The High Powered Rifle

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The High Powered Rifle, also known as Duel in the City, is a 1960 American action film directed by Maury Dexter in his feature debut. The story is by Harry Spaulding (credited as Thomas Geary), with a screenplay by Joseph Fritz. It stars Willard Parker, Allison Hayes, Dan Simmons, John Holland, Shirley O’Hara, and Terrea Lea. The 62-minute English-language film was released in September 1960 by 20th Century-Fox and had a budget of $50,000.

Plot and production notes:
The story follows a private investigator who is attacked by an assassin. The movie was shot on actual locations, including the home of Gary Cooper’s mother, as part of a low-budget approach to filmmaking.

Background:
Fox had created a system of smaller, quick-made features (Regal Pictures/API) to produce second features on tight budgets. Maury Dexter’s film was made as part of this effort, funded to be shown as a double feature.

Reception:
critics gave mixed reviews. Variety described it as a brisk, competent example of private-eye melodrama—solid enough for its level but not particularly inspired. The Hollywood Reporter called it a low-caliber crime suspense entry with a fairly realistic feel, but noted the storyline was hard to follow and the dialogue often served style over substance.