31 recensioni
The Bounty Hunter sees Randolph Scott star as a Bounty Hunter tracking down three murdering train robbers who may have settled down in the small town of Twin Forks. It's directed by Andre de Toth, in what was the last of six Westerns he made with Scott. It's written by Winston Miller (story) & Finlay McDermid, and features support acting from Marie Windsor, Ernest Borgnine, Dolores Dorn & Howard Petrie. Music is by David Buttolph and Edwin B. DuPar photographs it at Redrock Canyon & the Warner Ranch in California. Coming as it did during the 3D boom of 1953/54, it was shot in 3D but ended up being released in standard flat 2D. Out of Warner Brothers it was shot in their own color format known as WarnerColor.
During the early days when civilisation was pushing its frontiers farther and farther West, there roamed a special creed of men. . .neither outlaws nor officers of the law, yet more feared than either. For reward money--they tracked down criminals wanted dead or alive, and made themselves both judge and executioner in some lonely court of no appeal. They were called "Bounty Hunters".
The WarnerColor may be dull and lifeless here, but that in no way sums up this perky Randy Scott Oater. Scott was always at his best when playing loners or troubled and pained drifters, in short, when away from a group dynamic he was allowed to flourish as the fine actor he was. So it be here as he lays it on as a no nonsense good bad guy! Quipping away in the face of aggression, Scott is able to portray a man not to be messed with-who is happy to kill for cash-yet remain charming and always endearing himself to the audience. It's quite a knack to be so tough yet also be so affable. But Scott on form could do it in his sleep, and to my mind that makes this an essential film for Scott fans to consider outside of his work for Boetticher & Peckinpah.
Once he reaches Twin Forks, the film gathers apace and starts to unfold as a whodunit like mystery. Sure the writing is not forming the townsfolk with any great urgency, and by golly it isn't hard to figure out who the hiding out villains are. But watching the town start to crack under the strain of either being suspicious of thy neighbours, or fretting about being found out, makes for an entertaining piece as Scott moves about them with almost sadistic glee. The smiling assassin comes to mind! It put me in mind of one of Audie Murphy's best film's, No Name On the Bullet, so any fans of that film should certainly get much from this one.
There's nothing to write home about technically, Toth deals in standard file and rank direction and DuPar's photography is lost within the dull sheen deliverance at Warner Ranch. While the support cast are nicely dressed, and made up, but ultimately just talking props serving to let Scott grasp the film with both hands. But grasp it he does! With gun in hand, tongue in cheek and the heart of a lion, he lifts this piece above its many other budgetary failings. 7/10
During the early days when civilisation was pushing its frontiers farther and farther West, there roamed a special creed of men. . .neither outlaws nor officers of the law, yet more feared than either. For reward money--they tracked down criminals wanted dead or alive, and made themselves both judge and executioner in some lonely court of no appeal. They were called "Bounty Hunters".
The WarnerColor may be dull and lifeless here, but that in no way sums up this perky Randy Scott Oater. Scott was always at his best when playing loners or troubled and pained drifters, in short, when away from a group dynamic he was allowed to flourish as the fine actor he was. So it be here as he lays it on as a no nonsense good bad guy! Quipping away in the face of aggression, Scott is able to portray a man not to be messed with-who is happy to kill for cash-yet remain charming and always endearing himself to the audience. It's quite a knack to be so tough yet also be so affable. But Scott on form could do it in his sleep, and to my mind that makes this an essential film for Scott fans to consider outside of his work for Boetticher & Peckinpah.
Once he reaches Twin Forks, the film gathers apace and starts to unfold as a whodunit like mystery. Sure the writing is not forming the townsfolk with any great urgency, and by golly it isn't hard to figure out who the hiding out villains are. But watching the town start to crack under the strain of either being suspicious of thy neighbours, or fretting about being found out, makes for an entertaining piece as Scott moves about them with almost sadistic glee. The smiling assassin comes to mind! It put me in mind of one of Audie Murphy's best film's, No Name On the Bullet, so any fans of that film should certainly get much from this one.
