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The Hangman

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6.3/10 • 34

1959-06-171h 27m

Western

He was a U.S. Marshal but the name they called him was ... The Hangman.

A marshal nicknamed "The Hangman" because of his track record in hunting down and capturing wanted criminals traces a robbery suspect to a small town. However, the man is known and liked in the town, and the citizens band together to try to help him avoid capture.

Directors
Michael Curtiz
Writters
Dudley Nichols
Editors
Dudley Nichols, Terry O. Morse

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Robert Taylor

    Robert Taylor

    Mackenzie Bovard

  2. Tina Louise

    Tina Louise

    Selah Jennison

  3. Fess Parker

    Fess Parker

    Sheriff Buck Weston

  4. Jack Lord

    Jack Lord

    Johnny Bishop

  5. Gene Evans

    Gene Evans

    "Big Murph" Murphy

  6. Mickey Shaughnessy

    Mickey Shaughnessy

    Al Cruse

  7. Shirley Harmer

    Shirley Harmer

    Kitty Bishop

  8. James Westerfield

    James Westerfield

    Herb Loftus

  9. Mabel Albertson

    Mabel Albertson

    Amy Hopkins

Reviews2

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Aug 25, 2015

7/10

Marshal Mac Bovard - The Hangman. 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

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
$1,000,000.00
Keywords
robberyhangmanwanted