Logger Jim Hadley and his lumberjack crew are looking for new forest to cut. They locate a prime prospect outside the town of Deep Wells. The town's residents, led by Laura Riley, are opposed to the felling of the trees, believing that losing them would cause mudslides during the heavy rains.
Louis L'Amour's novel Guns of the Timberlands was published in 1955 and sold more than one million copies.[2] Alan Ladd's film production company Jaguar optioned the novel that same year.[3][4] The working title for the film was "Shasta."[5]
In 1957, it was announced the film would be produced from a script by David Victor and Herbert Little, with Albert J. Cohen as producer.[6] Ladd had worked with Aaron Spelling on two TV pilots, and Spelling's work so impressed Ladd that he made Spelling a producer on the picture.[7] Robert Webb was signed to direct.[8]
Ladd offered a lead role to Van Heflin, hoping to reunite with his costar from Shane.[9] He also wanted to cast Raymond Burr.[10] Jeanne Crain and Gilbert Roland were signed to support Ladd, along with the Ladds' daughter Alana.
Frankie Avalon, following his recent hit single Venus, signed to make his dramatic debut in the film.[11] Avalon later said, "I'm sure the reason why Warner Bros. said, 'Let's get this kid' is that he has lots of fans out there and he's getting 12,000 to 15,000 fans letters a week. 'Let's put him in a picture with a guy like Alan Ladd'."[12]
In the film, Avalon sings two songs, "The Faithful Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee." Both were released as a 45-rpm single in 1960.[citation needed]
^"Movieland Events: 'Guns of Timberland' on Active Schedule" Los Angeles Times 3 Apr 1957: B8.
^"Borgnine Takes a Script to Carolyn Jones' Home" Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 17 Mar 1959: b7.
^"Alan Ladd Film Names Director: Robert Webb Is Signed for 'Guns of Timberland' -- Columbia Adds Writers" Special to The New York Times.. New York Times 24 Mar 1959: 45
^"A.F.L. Unit Urges Boycott of Film: Council Says 'Daniel Boone' Was Made Outside U.S. to Flout Union Control Of Local Origin" by Thomas M Pryor Special to The New York Times.. New York Times 13 Feb 1956: 24.
^"Drama: Joanne Woodward's Pact Continued" Los Angeles Times 25 Jan 1956: 20.
^"Filmland Events: Fred MacMurray Offered New Lead" Los Angeles Times 7 Apr 1959: A8.