There's nothing to write home about technically, Toth deals in standard file and rank direction and DuPar's photography is lost within the dull sheen deliverance at Warner Ranch. While the support cast are nicely dressed, and made up, but ultimately just talking props serving to let Scott grasp the film with both hands. But grasp it he does! With gun in hand, tongue in cheek and the heart of a lion, he lifts this piece above its many other budgetary failings. 7/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- 21 lug 2010
- Permalink
The feared bounty hunter Jim Kipp (Randolph Scott) is hired by the Pinkerton Detective Agency to track down and find three wanted killers that robbed a train one year ago and recover the stolen money. The only clue he received is that one outlaw was shot in the leg. Jim Kipp comes to Twin Forks and seeks out the local Dr. R.L. Spencer (Harry Antrim) to ask whether he recalls attending a man with wounded leg one year ago. The doctor apparently does not recall but his daughter Julie Spencer (Dolores Dorn) confirms Kipp's suspicion. Kipp decides to stay at the hotel to investigate the town and most of inhabitants are affected by his presence. Will he succeed to find the trio?
"The Bounty Hunter" is an average and entertaining western. Randolph Scott shines in the role of a tough, but fair bounty hunter, feared by outlaws and sheriffs. The identities of the killers are disclosed in the end and well resolved. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Feras Humanas" ("Human Beasts")
"The Bounty Hunter" is an average and entertaining western. Randolph Scott shines in the role of a tough, but fair bounty hunter, feared by outlaws and sheriffs. The identities of the killers are disclosed in the end and well resolved. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Feras Humanas" ("Human Beasts")
- claudio_carvalho
- 15 mar 2016
- Permalink
The Bounty Hunter casts Randolph Scott working in that profession, condemned in polite society, but necessary to bringing law and order to the west.
Scott is hired by the Pinkerton Detective Agency to trail three outlaws who were part of a gang of seven who robbed a train and killed several people in the process. Four of them are accounted for, but the Pinkertons have no clue as to the others. Scott picks up where they left off and the trail takes him to the New Mexico town of Twin Forks.
The only clue he has is that one of them was wounded so Scott begins questioning the town doctor and his pretty daughter Dolores Dorn. Needless to say his presence and reputation have the whole town of Twin Forks real nervous. Even sheriff Howard Petrie isn't really crazy about Scott's investigation.
Director Andre DeToth did several good westerns in the Forties and Fifties and The Bounty Hunter was definitely one of them. DeToth keeps the action and suspense both going and I have to say when the identity of the three outlaws is finally learned you will be surprised. And there will be some juicy red herrings thrown in for good measure.
One of the better Randolph Scott westerns of the Fifties a must for all of his fans.
Scott is hired by the Pinkerton Detective Agency to trail three outlaws who were part of a gang of seven who robbed a train and killed several people in the process. Four of them are accounted for, but the Pinkertons have no clue as to the others. Scott picks up where they left off and the trail takes him to the New Mexico town of Twin Forks.
The only clue he has is that one of them was wounded so Scott begins questioning the town doctor and his pretty daughter Dolores Dorn. Needless to say his presence and reputation have the whole town of Twin Forks real nervous. Even sheriff Howard Petrie isn't really crazy about Scott's investigation.
Director Andre DeToth did several good westerns in the Forties and Fifties and The Bounty Hunter was definitely one of them. DeToth keeps the action and suspense both going and I have to say when the identity of the three outlaws is finally learned you will be surprised. And there will be some juicy red herrings thrown in for good measure.
One of the better Randolph Scott westerns of the Fifties a must for all of his fans.
- bkoganbing
- 18 apr 2011
- Permalink
Born Hungarian André De Toth directed seven B series western between years 1951 and 1955 (B series films in Europe means that it were made with few money and in a short time). This Bounty Hunter was one of them. It is a solid, without ups and downs, and very estimable western. This modest film deserves all the respect, admiration and gratitude possibles. An even in our times, when toughness is missing in service of computers special effects. The film has got craft agility, is very well build and adequately played by specialist stony face Randolph Scott (Boetticher's lonesome rider). We meet efficacious Ernest Borgnine in a supporting role. Western lovers will enjoy this film.
- ctosangel-2
- 5 ott 2001
- Permalink
The Pinkerton detective agency, unable to track down three violent train robbers after a year, turns to bounty hunter Randolph Scott. He's given very few clues to go on and has no idea what the men look like. Still, he manages to track them to a small town called Twin Forks. But the people there aren't particularly friendly towards strangers who show up asking questions.
