The Tall T (1957)

An independent former ranch foreman is kidnapped along with an heiress, who is being held for ransom by trio of ruthless outlaws.

Director:

Budd Boetticher

Writers:

Burt Kennedy (screenplay), Elmore Leonard (based on a story by)

Stars:

Randolph Scott, Richard Boone, Maureen O'Sullivan

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Randolph Scott	...	Pat Brennan
Richard Boone	...	Frank Usher
Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Doretta Mims
Arthur Hunnicutt	...	Ed Rintoon
Skip Homeier	...	Billy Jack
Henry Silva	...	Chink
John Hubbard	...	Willard Mims
Robert Burton	...	Tenvoorde

Storyline

Having lost his horse in a bet, Pat Brennan hitches a ride with a stagecoach carrying newlyweds, Willard and Doretta Mims. At the next station the coach and its passengers fall into the hands of a trio of outlaws headed by a man named Usher. When Usher learns that Doretta is the daughter of a rich copper-mine owner, he decides to hold her for ransom. Tension builds over the next 24 hours as Usher awaits a response to his demands and as a romantic attachment grows between Brennan and Doretta.

---

Plot Keywords:

deserted way station | way station master | way station | stagecoach relay station | arizona | 

---

Taglines:

Taut! Torrid! Tremendous! T Is for Terror!

---

Genres:

Romance | Thriller | Western

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

At 45 Maureen O'Sullivan was widely felt to be too old for her character.

---

Goofs

Brennan approaches the station keeper and his son while riding on a horse with spots that look like they were painted on the sides of the animal, showing large drip marks running down in several places. However, when Brennan next rides into town, his horse's spots are now generally larger, more solid looking and with fewer, more subtle drippy areas showing on its sides.

---

Quotes

Doretta Mims: Terrible things have happened these past two days, yet all I can do is think of myself. All I can do is look at myself and feel foolish. And do you know why? Because I know now he never cared for me! That he married me for his own interests!
[She cries]
Doretta Mims: I saw him killed just now, and I couldn't even feel sorry for him. all I could do was think that he didn't love me. That he didn't care that...
Pat Brennan: Now you listen to me, Mrs. Mims.
[She sobs]
Pat Brennan: Your husband married you for money. You know it, and I know it...
[...]

---

Connections

Featured in Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That (2005)

User Reviews

Fulfilling meal of a movie

There's nothing epic about this well-crafted, workman-like western, and that works in its favor. Randolph Scott is wonderful as the world-weary small-time rancher who's pursuing a better life at an age when most men in those days were either retired or dead. He meets his evil double in the guise of Richard Boone, who finds himself out of place with the heartless thugs he finds himself running with. It's his fate but he yearns for the life that Scott has chosen. Wonderful location work. Dialogue and action are used to service the story and that's all, as it should be. As fulfilling and satisfying a movie as a good serving of stew and a mug of hot coffee.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 April 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Captives

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers-Actors Corporation, Scott-Brown Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1