Stranger on Horseback (1955)

A circuit judge in the old west attempts to bring a suspected killer to justice. The judge runs afoul of the killer's rich cattle baron father in the process.

Director:

Jacques Tourneur

Writers:

Herb Meadow (screenplay), Don Martin (screenplay)

Stars:

Joel McCrea, Miroslava, Kevin McCarthy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joel McCrea	...	Judge Richard 'Rick' Thorne
Miroslava	...	Amy Lee Bannerman
Kevin McCarthy	...	Tom Bannerman
John McIntire	...	Josiah Bannerman
John Carradine	...	Col. Buck Streeter
Nancy Gates	...	Caroline Webb
Emile Meyer	...	Sheriff Nat Bell
Robert Cornthwaite	...	Arnold Hammer
Jaclynne Greene	...	Paula Morrison (as Jacklyn Green)
Walter Baldwin	...	Vince Webb
Emmett Lynn	...	Barfly
Roy Roberts	...	Sam Kettering
George Keymas	...	Bannerman's Henchman

Storyline

A circuit judge in the old west attempts to bring a suspected killer to justice. The judge runs afoul of the killer's rich cattle baron father in the process.

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Plot Keywords:

killer | judge | cattle baron | justice | suspected | 

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Taglines:

Thunder in the saddle ... greased lightning with his guns ... there never rode a man to match him !

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Genres:

Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1955 (UK)

Also Known As:

Einer gegen alle

Filming Locations:

Oak Creek, Sedona, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Leonard Goldstein Productions, Robert Goldstein Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Anscocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[After water's thrown in his face.]
Thorne: Thanks, it's a hot day.
Baddie: I don't like what you said.
Thorne: I said it was a hot day.
Baddie: Well, I don't like the way you said it.

User Reviews

Yes, there is a color version...and it's a bit ugly.

The review by Tom Slaback (tom-374) from Prescott, AZ says that he's only seen this film in black & white and wanted to know if a color version is available. Well, I rented the DVD and it IS is color, though the DVD indicates that there is no surviving negative and the copy is not optimal. In other words, while it's in color, the colors are a bit off (everybody appears sunburned because of the over-saturation of reds) and the print is a tad fuzzy.

The film begins with a new federal circuit judge (Joel McCrea) arriving in a western town. The first thing he notices is that all the businesses in town are owned by a man named Bannerman. The second thing he notices is that the sheriff and prosecuting attorney in town are bought and paid for by Bannerman--and he and his family can pretty much do as they please. It's obvious that there will soon be a showdown between the judge and Bannerman--and it's a fairly typical sort of plot for a western.

At times the plot is a lot like a lower budget "5:10 to Yuma" as well as "High Noon"--awfully good company in which to place any film. Despite having many familiar elements, Joel McCrea is so good in the film and the movie is made economically (not just cost but a lot of bang in such a short film), it's well worth seeing.