The last of six westerns director André de Toth made with Randolph Scott. This was filmed in 3D but only released in standard format. This explains why there are some 'in your face' shots where you have someone sticking something at the camera. Scott does fine in a by-the-numbers role for him and his stuntman works overtime in some decent action scenes. Despite the formula plot, the movie does a nice job of keeping the identity of the train robbers a secret. One is especially surprising. Nice supporting cast includes Ernest Borgnine, Marie Windsor, Dolores Dorn, and Dub Taylor. It's a pretty good western. Nothing extraordinary but above average for the period.
The last of six westerns director André de Toth made with Randolph Scott. This was filmed in 3D but only released in standard format. This explains why there are some 'in your face' shots where you have someone sticking something at the camera. Scott does fine in a by-the-numbers role for him and his stuntman works overtime in some decent action scenes. Despite the formula plot, the movie does a nice job of keeping the identity of the train robbers a secret. One is especially surprising. Nice supporting cast includes Ernest Borgnine, Marie Windsor, Dolores Dorn, and Dub Taylor. It's a pretty good western. Nothing extraordinary but above average for the period.
Above Average Randolph Scott Western Directed by the Sometimes Interesting Andre de Toth. This One has a High Entertainment Value because it is More Violent at Times and has a Mystery Element that Keeps Things Going.
There is a Fight Scene where Scott Burns the Butt of a Bad Guy on a Stove and a Head Shot Squib that was Very Rare in 1954. The Characters are a bit more than One Dimensional in this Movie that was Shot in 3-D but Released Flat.
There is a Surprise Ending and Enough Gun-Play and Fisticuffs to Satisfy Western Fans and Scott's Cynical Bounty Hunter is Off Beat for a Fifties Protagonist. Marie Windsor's Wide Eyed Bar Girl and Ernest Borgnine are Highlighted Supporters. For a Weakness there is the Obligatory Marriage for that Fifties Family Wrap-Up Smarminess.
Note...Not in the same league as the Anthony Mann/Budd Boetticher 1950's Westerns but a bit Better than Most of its Ilk.
There is a Fight Scene where Scott Burns the Butt of a Bad Guy on a Stove and a Head Shot Squib that was Very Rare in 1954. The Characters are a bit more than One Dimensional in this Movie that was Shot in 3-D but Released Flat.
There is a Surprise Ending and Enough Gun-Play and Fisticuffs to Satisfy Western Fans and Scott's Cynical Bounty Hunter is Off Beat for a Fifties Protagonist. Marie Windsor's Wide Eyed Bar Girl and Ernest Borgnine are Highlighted Supporters. For a Weakness there is the Obligatory Marriage for that Fifties Family Wrap-Up Smarminess.
Note...Not in the same league as the Anthony Mann/Budd Boetticher 1950's Westerns but a bit Better than Most of its Ilk.
- LeonLouisRicci
- 23 ago 2014
- Permalink
- JohnHowardReid
- 10 nov 2017
- Permalink
- planktonrules
- 21 mag 2011
- Permalink
- rmax304823
- 1 mar 2010
- Permalink
Bounty hunter Randolph Scott is on the trail of a trio of train robbers, but his work is cut out for him -- the three are outwardly respectable citizens, somewhat beyond the arm of the law.
One of my favourite Randolph Scott westerns is a satisfyingly gripping affair from the get-go. It touches upon the mystery-suspense genre, especially with Scott hunting the three bank robbers - now respectable citizens - and there are enough suspects to keep you guessing. One of them came as a surprise at the end - the aspect I liked though was the paranoia spreading to the town folk; they are nervous about the presence of Randolph Scott whose stone-faced countenance, grim determination and coldness predates the Boetticher westerns he made later.
The underrated Andre De Toth - who had directed a few other Scott westerns -directs impressively, keeping the suspense dialed up and maintaining that interest. It's a tautly-drawn, doesn't outstay its welcome and the plot is enticing as Marie Windsor's eyes.
One of my favourite Randolph Scott westerns is a satisfyingly gripping affair from the get-go. It touches upon the mystery-suspense genre, especially with Scott hunting the three bank robbers - now respectable citizens - and there are enough suspects to keep you guessing. One of them came as a surprise at the end - the aspect I liked though was the paranoia spreading to the town folk; they are nervous about the presence of Randolph Scott whose stone-faced countenance, grim determination and coldness predates the Boetticher westerns he made later.
