloon politics, as criminals push against the thin veil of order. The narrative tempo matches the period’s unpredictable dangers and stark landscapes.

Location

Old West desert, Moran Ranch, frontier town

The action unfolds across a sun-drenched desert and the sprawling Moran Ranch, before moving through a dusty frontier town with a bank and saloon. The landscape shapes survival, trust, and the code of frontier justice. The setting blends harsh natural terrain with tight-knit community spaces where fortunes rise and fall.

🏜️ Desert 🏚️ Frontier town 🐎 Ranch life

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:42

Main Characters – Pistol Harvest (1951)

Meet the key characters of Pistol Harvest (1951), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Tim (Tim Holt)

A capable cowhand who grows close to Felice and leads the pursuit of Moran’s killers. He shows steady courage, practical skill with a gun, and a protective instinct toward Felice. Tim’s loyalty to Moran and to Felice drives much of the plot’s forward momentum.

👤 Protagonist 🗡️ Gunfighter 🐂 Rancher

Chito Rafferty (Richard Martin)

Tim’s sardonic sidekick and a sharp-eyed sleuth who treats danger with humor. He identifies the thieves, coordinates with the sheriff, and helps chase down Jack and Andy. Chito’s charm masks a steadfast commitment to justice.

👥 Sidekick 🧭 Investigator 🗡️ Gunfighter

Andy Baylor (Robert J. Wilke)

One of Norton’s henchmen who participates in the cattle theft scheme and later the attempted ambush. He collapses or is killed during the pursuit, illustrating the violent stakes of Norton’s plot.

👤 Antagonist 💣 Henchman 🥃 Outlaw

Felice Moran (Joan Dixon)

Felice grows from a rescued girl into a young woman in love with Tim, only to uncover a deeper family link to Johnny. She embodies resilience and curiosity as she navigates danger and betrayal. Her bond with Tim anchors the emotional core of the story.

👤 Protagonist 💖 Love interest 🧭 Identity

Elias Norton (Mauritz Hugo)

A banker with a criminal agenda who kills Moran and schemes to steal the $30,000. His plan unravels as Tim, Chito, and Jack close in on him in a climactic warehouse confrontation.

👤 Antagonist 💼 Banker 🕵️ Criminal

Prouty (Billy Griffith)

A bank employee who witnesses Moran’s murder and becomes entangled in Norton’s schemes. He ultimately shares in the town’s pursuit of justice as the plot advances toward resolution.

👤 Witness 🗂️ Clerk 🧩 Insider

Jack Green (Robert Clarke)

A thief connected to Norton who is captured and later redeems his role in reuniting with Felice. His fate weaves through the pursuit and the trial’s outcome.

👤 Thief 🗝️ Connection 🗡️ Gunfighter

Terry Moran (Edward Hearn)

A cattle rancher who rescues Felice when she is a child and raises her to adulthood, embodying the frontier’s paternal authority and generosity. His murder triggers the central investigation.

👤 Rancher 💔 Victim 🛡️ Protector

Felice Moran (as Child) (Joan Freeman)

The young Felice’s rescue sets the stage for a decades-spanning bond with Moran and the later revelation of her brother Johnny. Her backstory provides emotional context for the family’s arc.

👶 Protagonist 🧩 Backstory 🧭 Identity

Captain Rand (F. Herrick Herrick)

A minor frontier captain who represents the law’s presence in a volatile landscape, helping to chase down the criminals as the town seeks justice.

👩‍✈️ Law 🗺️ Frontier

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:42

Major Themes – Pistol Harvest (1951)

Explore the central themes of Pistol Harvest (1951), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👪 Family & Identity

Felice is raised by Moran after being rescued as a child, creating a surrogate family. The discovery that Johnny is her brother ties bloodline to the chosen family, giving Felice a new sense of belonging. The gold coin with Johnny's name becomes a symbol that unlocks her past. The film explores how family can be forged through care as much as through blood.

⚖️ Justice & Corruption

Norton uses his bank position to manipulate money and cover criminal activity, showing a corrupt side of frontier commerce. Moran's murder at his hands becomes the central crime that drives Tim and Chito's pursuit of truth. The climax assembles pursuit, capture, and a planned trial to restore accountability. The story critiques lawlessness while showcasing vigilante justice returning the balance.

🤝 Loyalty & Friendship

Tim and Chito's partnership anchors the action, with Chito's wit helping navigate danger while staying loyal to Tim's aims. Their teamwork ensures the safe return of imprisoned Jack and the pursuit of Norton. Felice's alliances with Tim and Chito contrast with the treachery around Norton. The film emphasizes trust, camaraderie, and the courage to face danger together.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:42

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Pistol Harvest Summary

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Pistol Harvest Summary

Pistol Harvest Timeline

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Pistol Harvest Timeline

More About Pistol Harvest

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More About Pistol Harvest

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