Station West

Station West

Year: 1948

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Sidney Lanfield

Western

When two U.S. cavalrymen escorting a gold shipment are slain, Army intelligence officer John Haven assumes a false identity and infiltrates a remote mining‑and‑logging town. There he discovers that a seemingly harmless woman is as lethal as poison, and he must uncover the murderers behind the attack.

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Timeline & Setting – Station West (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Station West (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1940s

Set in a classic Western era, the town embodies post-war grit and frontier justice. The era features lawmen, outlaws, and ambitious greed around a gold shipment. The atmosphere blends noir-tinged intrigue with rugged frontier life.

Location

Frontier town, Mrs. Caslon's gold mine, Sawmill

A dusty frontier town serves as the stage for a tense gold heist. The town centers on a bustling saloon, a hotel, and the nearby sawmill that feeds the gold operation owned by Mrs. Caslon. The setting blends rough streets with mining wealth and shifting loyalties, creating constant peril and opportunity for Haven's undercover mission.

🏜️ Western Frontier 💎 Gold-Rush Locale 🏚️ Saloon & Hotel District 🪵 Sawmill & Lumber Town

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:20

Main Characters – Station West (1948)

Meet the key characters of Station West (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Haven (Dick Powell)

A military intelligence officer traveling incognito who uses covert skills to recover the stolen gold. He is disciplined, resourceful, and capable of both physical action and careful planning. His growing love for Charlie tests his sense of duty and drives his determination to outsmart the criminals.

🗡️ Soldier 🔎 Investigator ❤️ Romantic

Charlie (Jane Greer)

A beautiful singer who turns out to be the brains behind the gold theft. She exerts charm over Bristow and others to manipulate outcomes. Her alliance with Haven ends in tragedy, revealing a complex mix of ambition and romantic vulnerability.

🎤 Charmer 🧠 Strategist 💃 Seductress

Mrs. Mary Caslon (Agnes Moorehead)

Owner of the gold mine whose wealth and security are the target of the heist. Her presence anchors the plot’s motive and adds a layer of trust to Haven's mission. She represents legitimate stakeholding in a town threatened by theft and greed.

🏷️ Mine Owner 💎 Wealth 🛡️ Authority

Lawyer Mark Bristow (Raymond Burr)

Charlie's indebted lawyer who becomes entangled in the scheme. His fear and pressure push him toward dangerous loyalties. He is ultimately killed by a rival's bullet in a confrontation that heightens the film's stakes.

⚖️ Lawyer 🧩 Manipulated 🗡️ Target

Prince (Gordon Oliver)

A jealous associate of Charlie whose ambitions complicate Haven's mission. He is quick to violence, pressing for control of the gold and acting as a primary antagonist. His final confrontation with Haven ends in tragedy for him.

🕴️ Rival 🥊 Aggressor 💔 Jealous

Jim Goddard (Regis Toomey)

The rider who serves as the guard over the mining operation and is killed during the transport. His death triggers Haven's pursuit and intensifies the gold plot.

🏇 Rider 🗡️ Foil ⚰️ Victim

Lt. Stellman (Steve Brodie)

An armed military officer who appears in Haven's world, underscoring the military backdrop and the pursuit of order amid lawless activity.

🏷️ Military 🛡️ Officer 🕵️ Investigator

Sheriff (Charles Middleton)

The local lawman who becomes involved in the criminal plot and Haven's efforts to secure order. His actions frame the escape and pursuit that follow.

🏛️ Sheriff 🗺️ Authority 🔒 Law

Captain George Iles (Tom Powers)

A military captain who embodies the formal authority of the town and contributes to the military backdrop to the gold shipment saga.

⚓ Captain 🛡️ Authority 🗺️ Frontier

Hotel Clerk (Burl Ives)

A songful hotel clerk who welcomes Haven as he arrives, setting the mood with a warning about gold and danger. His uncredited role adds texture to the town's atmosphere.

🎶 Musician 🧭 Informant 🏨 Clerk

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:20

Major Themes – Station West (1948)

Explore the central themes of Station West (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Romance Deceit

Haven's attachment to Charlie complicates his mission, blending desire with duty. Charlie wields charm to advance a gold-stealing plan while masking true motives. The romance drives critical choices and exposes loyalties as danger tightens.

💰 Greed & Gold

The plot revolves around gold shipments, a mine, and the thieves who pursue wealth at any cost. Bristow's debt to Charlie links law and crime, while Haven pretends to be a simple transport chief. Greed catalyzes deception, risk, and the ultimate confrontation.

🕵️ Identity & Disguise

Haven travels incognito and uses deception as a tool to uncover the truth. Charlie's façade as a charming singer conceals her role as the brains behind the scheme. The line between truth and performance drives suspense and misdirection.

⚖️ Justice & Duty

Lawmen and outlaws collide in a struggle over who controls the gold. Haven navigates arrest, escape, and a personal code of honor. The sheriff's and Bristow's fates hinge on each choice, testing what justice means in a corrupt town.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:20

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Unlock the Full Story of Station West

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Station West Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Station West, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Station West Summary

Station West Timeline

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Station West Timeline

More About Station West

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