The underrated Andre De Toth - who had directed a few other Scott westerns -directs impressively, keeping the suspense dialed up and maintaining that interest. It's a tautly-drawn, doesn't outstay its welcome and the plot is enticing as Marie Windsor's eyes.
The film starts with a foreword: Forward During the early days when civilization was pushing its frontiers farther and farther West, there roamed a special breed of men...neither outlaws nor officers of the law, yet more feared than either. For reward money...they tracked down criminals, wanted Dead or Alive, and made themselves both judge and executioner in some lonely court of no appeal. They were called "Bounty Hunters". Once finished opening credits begins the noisy action : A bounty hunter called Jim Kipp (Randolph Scott) is sub-hired by Pinkerton, to track down three wanted killers that assaulted a train and to retrieve the robbed loot . The only clue he received is that one escaped bandit was shot in the leg. He tracks them to Twin Forks but has no clues to their identity. There he seeks out the local Dr. R.L. Spencer (Antrin) to ask for if he recalls attending a man with an injured leg long time ago . The doctor supposedly does not remind but his daughter Julie (Dolores Dorn) confirms this suspicion. There are several suspicious people , Sheriff Brand (Howard Petrie) , the Saloon girl (Mary Windsor) , the doctor Spencer , the manager hotel Bill (Ernest Borgnine) , Jud (Paul Picerni) , the post office manager (Dub Taylor) , Vance Edwards (MacDuff ) .... Who are the robbers ? Meanwhile , he attempts to stifle conflicts, but he encounter problems instead. When the law put up the money "The Bounty Hunter" put on his guns! The highter the reward the hotter the gun he uses to collect it ¡¡She gave "The Bounty Hunter" a different kind of reward.
Passable western with good cast in in which a year after a violent train robbery a bounty hunter arrives in a litttle town to investigate the identity of three robbers , then tensions surface as just his presence in the location acts as a catalyst . As our starring trails 3 unknown murderous train robbers to a town and finds a host of suspects , resulting to be a kind of whodunit , in which we have to find out the identity of the hidden robbers . It is a medium budget movie with thrills, rapid action, shootouts, as well as fine players, nice production design and pleasing results. It is still a run-of-the-mill entry in Western genre, in which Randolph Scott delivers his ordinary interpretation . Actually shot in Red Rock Canyon State Park , Iverson Ranch , Warner Ranch, Calabasas, California and Mojave Desert, with adequate interpretations and solid sets . The picture is well starred by Randolph Scott . He was a prolific actor in Western, his career is divided in films directed by Budd Boetticher in Seven men from now, The tall T, Decision at sundown, Buchanan rides alone, Comanche station, Westbound. Henry Hathaway as : Heritage of the desert, Wild horse, Sunset Pass, Man of the Forest. Ray Enright directed him in : The spoilers, Trail street, Alburquerque, Coroner creek, Return of the bad men. Andre De Toth directed him in Men in the saddle, Carson city, The stranger wore a gun, Riding shotgun, The bounty hunter. Finally, his main testament, Ride the high country along with Joel MacCrea directed by Sam Peckinpah . Support cast is pretty good with notorious secondaries as Ernest Borgnine , Dub Taylor , Paul Picerni , Howard Petrie , and the usual Femme Fatal Marie Windsor , among others
It contains a lousy cinematography Edwin B. DuPar , being extremely necessary a perfect remastering and filmed in 3D, but released only in standard 2D version. And thrilling and moving musical score by David Buttolph . The motion picture was professionally directed by Andre De Toth . He was known for his tough, hard-edged pictures, whether westerns or urban crime dramas, and showed no compunction about depicting violence in as realistic a manner as possible, an unusual and somewhat controversial attitude for the time. Probably his best known film is House of wax (1953), a Vincent Price horror film shot in 3-D. As De Toth only had one eye, that put him in the somewhat odd position of shooting a film in a process in which he would never be able to see the result. That didn't seem to matter, though; the film was a critical and financial success, and is generally considered to be the best 3-D film ever made. Andre De Toth was a classical director , Western usual (Indian fighter, Man in the saddle , Ramrod , Last of Comanches , The stranger wore a gun), but also made Peplum (Gold for the Caesar) and adventure (The Mongols , Morgan the pirate , Tanganyika) .The picture obtained limited success , but it results to be enough agreeable. Rating : 6/10 . It's relentless routine , but also a good stuff for young people and Western lovers who enjoy enormously with the extraordinary adventures starred by Randolph Scott .
