[1] On foot in the desert after the mercy killing of his horse, Wes Steele finds a stagecoach and a number of dead passengers.

A corrupt banker, Stanley, and his partner Joiner discuss their stagecoach holdup with Clanton, their hired gun.

In August 1954, it was announced that Ray Milland would direct and star in a Republic Pictures Western, The Gunman.

[8] In a contemporary review for the Los Angeles Times, critic Philip K. Scheuer wrote: "Milland's direction is, on a scene-by-scene basis, professional enough.

"[9] In the Chicago Tribune, reviewer Will Leonard wrote: "Milland makes a pretty good western hero, once he finds his tongue after the first half hour. ...

The love stuff may be a little too thick for thoro cowhand fans, but the heavy doses of gunplay make up for some of the sentiment.

"[10] Marjory Adams of The Boston Globe called A Man Alone "rich in suspense and audience appeal".