Le Bourreau du Nevada

Plus points were Robert Taylor, the before-they-were-famous appearances of several of the cast, and a reasonably fresh plot. (By 1959 virtually every conventional Western theme had been over-repeated.)

But there were several flaws in how the producers depicted the Selah Jennison character, not least the exaggerated head-turning sequences after she'd bought some new clothes. Shortly after her sensational parade through town, she goes skinny-dipping (not uncommon in Westerns) and makes a point of attracting Mackenzie Bovard's attention. Perhaps I could look at the film again to make a particular note of how her attitude to the deputy marshal changed, fluctuated even.

Grilled cell windows facing onto an alleyway feature in many Westerns, but it was only when I was watching "The Hangman" that I realised what a security risk many of these would have been. So wide-spaced were the bars that a hand gun - or even something larger - could have been passed through them to the prisoner.

As others have remarked, the last couple of minutes of the film provided an ending that was none too satisfactory.

This one has a flawlessly-written script by Dudley Nichols, the screenwriter of many well-known movies from 1930 to 1960 such as "Stagecoach" "The Bells of St. Mary's" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls". There's often a good moral lesson to be learned from a screenplay written by Nichols. The original story was by Luke Short, the author of many Western novels.

The cast is very good too with Robert Taylor as the "Hangman" Deputy Marshall, and several people who would later become familiar TV stars: Tina Louise, Jack Lord, Fess Parker and briefly, Lorne Green. And of course you can't go wrong with the direction of the great Michael Curtiz ("Casablanca") who, like Nichols, was nearing the end of his career.

I especially liked the story, it's deeper than most westerns, as it explores the themes of justice, loyalty, and forgiveness.

The Hangman is directed by Michael Curtiz and written by Dudley Nichols and Luke Short. It stars Robert Taylor, Tina Louise, Fess Parker and Jack Lord. Music is by Harry Sukman and cinematography by Loyal Griggs.

Marshal Bovard (Taylor) arrives in town to identify and arrest the last of four outlaws who robbed a Wells Fargo stage. Unfortunately for Bovard, the man he seeks is very popular with everyone in town and nobody is keen to help the Marshal do his job.

It is thought, and on reflection it seems likely, that The Hangman is a caustic jab at grassers/finks, with the Hollywood Blacklist never far from the film makers thoughts. Bovard is a grumpy and rough fellow, a jobs-worth who has almost zero faith in the human race. He's confident that the people of this border town wont take much persuading to give up an outlaw, more so as he has money to offer as well. How wrong he is, and the rest of the film follows Bovard as he bangs his head against brick walls, until the banging stops and a light-bulb lights up over his head, perhaps not all people are bad?

In truth not a lot happens, there's no action of note, this is more about morality, redemption, human foibles et al. Yet the literary aspects of the story hold tight, keeping the viewers engaged till the end. It's a very nice looking and sounding picture as well, the absence of airy vistas is not a hindrance as Curtiz and Griggs utilise the interiors for some psychological results that deftly suit the narrative's pointed edges. While the sound mix and musical accompaniments achieve the best results possible to aid the tale.

It's a strange one in that it's more a film in a Western setting than being overtly a Western, it's also a little subversive. It even throws something of an annoying curve ball at the finale, though the makers were probably chuckling away to themselves about this as well. Great and sexy turns from the lead actors sees the material safely onto a healthy grazing pasture, to make it a recommended picture to fans of the stars and of literary Oaters. 7/10

Movie casts a lot of 60s tv stars that make it hard to stop watching. Robert Taylor come across as a real dick to Tina Louise and is way too old for her. But she won't identify ex-boyfriend Johnny who's run a straight and productive life since being an unknowing accomplice to a Wells Fargo heist. Everybody in town likes fugitive Jack Lord. Even Sheriff Daniel Boone won't arrest him and falls for Johnny's ex-girl. So it's up to Taylor to "book him Denno". You'll recognize a lot of the actors and try to recall where you saw them before which makes it interesting to watch. Spent a lot of time looking up actor on IMDB.

An uncompromising marshal known as 'the Hangman' (Robert Taylor) rides into a town to apprehend a suspect (Jack Lord), but needs a witness to identify him and so enlists a struggling young woman (Tina Louise). Fess Parker plays the sheriff of the town.

While "The Hangman" (1959) is a town-bound Western and hindered by the flat B&W photography, the story is good, which is the most important part. You get to know the characters and the film leaves you with a good feeling.

Tina Louise was only 23 during shooting (almost 24) and looks great, not to mention a convincing actress. Five or six years later she would start her 3-year run in Gilligan's Island. Shirley Harmer is also notable on the feminine front as Kitty, the wife of Johnny Bishop.

If you like Robert Taylor, be sure to check him out in the eponymous role of "The Law and Jake Wade" (1958), a standout 50's Western.

The movie is short & sweet at 1 hour, 26 minutes, and was shot at Old Tucson, Arizona, and Paramount Studios & Ranch, California.

GRADE: B/B-