Passable western with good cast in in which a year after a violent train robbery a bounty hunter arrives in a litttle town to investigate the identity of three robbers , then tensions surface as just his presence in the location acts as a catalyst . As our starring trails 3 unknown murderous train robbers to a town and finds a host of suspects , resulting to be a kind of whodunit , in which we have to find out the identity of the hidden robbers . It is a medium budget movie with thrills, rapid action, shootouts, as well as fine players, nice production design and pleasing results. It is still a run-of-the-mill entry in Western genre, in which Randolph Scott delivers his ordinary interpretation . Actually shot in Red Rock Canyon State Park , Iverson Ranch , Warner Ranch, Calabasas, California and Mojave Desert, with adequate interpretations and solid sets . The picture is well starred by Randolph Scott . He was a prolific actor in Western, his career is divided in films directed by Budd Boetticher in Seven men from now, The tall T, Decision at sundown, Buchanan rides alone, Comanche station, Westbound. Henry Hathaway as : Heritage of the desert, Wild horse, Sunset Pass, Man of the Forest. Ray Enright directed him in : The spoilers, Trail street, Alburquerque, Coroner creek, Return of the bad men. Andre De Toth directed him in Men in the saddle, Carson city, The stranger wore a gun, Riding shotgun, The bounty hunter. Finally, his main testament, Ride the high country along with Joel MacCrea directed by Sam Peckinpah . Support cast is pretty good with notorious secondaries as Ernest Borgnine , Dub Taylor , Paul Picerni , Howard Petrie , and the usual Femme Fatal Marie Windsor , among others
It contains a lousy cinematography Edwin B. DuPar , being extremely necessary a perfect remastering and filmed in 3D, but released only in standard 2D version. And thrilling and moving musical score by David Buttolph . The motion picture was professionally directed by Andre De Toth . He was known for his tough, hard-edged pictures, whether westerns or urban crime dramas, and showed no compunction about depicting violence in as realistic a manner as possible, an unusual and somewhat controversial attitude for the time. Probably his best known film is House of wax (1953), a Vincent Price horror film shot in 3-D. As De Toth only had one eye, that put him in the somewhat odd position of shooting a film in a process in which he would never be able to see the result. That didn't seem to matter, though; the film was a critical and financial success, and is generally considered to be the best 3-D film ever made. Andre De Toth was a classical director , Western usual (Indian fighter, Man in the saddle , Ramrod , Last of Comanches , The stranger wore a gun), but also made Peplum (Gold for the Caesar) and adventure (The Mongols , Morgan the pirate , Tanganyika) .The picture obtained limited success , but it results to be enough agreeable. Rating : 6/10 . It's relentless routine , but also a good stuff for young people and Western lovers who enjoy enormously with the extraordinary adventures starred by Randolph Scott .
When the most interesting aspect of a film is that it contains, halfway through its eighty minute running time, a forty second "intermission" (presumably so guys could awaken their bored dates), then you know you're not exactly in film Valhalla. In other words Randy, Andy (De Toth) and Marie have all done better work. Not so sure about Dolores Dorn, though. Give it a C.
Oops! Almost forgot to mention the George Selk sighting (old guy in the hotel hallway). Selk, for those of you who are "Gunsmoke" illiterate, played my moniker, the stable owner of Dodge.
Oops! Almost forgot to mention the George Selk sighting (old guy in the hotel hallway). Selk, for those of you who are "Gunsmoke" illiterate, played my moniker, the stable owner of Dodge.
The Pinkertons send bounty hunter Randolph Scott after three train robbers whom no one can identify. He soon comes to a small town. When word of who he is gets around, a lot of people get nervous. That's part of his plan, because he doesn't know whom he's looking for.
Before he made the seven Ranown westerns with Budd Boetticher, Randolph Scot made six in a row with Andre De Toth. These emphasized the moral ambiguity of the West, where no one cared who or what you had been as long as no one came looking for you. This movie has Scott as the man who comes looking, and he stirs up a lot of people with a lot of dirty pasts, in whom he has not the slightest interest, including a couple who pull guns on him. Scott is, of course, the thorough professional, single-minded on the job at hand.
