The Ox-Bow Incident (1942)

When a posse captures three men suspected of killing a local farmer, they become strongly divided over whether or not to lynch the men.

Director:

William A. Wellman

Writers:

Lamar Trotti (written for the screen by), Walter Van Tilburg Clark (from the novel by)

Stars:

Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Henry Fonda	...	Gil Carter
Dana Andrews	...	Donald Martin
Mary Beth Hughes	...	Rose Mapen
Anthony Quinn	...	Juan Martínez
William Eythe	...	Gerald Tetley
Harry Morgan	...	Art Croft (as Henry Morgan)
Jane Darwell	...	Ma Grier
Matt Briggs	...	Judge Daniel Tyler
Harry Davenport	...	Arthur Davies
Frank Conroy	...	Major Tetley
Marc Lawrence	...	Jeff Farnley
Paul Hurst	...	Monty Smith
Victor Kilian	...	Darby
Chris-Pin Martin	...	Poncho
Willard Robertson	...	Sheriff Risley

Storyline

Two drifters are passing through a Western town, when news comes in that a local farmer has been murdered and his cattle stolen. The townspeople, joined by the drifters, form a posse to catch the perpetrators. They find three men in possession of the cattle, and are determined to see justice done on the spot.

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Plot Keywords:

hanging | lynch mob | posse | miscarriage of justice | false accusation | 

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Taglines:

IT TOOK NERVE TO MAKE IT! YOU'LL NEED NERVE TO TAKE IT! (original print ad-all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Reunites Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell, who played Tom and Ma Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath" in 1940.

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Goofs

During opening sequences when Fonda is at the bar, the whiskey he is drinking changes from clear to dark.

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Quotes

[Carter and Croft are out with the posse]
Gil Carter: Doin' this in the middle of the night's crazy.
Art Croft: Thought you liked excitement?
Gil Carter: I got nothin' particular against hangin' a murderin' rustler; it's just I don't like doin' it in the dark. There's always some crazy fool who'll lose his head and start hangin' everybody in sight.
Art Croft: Us?
Gil Carter: Funnier things have happened.
Art Croft: Well, we didn't have to come.
Gil Carter: Look kinda funny if we hadn't, wouldn't it?

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits an ad for U.S. war savings bonds is shown on the screen. It says that "15,000 movie theatres are now selling U.S. war savings stamps and bonds! Buy yours in this theatre."

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Connections

Referenced in The Pickle (1993)

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Soundtracks

Great Camp Meeting in the Promised Land
(uncredited)
Traditional Negro Spiritual
Performed a cappella by Leigh Whipper

User Reviews

Before 12 angry men.

An excellent movie that avoid the western cliché, bringing a Theatrical Drama about reason, justice and piety.

Everything works perfectly, in terms of sound, ambiance and plot. Exception made by the role of Mary Beth Hughes. The protagonist's frustrated romance does'nt add nothing relevant to presents Gil Carter's personality.

The letter reading scene is absolutelly beautiful and very meaningful, totally worth the movie. This Western deserves more recognition from the overall public.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

21 May 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ox-Bow Incident

Filming Locations:

Chatsworth, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$565,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1