BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK is a taut and terrific melodrama of a town silenced by a mean-spirited bully (ROBERT RYAN) and too afraid to be civil to a man who comes to the hot-baked desert town to deliver a posthumous medal to a Japanese farmer. SPENCER TRACY is the man on a mission and he doesn't know what he's in for until he steps off that train and has to deal with some mighty cantankerous citizens, full of hatred, fear and prejudice.
The intricate suspense and menace of the tale is apparent from the start. You'll never see a more convincing pair of villains than ERNEST BOGNINE and LEE MARVIN, both of whom are determined to chase Tracy out of town. ANNE FRANCIS has little to do as the only female in the cast, but does it well, and JOHN ERICSON is convincing as her boyfriend. DEAN JAGGER adds his own brand of acting to the role of a weak-willed sheriff.
The final confrontation between Tracy and Borgnine wraps up the tale in a satisfying conclusion. John Sturges' direction is right on mark, keeping the tale down to a trim 81 minutes, during which time there is no let-up in suspense.
Summing up: One of Tracy's best latter day roles in a modern day morality tale.
The intricate suspense and menace of the tale is apparent from the start. You'll never see a more convincing pair of villains than ERNEST BOGNINE and LEE MARVIN, both of whom are determined to chase Tracy out of town. ANNE FRANCIS has little to do as the only female in the cast, but does it well, and JOHN ERICSON is convincing as her boyfriend. DEAN JAGGER adds his own brand of acting to the role of a weak-willed sheriff.
The final confrontation between Tracy and Borgnine wraps up the tale in a satisfying conclusion. John Sturges' direction is right on mark, keeping the tale down to a trim 81 minutes, during which time there is no let-up in suspense.
Summing up: One of Tracy's best latter day roles in a modern day morality tale.