DP Edwin DuPar, out of the studios, is more interested in shooting people than scenery, and does so in Eastmancolor which seems to have faded to brown. The script is good, although not as spare of the ones that Burt Kennedy would write for the Ranowns; the humorous bits here seem forced. I do admire how the standard Shaky-A tropes are just implied in favor of actual stuff happening. That keeps this to a spare 79 minutes, and I didn't miss a thing.
By this time, having Randolph Scott meant you didn't need to spend on other actors, so easily recognized performers are Marie Windsor and Ernest Borgnine -- with plenty of "I know that guy" performers. There are also plenty of the bit players who seemed to show up in every western, like Chet Brandenberg (445 screen appearances) and William H. O'Brien (648 times before the motion picture and television cameras). O'Brien entered the movies in 1918, and appeared in everything from Von Stroheim extravaganzas to Stan Laurel shorts. He retired from the screen in 1971, and died ten years later at the age of 89.
Before he made the seven Ranown westerns with Budd Boetticher, Randolph Scot made six in a row with Andre De Toth. These emphasized the moral ambiguity of the West, where no one cared who or what you had been as long as no one came looking for you. This movie has Scott as the man who comes looking, and he stirs up a lot of people with a lot of dirty pasts, in whom he has not the slightest interest, including a couple who pull guns on him. Scott is, of course, the thorough professional, single-minded on the job at hand.
DP Edwin DuPar, out of the studios, is more interested in shooting people than scenery, and does so in Eastmancolor which seems to have faded to brown. The script is good, although not as spare of the ones that Burt Kennedy would write for the Ranowns; the humorous bits here seem forced. I do admire how the standard Shaky-A tropes are just implied in favor of actual stuff happening. That keeps this to a spare 79 minutes, and I didn't miss a thing.
By this time, having Randolph Scott meant you didn't need to spend on other actors, so easily recognized performers are Marie Windsor and Ernest Borgnine -- with plenty of "I know that guy" performers. There are also plenty of the bit players who seemed to show up in every western, like Chet Brandenberg (445 screen appearances) and William H. O'Brien (648 times before the motion picture and television cameras). O'Brien entered the movies in 1918, and appeared in everything from Von Stroheim extravaganzas to Stan Laurel shorts. He retired from the screen in 1971, and died ten years later at the age of 89.
- mark.waltz
- 4 ott 2023
- Permalink
This is not the best Randy Scott western, nothing to do with what he will make later with the outstanding Budd Boetticher and the seven films together, far better for Columbia and with Harry Joe Brown as producer, than the westerns made for Warner, even with the always good Andre De Toth as director. There were several with the latest too for Scott, but I repeat, more classical in the story and directing too, and I don't even mention the character study. In De Toth's films, I don't find anything that you will find in the TALL T, COMMANCHE STATION nor of course SEVEN MEN FROM NOW. So this one is rather so so for me, predictable but a good western though, only for western die hard hunters.
- searchanddestroy-1
- 12 feb 2022
- Permalink
Randolph Scott is in my Hall of Fame. He made one solid western after another. "The Bounty Hunter" is another good one. The first half of the movie is fine but the second half is great stuff. The last half hour is very exciting. "The Bounty Hunter" is a good looking movie with a nice supporting cast. This movie is another enjoyable entry is the solid resume of Randolph Scott. Honorable mention: Ernest Borgnine. (By the way, I can't believe this movie had an Intermission. It's only 89 minutes long.)
Another nice colour Western starring enigmatic goodie Randolph Scott - in a fight I'd prefer him on my side over John Wayne any day. But not his rubbish stunt double.
Pinkerton's hire him as a bounty hunter to track down a band of baddies all the way to Twin Forks whereupon he unaccountably makes the townsfolk edgy and nervous with regard to his perceived propensity to shoot people solely for money. He tells them more than once that he has to stay "hyer" for a while to figure out just who the baddies are. However, they all seem like a shifty bunch even Scott's frilly love-interest with parasol and picket-fence; but it's fun trying to guess who the felons really are. For the most part it's routine fodder and yet another nod to Destry Rides Again but there's a couple of surprisingly clunky and almost embarrassingly aimless shooting scenes with hats or objects shot off straight at the 3D cameras – I even laughed during one of these untense moments.
Andre De Toth directed slicker Westerns than this but I always enjoy this kind of film with all faults, so enjoyed this one even though I've seen tens of thousands better. A pleasant and wholesome time-passer I wouldn't mind seeing again real soon and probably will if I know TCM UK.
