A one-armed stranger comes to a tiny town possessing a terrible past they want to keep secret, by violent means if necessary.A one-armed stranger comes to a tiny town possessing a terrible past they want to keep secret, by violent means if necessary.A one-armed stranger comes to a tiny town possessing a terrible past they want to keep secret, by violent means if necessary.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 4 wins & 8 nominations total
Walter Beaver
- Cafe Lounger
- (unconfirmed)
Billy Dix
- Cafe Lounger
- (unconfirmed)
Mickey Little
- Cafe Lounger
- (unconfirmed)
K.L. Smith
- Cafe Lounger
- (unconfirmed)
Robert Griffin
- Second Train Conductor
- (uncredited)
Harry Harvey
- First Train Conductor
- (uncredited)
Bobby Johnson
- One of Two Porters
- (uncredited)
Francis McDonald
- Tall - White-haired Cafe Lounger
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Sturges had already moved on to his next film, The Scarlet Coat (1955), so Herman Hoffman took charge of filming the opening. The plan was to shoot the train hurtling toward the audience, almost like a 3-D movie, but it would have been deadly to attempt a helicopter maneuver into the path of a speeding locomotive. Stunt flier Paul Mantz offered the perfect solution: have the train running backwards, fly the copter over the retreating engine, then project the footage in reverse. "It's a helluva shot," Sturges later said, "but I didn't make it."
- GoofsAs the train approaches the town, the horn blows twice, which is the signal for starting up. The mandatory signal for a grade crossing (long, long, short, long) is never blown, although one clearly exists. When the train departs, the conductor makes a confused hand signal to the engineer resembling the horizontal motion that means "stop" rather than the vertical motion that means "go". The engineer never responds with the "long, long" starting signal.
- Quotes
Coley Trimble: You're a yellow-bellied Jap lover! Am I right or wrong?
John J. Macreedy: You're not only wrong. You're wrong at the top of your voice.
Coley Trimble: [gets ready to scrap] You don't like my voice?
- Alternate versionsTo receive an 'A' (PG) certificate in 1955 the UK cinema version was subject to heavy BBFC cuts. These included Macreedy striking Hector with the brass fire hose nozzle and the climactic shots of Reno on fire. Later TV showings and video releases were fully uncut.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn (1986)
Featured review
" It isn't just that a man is dead, it's the fact , no one seems to care "
Spencer Tracy had a wonderful gift for the theater, his on screen persona was often able to offer audiences quality entertainment. Regardless of the many characters, Tracy's talent always shown through and became memories for his many fans. Here is one exceptional example. The movie, Directed by John Sturges, is called " Bad Day at Black Rock. " It relates the story of John Macreedy, (Spencer Tracy) a U.S. Army veteran who decides to visit the town of Black Rock, the hometown of a Japanese friend killed during the war. However upon arrival, he is greeted with suspicion, resentment and apathy. The longer he stays, the more questions he has to ask. Unfortunately, everyone he questions has been told not to talk to him. Led by Reno Smith (Robert Ryan), others are intimated not to co-operate with the stranger, The exceptional cast includes Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, Ernest Borgnine, Anne Francis and Lee Marvin. Though the vast scenic desert, surrounds this forgotten town, it nevertheless allows the foreboding atmosphere to commit itself to a linger secret which prevails and haunts the towns folks. An excellent film for a time when true drama could fit well into a pleasant afternoon. ****
- thinker1691
- Jul 30, 2010
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,271,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $10,813
- Runtime1 hour 21 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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