Rage at Dawn (1955)

A special agent from Chicago is sent out west to bring in the notorious Reno brothers.

Director:

Tim Whelan

Writers:

Horace McCoy (screenplay), Frank Gruber (story)

Stars:

Randolph Scott, Forrest Tucker, Mala Powers

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Randolph Scott	...	James Barlow
Forrest Tucker	...	Frank Reno
Mala Powers	...	Laura Reno
J. Carrol Naish	...	Simeon 'Sim' Reno
Edgar Buchanan	...	Judge
Myron Healey	...	John Reno
Howard Petrie	...	Lattimore - Prosecuting Attorney
Ray Teal	...	Sheriff of Seymour
William Forrest	...	William Peterson
Denver Pyle	...	Clint Reno
Trevor Bardette	...	Fisher
Kenneth Tobey	...	Monk Claxton

Storyline

Terrorizing 1866 Indiana, the Reno brothers gang uses the town of Seymour as a safe haven, paying off three crooked town officials. Sent in to clean up the gang is Peterson Detective Agency operative James Barlow, who poses as an outlaw to gain the confidence of the officials and the thick-headed brothers. Complicating matters are Barlow's feelings for the Reno sister, Laura, who reluctantly keeps house for the boys out of family loyalty. Events heat up and rage surfaces as Barlow sets up the gang in a dawn train robbery.

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Plot Keywords:

revisionist western | outlaw brothers | trapped outlaw | b western | low budget film | 

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Taglines:

ONE MAN'S COURAGE CAN BREAK THEIR GRIP OF TERROR! (origina poster-all caps)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Train being robbed both times is Sierra Railway #3 out of Jamestown, CA.

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Goofs

In the second train robbery, the sound of the steam locomotive is on a 2-3 second loop and was added in post production.

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Quotes

First Townswoman: [Looking at the corrupt politians walking down the street] There kind'd never be elected if the women folk could vote.
Second Townswoman: Yeah, but we'll get the vote one day.

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Connections

Featured in The Sierra Number 3 Locomotive: A Star Is Reborn (2012)

User Reviews

Formula Scott Western

Any movie that has J. Carroll Naish as a cowboy can't be all bad (he's good) and pros like Kenneth Tobey and Edgar Buchanon have a certain "authenticity" that benefits a western. Forrest Tucker could be a good guy or a bad guy as the occasion demanded. Here, he's in his nasty, bad guy mode, pumping lead at people and even burning an informer alive. Tucker heads a gang of notorious robbers, including three of his brothers, that owns the corrupt lawmen of one Indiana county. In order to undo them, Randolph Scott, a resourceful spy, must be infiltrated into the gang. To complicate matters, Tucker and Naish's sister, who disapproves of their illegal ways, falls in love with Scott but is disillusioned when he appears to be an outlaw like them. Almost everything (there is a slight surprise at the end) works out as one would expect. Scott's presence carried many a mediocre western and, with interesting actors supporting him, it happens here but don't expect anything more than variations on a familiar theme.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 June 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rage at Dawn

Filming Locations:

Honey Run Covered Bridge, Chico, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nat Holt Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1