Pinkerton's hire him as a bounty hunter to track down a band of baddies all the way to Twin Forks whereupon he unaccountably makes the townsfolk edgy and nervous with regard to his perceived propensity to shoot people solely for money. He tells them more than once that he has to stay "hyer" for a while to figure out just who the baddies are. However, they all seem like a shifty bunch even Scott's frilly love-interest with parasol and picket-fence; but it's fun trying to guess who the felons really are. For the most part it's routine fodder and yet another nod to Destry Rides Again but there's a couple of surprisingly clunky and almost embarrassingly aimless shooting scenes with hats or objects shot off straight at the 3D cameras – I even laughed during one of these untense moments.
Andre De Toth directed slicker Westerns than this but I always enjoy this kind of film with all faults, so enjoyed this one even though I've seen tens of thousands better. A pleasant and wholesome time-passer I wouldn't mind seeing again real soon and probably will if I know TCM UK.
- Spondonman
- 5 ott 2013
- Permalink
This is one of the best westerns and murder mysteries I've ever seen.
Randolph Scott plays an ever unpopular private for-profit law enforcer - bounty hunter - who agrees for a not small fortune at Pinkerton's! Request to track down the 3 unknown survivors of a murderous gang of train robbers who have vanished. One of them was wounded in the leg.
We are shown on a map how he calculates the robbers' radius of action and where the first place to look for them may be, the small town of Twin Forks.
He logically asks the town doctor if he treated anyone like that, and although the doctor refuses to talk claiming patient confidentiality, his very pretty daughter indicates there was someone.
(The doctor addressing Randolph Scott as a "young man" attempts to downplay the age difference between a very young and pretty Delores Dorn, too obviously, but Scott fans probably aren't deterred.)
Everyone in town seems threatened by him - is the whole town in on this? - including a young local resident and husband and father who tries to kill him but turns out not to be one of the 3. And there is a similar encounter in his hotel room.
Bounty Hunters Not Wanted.
The local sheriff has him on short notice, and the local gambler's girlfriend tries to use her charms to learn more about him - what he knows.
He takes the daughter to church, where his true name and identity are exposed, and she decides she wants no part of him, maybe also because of her father's suspicious behavior.
The doctor tries to warn the gambler and is then shot by him!
Suspect No. 1? ... and No. 2?? ... and then the sheriff shoots the gambler who seemed ready to talk?
The town postmaster! Then tries (with a pillow) to suffocate the seriously wounded doctor in bed, and when the daughter apprehends him, he tries to strangle *her* ... and then tries to escape out of town pursued by Kipp.
And it gets believably crazier after that!
I'll let viewers find out who the 3 residing robbers are, but the denouement after the climax is pricelessly classic with a very young Fess Parker and 2 other thrill-seeking cowboys riding into town wildly shooting into the air and then learning to their SHOCK that *Jim Kipp* is there. :-)
Tragically, Delores Dorn never had children..
Randolph Scott plays an ever unpopular private for-profit law enforcer - bounty hunter - who agrees for a not small fortune at Pinkerton's! Request to track down the 3 unknown survivors of a murderous gang of train robbers who have vanished. One of them was wounded in the leg.
We are shown on a map how he calculates the robbers' radius of action and where the first place to look for them may be, the small town of Twin Forks.
He logically asks the town doctor if he treated anyone like that, and although the doctor refuses to talk claiming patient confidentiality, his very pretty daughter indicates there was someone.
(The doctor addressing Randolph Scott as a "young man" attempts to downplay the age difference between a very young and pretty Delores Dorn, too obviously, but Scott fans probably aren't deterred.)
Everyone in town seems threatened by him - is the whole town in on this? - including a young local resident and husband and father who tries to kill him but turns out not to be one of the 3. And there is a similar encounter in his hotel room.
Bounty Hunters Not Wanted.
The local sheriff has him on short notice, and the local gambler's girlfriend tries to use her charms to learn more about him - what he knows.
He takes the daughter to church, where his true name and identity are exposed, and she decides she wants no part of him, maybe also because of her father's suspicious behavior.
The doctor tries to warn the gambler and is then shot by him!
Suspect No. 1? ... and No. 2?? ... and then the sheriff shoots the gambler who seemed ready to talk?
The town postmaster! Then tries (with a pillow) to suffocate the seriously wounded doctor in bed, and when the daughter apprehends him, he tries to strangle *her* ... and then tries to escape out of town pursued by Kipp.
