Summary
A man in search of revenge infiltrates a ranch, hidden in an inhospitable region, where its owner, Altar Keane, gives shelter to outlaws fleeing from the law in exchange for a price.
Cast
Marlene Dietrich
Altar Keane
Arthur Kennedy
Vern Haskell
Mel Ferrer
Frenchy Fairmont
Gloria Henry
Beth Forbes
William Frawley
Baldy Gunder
Lisa Ferraday
Maxine
John Raven
Dealer
Jack Elam
Mort Geary
George Reeves
Wilson
Frank Ferguson
Preacher
Francis McDonald
Harbin
Dan Seymour
Comanche Paul
John Kellogg
Jeff Factor
Rodd Redwing
Rio
Lane Chandler
Sheriff Hardy (uncredited)
John Doucette
Whitey (uncredited)
Dick Elliott
Storyteller (uncredited)
Lloyd Gough
Kinch (uncredited)
Fred Graham
Ace Maguire (uncredited)
William Haade
Sheriff Sam Bullock (uncredited)
I. Stanford Jolley
Deputy Warren (uncredited)
Fuzzy Knight
Barber (uncredited)
Emory Parnell
Sheriff (uncredited)
Russell Johnson
Chuck-A-Luck Wheel Spinner (uncredited)
Victor Adamson
Racer with Fat Girl (uncredited)
Roger Anderson
Red (uncredited)
Al Bain
Race Spectator (uncredited)
Ray Beltram
Barfly (uncredited)
Stanley Blystone
Rancher in Posse (uncredited)
John Bose
Deputy (uncredited)
John Breen
Barfly (uncredited)
Nora Bush
Townswoman (uncredited)
Charlita
Mexican Girl in Bar (uncredited)
Bing Conley
Race Spectator (uncredited)
Edgar Dearing
Sheriff #4 (uncredited)
Joe Dominguez
Gonzales (uncredited)
Art Felix
Posse Rider (uncredited)
Joe Garcio
Racer (uncredited)
John George
Race Spectator (uncredited)
Robert Griffin
Politician in Jail Cell (uncredited)
Herman Hack
Posse Rider (uncredited)
Al Haskell
Townsman (uncredited)
Jack Hendricks
Gambler (uncredited)
Tex Holden
Barfly (uncredited)
Frank Jaquet
Politician in Jail Cell (uncredited)
Ray Jones
Man on Porch (uncredited)
Harry Lauter
Deputy at Gunsight (uncredited)
Nolan Leary
Doc (uncredited)
Grace Lenard
Saloon Girl (uncredited)
Tom London
Deputy in Gunsight (uncredited)
Jack Low
Bartender (uncredited)
Pierce Lyden
Henchman (uncredited)
Hank Mann
Man on Porch (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard
Deputy in Gunsight (uncredited)
Merrill McCormick
Race Spectator (uncredited)
Mathew McCue
Race Spectator (uncredited)
Ewing Mitchell
Suitor (uncredited)
Alex Montoya
Cantina Bartender (uncredited)
Charles Morton
Bartender with Gunder (uncredited)
Paul Newlan
Deputy in Gunsight (uncredited)
Artie Ortego
Barfly (uncredited)
José Portugal
Barfly (uncredited)
Stuart Randall
Starr (uncredited)
Robert Robinson
Townsman in Office (uncredited)
Buddy Roosevelt
Deputy (uncredited)
Ralph Sanford
Politician (uncredited)
Allen D. Sewall
Townsman (uncredited)
Lucile Sewall
Townswoman (uncredited)
Mabel Smaney
Saloon Girl (uncredited)
Tom Smith
Clay Springs Townsman (uncredited)
James Stone
Doctor Who Attends Beth (uncredited)
Forrest Taylor
Posse Member (uncredited)
Felipe Turich
Sanchez (uncredited)
Dick Wessel
Deputy (uncredited)
Billy Wilkerson
Indian (uncredited)
Harry Woods
Marshal McDonald (uncredited)
Fuzzy Knight
The Barber (uncredited)
Crew
Director
Fritz Lang
Lyricist
Ken Darby
Original Story
Silvia Richards
Screenplay
Daniel Taradash
Reviews
Wuchak
September 11, 2022
6
**_Western oddity about a ranch haven for outlaws led by Marlene Dietrich_**
A vengeful Wyoming ranch hand (Arthur Kennedy) relentlessly pursues the cowardly murderer of his fiancé (Gloria Henry). He eventually teams-up with a smooth brigand (Mel Ferrer) in the Southwest who takes him to a hacienda that’s a secret sanctuary for hooligans led by a former saloon entertainer named Altar Keane (Dietrich).
The last of three Westerns directed by Fritz Lang, "Rancho Notorious" (1952) is a largely set-bound stylized ‘B’ movie that distorts reality in its implementation of artificial backdrops and shadowy interiors, which is why some view it as Western noir. The closest comparison would be “Johnny Guitar” (1954), but this one isn’t in the same ballpark of exceptionalness. The story’s just not as compelling.
Yet there’s enough entertainment value here for those interested. Marlene was 50 during shooting yet still in shape and easily looking ten years younger. The amusing bar room race where the ladies ride the backs of drunken men like horses is a highlight with Altar Keane’s pure joy at winning the race being priceless.
In the gambling sequence, look for a young Russell Johnson, aka the Professor on Gilligan’s Island. The film runs 1 hour, 29 minutes, and was shot at studios in North Hollywood and Hollywood (e.g. Republic Studios).
GRADE: B-
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00
