The Tall T (1957)

An independent former ranch foreman is kidnapped along with an heiress, who is being held for ransom by trio of ruthless outlaws.

Director:

Budd Boetticher

Writers:

Burt Kennedy (screenplay), Elmore Leonard (story)

Stars:

Randolph Scott, Richard Boone, Maureen O'Sullivan

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Randolph Scott	...	Pat Brennan
Richard Boone	...	Frank Usher
Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Doretta Mims
Arthur Hunnicutt	...	Ed Rintoon
Skip Homeier	...	Billy Jack
Henry Silva	...	Chink
John Hubbard	...	Willard Mims
Robert Burton	...	Tenvoorde

Storyline

Having lost his horse in a bet, Pat Brennan hitches a ride with a stagecoach carrying newlyweds, Willard and Doretta Mims. At the next station the coach and its passengers fall into the hands of a trio of outlaws headed by a man named Usher. When Usher learns that Doretta is the daughter of a rich copper-mine owner, he decides to hold her for ransom. Tension builds over the next 24 hours as Usher awaits a response to his demands and as a romantic attachment grows between Brennan and Doretta.

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Plot Keywords:

bet | stagecoach | outlaw | newlyweds | ransom | 

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Taglines:

Taut! Torrid! Tremendous! T Is for Terror!

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 April 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Um Kopf und Kragen

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers-Actors Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming it was called "The Captives" (Elmore Leonard's original story title) and/or "The Tall Rider". Just prior to release, the title was changed to "The Tall T," the name of the Tenvoorde ranch in the early scenes.

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Goofs

In the hideout is a fireplace with a highway torch burning in it. Commonly known as smudge pots, these round oil burners warned drivers of caution ahead. Patented in 1927 and commonly seen on roadways in the 1950s, this one somehow did a time warp back to the 1880's.

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Quotes

Doretta Mims: Well, what about you?
Pat Brennan: I'm going to finish this. If they come, I'm going to finish this once and for all.
Doretta Mims: Oh, but why?
Pat Brennan: Some things a man can't ride around.

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Connections

Referenced in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

User Reviews

One of the best of the Ranowns

Excellent low budget western with an intelligent script (thanks to Kennedy), tight directing and good acting. It tells its short, stark tale of abduction, murder, and attempted escape very well.

There was one moment early in the film where the way the camera moved just amazed me, but mostly there is nothing showy going on, just solid suspense and storytelling.

Scott is not his usual later era persona of the experienced but emotionally barren gunfighter -- instead he's refreshingly old-fashioned as an old ranch hand intent on striking it out on his own in the West.

First rate and very dark. 10 out of 10