And it gets believably crazier after that!
I'll let viewers find out who the 3 residing robbers are, but the denouement after the climax is pricelessly classic with a very young Fess Parker and 2 other thrill-seeking cowboys riding into town wildly shooting into the air and then learning to their SHOCK that *Jim Kipp* is there. :-)
Tragically, Delores Dorn never had children..
- classicsoncall
- 9 mar 2012
- Permalink
Jim Kipp (Randolph Scott) is a bounty hunter in the old west. He's as cold as ice. A Pinkerton detective hires him to track down three ruthless train robbers and the $100k they stole from over a year ago. There is no description of the three masked men.
I really like the premise. It's setup for a compelling mystery thriller with a complicated protagonist. I don't like some of the lighter touches. I want this to get dark. I want it to be stylish. I want it to be more than a western but it is what it is. It's not going for more.
I really like the premise. It's setup for a compelling mystery thriller with a complicated protagonist. I don't like some of the lighter touches. I want this to get dark. I want it to be stylish. I want it to be more than a western but it is what it is. It's not going for more.
- SnoopyStyle
- 23 gen 2022
- Permalink
Plot heavy western that should please Scott fans, even if the film doesn't. In fact, the lantern jaw actor carries the 80-minutes, at the same time supporting players drift in and out rather aimlessly. Bounty hunter Kipp (Scott) is on the trail of three baddies who've blended into Twin Forks, so that their identities are now hidden. As a result, Kipp has to figure out who the guilty ones are. Trouble is the townspeople don't take kindly to being under suspicion, so he's got his work cut out for him.
A plot like this relies greatly on script, which I found pretty loosely structured. Except for Kipp, none of the other many characters are sharply etched. Thus the mystery element never really gels, and with that goes much of the suspense until the last ten minutes. As you might expect this is not a scenic western, with most of the action taking place in a studio town. What the film does have going for it--in addition to Scott-- is the great Marie Windsor as, surprise, surprise, a dancehall girl. I just wish they had given her more to do. Some verbal face-offs between her and Scott would be explosive. Looks to me also like director deToth couldn't really engage with the script, despite his proved record with outstanding westerns—Ramrod (1947), Day of the Outlaw (1959).
Overall, the oater shows off Scott's powerful presence, but, I'm sorry to say, not much else.
A plot like this relies greatly on script, which I found pretty loosely structured. Except for Kipp, none of the other many characters are sharply etched. Thus the mystery element never really gels, and with that goes much of the suspense until the last ten minutes. As you might expect this is not a scenic western, with most of the action taking place in a studio town. What the film does have going for it--in addition to Scott-- is the great Marie Windsor as, surprise, surprise, a dancehall girl. I just wish they had given her more to do. Some verbal face-offs between her and Scott would be explosive. Looks to me also like director deToth couldn't really engage with the script, despite his proved record with outstanding westerns—Ramrod (1947), Day of the Outlaw (1959).
Overall, the oater shows off Scott's powerful presence, but, I'm sorry to say, not much else.
- dougdoepke
- 27 ago 2014
- Permalink
Sorry not a review but don't know where else to express an opinion? I read a lot of these reviews but never feel competent to write one. Sharing a great review that's complete & hopefully with any extra info about the film & it's actors or directors or just anything that pertains to the movie .. i'm sure even an average review is the result of tons of research! .. Anyway, considering the volume of reviews that i read (any movie or series i peruse urges me to check the reviews & i watch a lot of old movies) i must be somewhat qualified to review the reviewers? Really all that i came to share is a couple sentences but for some reason i had to find 600+ words in order to submit. Yeah that's the reason for my scintillating comments so far. Sorry. Ok so the first review that i read for this film was by "hitchcockthelegend" & it's truly imo GREAT! The story is properly covered plus there's tons of that extra information that i enjoy so much! It's a longer review yet i found every bit of it interesting & informative. The description
that crosses my mind is "well rounded". No doubt you've heard the expression
"if you only read one of these
(reviews) - this is the one you should read!" .. i am completely aware that i am not a writer & usually i wouldn't embarrass myself this way but i just thought that the review i'm speaking of is worth the shame! Considering that i really am not easily impressed i feel compelled to share & celebrate when i finally am! Thank you so much if this actually is printed!
- davislaurie
- 1 apr 2023
- Permalink