Rancho Notorious (1952)
Genre: Western
Duration: 89 minuten
Alternative title: De Ranch der Verdoemden
Country:
United States
Directed by: Fritz Lang
Stars: Marlene Dietrich, Arthur Kennedy and Mel Ferrer
IMDb score:
6,8 (6.091)
Releasedate: 6 March 1952
Rancho Notorious plot
"Where anything goes… for a price!"
Former rancher Vern Haskell travels across the West in search of the man who robbed and killed his fiancée. One day, Vern learns that he can probably find the culprit on the 'Chuck-A-Luck'. In addition to a horse ranch, the Chuck-A-Luck' is a cover for illegal activities and is overseen by the sultry saloon singer Altar Keane. Vern can gain access to the Chuck-A-Luck by pretending to be an escaped convict. Altar warns Vern that the ranch's only rule is "Don't ask questions." Still, Vern finds a way to find out. Vern becomes conscientious when he learns that some visitors to the Chuck-A-Luck are planning to rob a bank. If he warns the sheriff in time, he probably won't find out about his fiancée's killer.
Actors and actresses
Altar Keane
Vern Haskell
Frenchy Fairmont
Beth Forbes
Baldy Gunder
Maxine
Dealer
Mort Geary
Wilson
Preacher
Reviews & comments
Movsin
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- 8286 messages
- 8442 votes
Very mediocre Western. A story about revenge, but Arthur Kennedy, who plays the role of revenger, does not put enough passion in his act and in fact the whole thing is diverted to sultry Marlene Dietrich, neatly in the role of femme fatale with social slant and generous of course. She sings a few times but I remember her best for her black humor in "See what the boys in the backroom will have, and tell them I died of the same..."
Film that finds no added value in the narrative flashbacks and the overly studio-like sets.
Translated from Dutch · View original
W.V.
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- 845 messages
- 476 votes
I've seen a lot of Lang's work, but I think this is one of his lesser works, not that it's bad, but I'm used to better from Lang.
What is also a bit disappointing is the combination of Dietrich and Kennedy, personally I prefer to see Kennedy in that of cynical opportunist / bad guy. Maybe that's why I think that the romance between him and Dietrich doesn't come into its own, I don't think Kennedy is an actor for romantic roles.
The story is started in an original way by the sung storyline, reminded me of Cat Balou.
The downside is also the occasionally bad decors, nothing wrong with a painting of the wild landscape of the west, but it didn't have to be that cheap either. Usually the westerns are drenched in beautiful landscape pictures, which I miss a bit here.
The acting performances are okay, although most of the roles are of the side kick level in the b-western. Ferrer lets Dietrich and Kennedy eat the cheese of the bread, he could have given a little more venom to his character, but refrains from doing so. Dietrich's singing performance made me understand what Madelihne Kahn based her role in Blazing Sadlels on. I had this film on my wish list to watch for a long time, it is not a bad film, but I expected more from Lang.
Translated from Dutch · View original
clubsport
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- 3890 messages
- 6993 votes
Not a real strong western, although it does have its moments, Dietrich plays nicely but in terms of looks she falls quite short.
The story is nice but it lacks real tension and that weird singing in between doesn't really help in that area either.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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