Der Henker wartet schon

Most of us remember Fred MacMurray from the sitcom "My Three Sons." However, Macmurray gave some great performances in some great movies,"Double Indemnity," "Pushover" and this terrific little sleeper. MacMurray plays Ben Cutler, first a reluctant posse member, then a reluctant Marshall, finally the unflinching witness against and executioner of his daughter's childhood sweetheart. What is brilliant about this movie is the gradually changing loyalties of his loved ones and townspeople. First they are out for the blood of the kid (Robert Vaughn's brilliant as a dangerous, manipulative coward). Then, as Vaughn wins greater and greater sympathy, MacMurray is treated as the heavy. As Cutler, MacMurray finds real courage, standing virtually alone by the film's climax. This is a powerful movie and a real treat. See it.

Good Day for a Hanging is directed by Nathan Juran and adapted to screenplay by Daniel B. Ullman and Maurice Zimm from the story The Reluctant Hangman written by John H. Reese. It stars Fred MacMurray, Robert Vaughn, Joan Blackman, Margaret Hayes, James Dury and Wendell Holmes. It is filmed in Columbia Color with cinematography by Henry Freulich.

After claiming his daughter's childhood sweetheart killed the marshal of Springdale during the aftermath of a bank raid, the new marshal, Ben Cutler (MacMurray), finds himself in conflict with his family and the townsfolk who question the motives of his testimony.

Good Day for a Hanging is one of those films that you feel that with a few tweaks it could have been a bona fide great 50s Western. As it is, in spite of some viable complaints from those who have bothered to review it, it's still a hugely enjoyable broody Oater.

Film hinges on MacMurray's moody and stoic performance. Ben Cutler finds himself fighting a lone battle in getting outlaw Eddie "Kid" Campbell (Vaughn excellent) on to the gallows. Campbell's standing in the town is high, he's fondly remembered and after laying on a truly heartfelt plea of innocence during the trial, practically everyone is convinced that he is innocent, even the members of the Cutler posse who were there when Campbell gunned down the old marshal! And with those closest to Ben also firmly against him hanging Campbell, he is being pulled apart emotionally. It's a nicely etched turn from MacMurray, full of inner torment and believable bravado.

Juran constructs some very good passages in the story, the opening robbery is very tense, the court case deftly handled with its observations of how manipulation of the law can happen, and the building of the gallows outside Campbell's cell - and the subsequent morbid interest of the townsfolk - really puts an edge on proceedings. Unfortunately the final outcome to the excellent mood building is undone by an unconvincing turn of events, and it feels very rushed. It's a shame because it just needed someone to step forward and suggest changing the ending from that of the source material. You have to think that the likes of Boetticher and Mann would have put a different spin on it.

Still, and I note and agree that some of the dialogue is out of time for the era, this is way above being an average B Western. At the time Variety wrote in their notices that the colour wasn't right for the tone of the picture. To some degree I agree that shadowy black and white would have worked a treat, but in this High Def age you can really see the benefits of Freulich's photography, it's beautiful, but I viewed it from UK TCM HD Channel, which invariably means I'm seeing it different to those in 1959!

I fully endorse this to Western fans who haven't seen it, and especially to MacMurray and Vaughn fans. It has problems, and yes it's kinda like a poor man's version of High Noon - Ruth (Ben's love interest played by Hayes), even suggests that Ben throw his marshal badge in the dirt - yet it's a mature throwback well worthy of viewing investment. 7/10

This film starts out with a typical bank robbery which has been cleverly planned until a bank employee shoots at one of the robbers and the city Marshall is killed by a young guy named Eddie, (The Kid). Ben Cutler, ( Fred MacMurray) shoots some of the robbers and half of the money is returned. Ben Cutler claims that the Kid killed the city Marshall and he intends to bring him up on trial and a death sentence. The results of the trial change the direction of the film and it takes on in another direction which makes this a very interesting film. Fred MacMurray was able to show his great acting ability as a Western Marshall and he gave an outstanding performance.

