La Cité des tueurs

The Corbett-Fitzsimmons fight of 1897 draws to Carson City every outlaw of the territory, eager for the pickings. But Brett Stanton has bigger ideas! Like robbing the box office of a high profile prizefight.

City of Badmen is an unusual western, mainly due to its setting - a prizefight- as well as being a caper. It's a fairly intriguing western with enough conflict and some intelligent dialogue. A little talky at times and it takes a little time to get going, but it does draw you in, at least mildly. The best acting is from Dale Robertson who has a conscience and is conflicted over his criminal life - he clashes with his brother (Lloyd bridges) as well as Richard Boone, who, in no surprise, is the heavy. If you like unusual westerns with a unique setting and characterisation, then City of the Badmen is right up your creek.

A great deal of care has been taken to ensure authenticity in the settings of the period and details concerning the fight. The boxing style itself has changed so radically since 1897 that John Day and Gil Perkins, who are seen as Corbett and Fitzsimmons, trained industriously for their boxing scenes to create the authentic style. A veteran stuntman, Gil Perkins has staged some of the most exciting fights in screen history (John Wayne and Randolph Scott brawl in The Spoilers comes to mind)

This movie essentially begins with a small group of mercenaries, who had fought on the losing side in the Mexican Civil War, riding back to the United States with very little to show for their efforts. So, to remedy that situation, their leader, "Brett Sullivan" (Dale Robertson) has come up with a plan for them to rob the bank in the sparsely populated town of Carson City, Nevada and then ride off before any of the villagers can do anything about it. Unfortunately, when they finally ride into town, they are shocked to discover that it has grown quite a bit since they were there six years earlier. Not only that, but it also just happens to be hosting a heavyweight boxing championship that is bringing in visitors from all around as well. So, rather than continuing on with their earlier plan, Brett quickly devises a new scheme that involves stealing the $100,000 prize fund from the boxing match instead. But to do that, he must also contend with two other gangs of outlaws who share a similar interest in this money as well. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay Western which benefited from solid acting from several actors including Richard Boone (as "Johnny Ringo"), Lloyd Bridges ("Gar Stanton"), Jeanne Crain ("Linda Culligan") and the aforementioned Dale Robertson. One slight criticism I have is that it also contained a number of sub-plots which, I believe, could have used a bit more development. But that's just a minor issue. Be that as it may, I thought still thought it was good enough for the time spent and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

City Of Bad Men is Carson City, Nevada and that frontier town which was just beginning to show traces of civilization in 1897 is the host to the title defense of the heavyweight championship by James J. Corbett against the Cornish blacksmith Bob Fitzsimmons. There's lots of action outside the ring as well as three different gangs of outlaws all have plans to rob the proceeds of the fight.

The gangs are led by Dale Robertson, Richard Boone, and Dan Haggerty. Robertson is actually from the area and reestablishes himself with Jeanne Crain, the girl he left behind. But Robertson took her younger brother with him who got killed and she's not forgiving.

Robertson is like John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance who is a man of the west, but knows the day of six gun law is coming to a close. In fact some of the themes of Liberty Valance are explored here with a different twist.

With the law closing in on the gangs there's more action outside the ring than inside where history records the tough blacksmith from Cornwall wore down the champion from San Francisco and knocked him out.

Of performances to note one would definitely be that Lloyd Bridges as Robertson's younger and wilder brother.

City Of Bad Men weaves a nice western tale into the most famous day Carson City, Nevada ever saw.

City of Bad Men was released by 20th Century Fox in 1953. The story takes place in Carson City, Nevada in 1897. The whole territory is excited about a boxing match between Gentleman Jim Corbett & Bob Fitzsimmons. Several gangs of bad men converge on the town including Dale Robertson & his brother, Lloyd Bridges & another gang led by Richard Boone. A plot evolves to steal the large proceeds from this prizefight. Robertson meets up with old flame, Jeanne Crain, and begins to have 2nd thoughts about being involved in this robbery. Robertson & Crain look great together & should be remembered as on of the top romantic screen teams ( they were together previously on 1951's Take Care of my Little Girl ). Others in the cast included Carl Betz (later on the Donna Reed show) and Whitfield Connor who tries to marry Crain, but he's obviously no competition for our hero, Robertson.

Probably my favourites from director Harmon Jones whose CANYON RIVER was also excellent. But concerning this one, I don't know why, there is something that I like. Characters symphony, story, and the cast, so prestigious for such a small western: John Doucette, Leo Gordon in one of his earliest roles; and of course Richard Boone. I would say: forget Dale Robertson. Yes, I definitely have tenderness for this western, for its charm, despite the fact that there is not that much surprise in the end. Only enjoy the watch. I forgot that Twentieth century Fox made such small films in the fifties, and not only Universal, Republic or Paramount. One of the most offbeat showdown in the western history. Besides TERROR IN A TEXAS TOWN of course.