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IMDbPro

Bad Day at Black Rock

  • 19551955
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
22K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
8,820
243
Spencer Tracy, Anne Francis, and Robert Ryan in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Trailer for this mystery
Play trailer2:02
1 Video
47 Photos
CrimeDramaMystery
A one-armed stranger comes to a tiny town possessing a terrible past they want to keep secret, by violent means if necessary.A one-armed stranger comes to a tiny town possessing a terrible past they want to keep secret, by violent means if necessary.A one-armed stranger comes to a tiny town possessing a terrible past they want to keep secret, by violent means if necessary.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
22K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
8,820
243
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • John Sturges
    • Writers
      • Millard Kaufman(screen play)
      • Don McGuire(adaptation)
      • Howard Breslin(based on a story by)
    • Stars
      • Spencer Tracy
      • Robert Ryan
      • Anne Francis
    Top credits
    • Director
      • John Sturges
    • Writers
      • Millard Kaufman(screen play)
      • Don McGuire(adaptation)
      • Howard Breslin(based on a story by)
    • Stars
      • Spencer Tracy
      • Robert Ryan
      • Anne Francis
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 185User reviews
    • 76Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Bad Day At Black Rock
    Trailer 2:02
    Bad Day At Black Rock

    Photos47

    Spencer Tracy and John Ericson in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    Spencer Tracy, Walter Brennan, Lee Marvin, Russell Collins, Dean Jagger, Robert Ryan, and Walter Sande in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    Spencer Tracy, Walter Brennan, and John Ericson in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    Spencer Tracy, Anne Francis, and Robert Ryan in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    Ernest Borgnine, Walter Brennan, Robert Ryan, and Walter Sande in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    "Bad Day at Black Rock" Spencer Tracy, Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine 1955 MGM
    "Bad Day at Black Rock" Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin 1955 MGM
    "Bad Day at Black Rock" Spencer Tracy, Ernest Borgnine 1955 MGM
    Spencer Tracy, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, and Robert Ryan in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    Spencer Tracy, Anne Francis, and Robert Ryan in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
    "Bad Day at Black Rock" (Lobby Card) Spencer Tracy 1955 MGM

    Top cast

    Edit
    Spencer Tracy
    Spencer Tracy
    • John J. Macreedy
    Robert Ryan
    Robert Ryan
    • Reno Smith
    Anne Francis
    Anne Francis
    • Liz Wirth
    Dean Jagger
    Dean Jagger
    • Tim Horn
    Walter Brennan
    Walter Brennan
    • Doc Velie
    John Ericson
    John Ericson
    • Pete Wirth
    Ernest Borgnine
    Ernest Borgnine
    • Coley Trimble
    Lee Marvin
    Lee Marvin
    • Hector David
    Russell Collins
    Russell Collins
    • Mr. Hastings
    Walter Sande
    Walter Sande
    • Sam
    Walter Beaver
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    Billy Dix
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    Mickey Little
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    K.L. Smith
    K.L. Smith
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    Robert Griffin
    Robert Griffin
    • Second Train Conductor
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Harvey
    Harry Harvey
    • First Train Conductor
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Johnson
    • One of Two Porters
    • (uncredited)
    Francis McDonald
    Francis McDonald
    • Tall - White-haired Cafe Lounger
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Sturges
    • Writers
      • Millard Kaufman(screen play)
      • Don McGuire(adaptation)
      • Howard Breslin(based on a story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Sturges had already moved on to his next film, The Scarlet Coat (1955), so Herman Hoffman took charge of filming the opening. The plan was to shoot the train hurtling toward the audience, almost like a 3-D movie, but it would have been deadly to attempt a helicopter maneuver into the path of a speeding locomotive. Stunt flier Paul Mantz offered the perfect solution: have the train running backwards, fly the copter over the retreating engine, then project the footage in reverse. "It's a helluva shot," Sturges later said, "but I didn't make it."
    • Goofs
      As the train approaches the town, the horn blows twice, which is the signal for starting up. The mandatory signal for a grade crossing (long, long, short, long) is never blown, although one clearly exists. When the train departs, the conductor makes a confused hand signal to the engineer resembling the horizontal motion that means "stop" rather than the vertical motion that means "go". The engineer never responds with the "long, long" starting signal.
    • Quotes

      Coley Trimble: You're a yellow-bellied Jap lover! Am I right or wrong?