It's hard to say enough good things about this script. "Good Day For a Hanging" as about a man who tries to warn a town that makes him sheriff when their sheriff is killed during a robbery that if he starts to do his job he will see it through. He was once a robber with the same gang years since, and the sheriff helped him to go straight. They do not believe him; even his daughter turns against him to side with her ex-boy friend, who swears he innocent but was identified by the man as a murderer whose deed was seen with his own eyes. The young man is ordered hanged, and the sheriff stands his grounds, and is vindicated. To this very strong storyline are added many townspeople on both sides of the argument, mostly against the sheriff, played with honesty by Fred MacMurray. The leader of his opponents is played by Edmon Ryan, the sheriff's wife played by fine actress Maggie Hayes and the boy played by Robert Vaughn. The production values are the best of MacMarray's three major westerns, with script by Daniel Ullman, John Reese and Maurice Zimm, taut direction by the great Nathan Juran and cinematography b y Henry Freulich which looks very well. Among the others in the large cast are many familiar actors of quality, including Denver Pyle, Joan Blackman, Kathryn Card, Wendell Homes, Stacey Harris, James Drury, Bing Russell, Russell Thorsen and Howard McNear. There is one good scene after another in this remarkably dramatic and entertaining script; MacMurray is all right but the part could have benefited from a performance by someone with a stronger theatrically-trained voice. The slow build of resentment against the sheriff whose stubbornness may bring the gang down on the town again sets up a grand climactic confrontation and a satisfying ending, vindicating the Sheriff's judgment. A nearly-great western.

Stylish, well paced , solid , meticulous and agreeable look with crossfire and intense drama Western . This finely acted movie is gripping every step of the way . This is the story of the sheriff who'd worn it -till he'd faced one gun too many...the young Eddie . Novice sheriff he had to learn to wear it- or watch to die and the boy who lived only to wear one of his own ! Marshal Ben Cutler (Fred MacMurray) finds unexpectedly opposition from the townspeople when he captures killer Eddie Campbell (Robert Vaughn) . After claiming his daughter's childhood-sweetheart killed the marshal, one man finds himself in conflict with his daughter (Joan Blackman), his fiancée (Maggie Hayes) and many of the townsfolk . Sheriff Cutler is going to have trouble when Campbell is sentenced to hang .

Good adult Western with exciting battle of wits between an obstinate marshal and an astute young killer who begins to psych out the sheriff's daughter and townsfolk . This acceptable , meaty Western contains interesting plot , gun-blazing shootouts , a love story , and results to be quite entertaining . This passable Nathan Juran Western balances action , suspense and drama . Decent western is plenty of suspense as the dreaded hanging hour approaches and the protagonist realizes he must stand alone but his fellow town people for help , nobody is willing to help him . The highlights of the film are the court house scenes and the climatic final showdowns . The traditional story and exciting screenplay were well written by Daniel B. Ullman and Maurice Zimm based on a short story by John Reese . Nice acting by Fred MacMurray as beginner but old marshal standing against impossible odds . Top-notch Robert Vaughan as the charismatic gunslinger who gains townsfolk sympathy . Fine support cast such as Joan Blackman , Denver Pyle , Phil Chambers , Bing Russell , Emilie Meyer , and James Drury of The men of Shiloh , among others . Adequate cinematography in Technicolor superbly caught by cameramen by Henry Freulich and Henry Jaffa ; however , a perfect remastering being necessary . Atmospheric and lively musical score , the theme song for 3.10 To Yuma (1957) directed by Delmer Daves is played frequently here especially in scenes involving Vaughan and Blackman .

The motion picture was realized by a magnificent duo, the producer Charles H Schneer and the director Nathan Juran who sometimes used pseudonym "Nathan Hertz" ; both of whom collaborated in several films . Before entering the film industry as an art director in 1937 Nathan Juran won an Academy Award for art direction on How Green Was My Valley (1941). World War II interrupted his film career, and he spent his war years with the OSS. Returning to Hollywood, he turned to directing films in the 1950s. He handled mostly low-budget westerns and sci-fi opuses, his most famous being The attack of the 50 foot woman (1958) . He was also responsible for the superb fantasy adventure The 7th voyage of Sinbad (1958). Juran directed some Westerns starred by Audie Murphy such as ¨Drums Across the River¨, ¨Tumbleweed¨ , ¨Gunsmoke¨ and ¨Law and Order¨ with Ronald Reagan . In the early 1960s, he journeyed to Europe, where he spent several years piloting adventure epics and spaghetti westerns such as ¨Land raiders¨. Juran made sensational Sci-fi and fantastic movies , such us : ¨First men oh the moon¨, ¨The 7th voyage of Simbad¨ , ¨20 million miles to earth¨, ¨Jack the Giant Killer¨ and several others