The Bounty Hunter (1954)

A bounty hunter, hired by Pinkerton, trails 3 unknown murderous train robbers to a town and finds a host of suspects.

Director:

André De Toth (as Andre de Toth)

Writers:

Winston Miller (screenplay), Winston Miller (story)

Stars:

Randolph Scott, Dolores Dorn, Marie Windsor

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Randolph Scott	...	Jim Kipp
Dolores Dorn	...	Julie Spencer
Marie Windsor	...	Alice Williams
Howard Petrie	...	Sheriff Brand
Harry Antrim	...	Dr. R.L. Spencer
Robert Keys	...	George Williams
Ernest Borgnine	...	Bill Rachin
Dub Taylor	...	Eli Danvers (as Dubb Taylor)
Tyler MacDuff	...	Vance Edwards
Archie Twitchell	...	Harrison
Paul Picerni	...	Jud
Phil Chambers	...	Ed
Mary Lou Holloway	...	Mrs. Harrison

Storyline

A year after a violent train robbery the Pinkerton detective agency hires a bounty hunter to find the three remaining killers. He tracks them to Twin Forks but has no clue to their identity. Tensions surface as just his presence in town acts as a catalyst.

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Plot Keywords:

investigation | 

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Taglines:

THE HIGHER THE REWARD THE HOTTER THE GUN HE USED TO COLLECT IT!!! (original three-sheet poster-all caps)

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: Forward During the early days when civilization was pushing its frontiers farther and farther West, there roamed a special breed of men...neither outlaws nor officers of the law, yet more feared than either. For reward money...they tracked down criminals, wanted Dead or Alive, and made themselves both judge and executioner in some lonely court of no appeal. They were called "Bounty Hunters".

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Goofs

In the opening scene, Randolph Scott is shot at by an ambusher, and rides away, climbs a very tall hill, where his clothing appears very dirty from the climb. After he shoots the ambusher in the next shot Scott's clothes are clean.

User Reviews

Scott Showcase, But Not Much Else

Plot heavy western that should please Scott fans, even if the film doesn't. In fact, the lantern jaw actor carries the 80-minutes, at the same time supporting players drift in and out rather aimlessly. Bounty hunter Kipp (Scott) is on the trail of three baddies who've blended into Twin Forks, so that their identities are now hidden. As a result, Kipp has to figure out who the guilty ones are. Trouble is the townspeople don't take kindly to being under suspicion, so he's got his work cut out for him.

A plot like this relies greatly on script, which I found pretty loosely structured. Except for Kipp, none of the other many characters are sharply etched. Thus the mystery element never really gels, and with that goes much of the suspense until the last ten minutes. As you might expect this is not a scenic western, with most of the action taking place in a studio town. What the film does have going for it--in addition to Scott-- is the great Marie Windsor as, surprise, surprise, a dancehall girl. I just wish they had given her more to do. Some verbal face-offs between her and Scott would be explosive. Looks to me also like director deToth couldn't really engage with the script, despite his proved record with outstanding westerns—Ramrod (1947), Day of the Outlaw (1959).

Overall, the oater shows off Scott's powerful presence, but, I'm sorry to say, not much else.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Bounty Hunter

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Transcona Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (WarnerColor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1