      John J. Macreedy: You're not only wrong. You're wrong at the top of your voice.

      Coley Trimble: [gets ready to scrap] You don't like my voice?

    • Alternate versions
      To receive an 'A' (PG) certificate in 1955 the UK cinema version was subject to heavy BBFC cuts. These included Macreedy striking Hector with the brass fire hose nozzle and the climactic shots of Reno on fire. Later TV showings and video releases were fully uncut.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn (1986)

    User reviews185

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Legendary actor Spencer Tracy leads notable cast in unmissable film
    "Bad Day at Black Rock" is only a short film by present day standards (at just 81 minutes) but in that time it manages to pack in more intrigue, mystery and action than many Hollywood films of two hours or more. Expertly directed by John Sturges in breathtaking colour and CinemaScope the film holds your attention throughout its tight running time. "Bad Day at Black Rock" has an exceptionally talented supporting cast including Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, Anne Francis, John Ericson, Dean Jagger and Walter Brennan who all give accomplished performances - particularly the baddies Ryan, Borgnine and Marvin.

    Spencer Tracy was deservedly nominated for the Best Actor Award but unfortunately for him 1955 was a very exceptional year with so many fine performances from other actors including Ernest Borgnine in "Marty" (the winner), James Cagney in "Love Me Or Leave Me", James Dean in "East of Eden", and Frank Sinatra in "The Man With the Golden Arm". Tracy had in fact won the Best Actor Award twice before - for "Captains Courageous" in 1937 and for "Boys Town" in 1938 so his memorable screen acting had already been recognised by the Academy voters two years running.

    Tracy plays the mysterious John J. MacReedy who arrives at the small Western town of Black Rock causing suspicion and concern among the local residents who are hiding a dark secret which MacReedy eventually uncovers. Robert Ryan (Reno Smith) is the chief heavy well supported by his two menacing henchmen Ernest Borgnine (Coley Trimble) and Lee Marvin (Hector David) who are intent on getting rid of Tracy one way or another. Insults and intimidation seem to have no effect on Tracy who is determined to carry on with his one man investigation against all the odds. With the eventual help of Anne Francis (Liz Wirth) and Walter Brennan (Doc Velie) Tracy doggedly pursues his mission through the 24 hours period of the film. When threats and violence won't stop Tracy then Ryan has to resort to attempted murder leading to the dramatic climax.

    Some favourite lines:

    Tracy (to Marvin): "I don't know why you're so interested but the name is MacReedy. It's all in the ledger".

    Borgnine (to Tracy): "Well, if it's not MacReedy, the world's champion road hog".

    Walter Brennan (to Tracy): "They're going to kill you with no hard feelings". Tracy: "And you're going to sit there and let 'em do it!".

    Train Conductor: "What's all the excitement? What happened?". Tracy: "A shooting". Train Conductor: "Thought it was something. First time this train line has stopped here in four years". Tracy: "Second time!". (Last line in film).

    "Bad Day at Black Rock" is a superior high class thriller that deserves to be in anyone's "Top Ten" list of all time classic films. It's certainly in mine! 10/10. Clive Roberts.
    helpful•81
    22
    • clive-38
    • Nov 29, 2000

    FAQ3

    • If Mcreedy is one armed, how can he manage a perfecly knotted tie?
    • Was the small town of Black Rock built for the movie or was it already in place?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 13, 1955 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bad Day at Hondo
    • Filming locations
      • Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,271,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,813
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

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