Day of the Bad Man (1958)

Director:

Harry Keller

Writers:

John W. Cunningham (story)
Lawrence Roman (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 February 1958 (Australia)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

HE TURNED KILLER...for one day!

Plot:

Judge Jim Scott must contend with the vicious relatives of a murderer he's about to sentence...and his unfaithful fiancee.

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Sheriff | Concerned Citizen | Romantic Triangle | Unfaithful Girlfriend

Cast

Fred MacMurray	...	Judge James Edward Scott
Joan Weldon	...	Myra Owens
John Ericson	...	Sheriff Barney Wiley
Robert Middleton	...	Charlie Hayes
Marie Windsor	...	Cora Johnson
Edgar Buchanan	...	Sam Wyckoff
Eduard Franz	...	Andrew Owens
Skip Homeier	...	Howard Hayes
Peggy Converse	...	Mrs. Marv Quary, Widow
Robert Foulk	...	Silas Mordigan, Store Keeper
Ann Doran	...	Martha Mordigan
Lee Van Cleef	...	Jake Hayes
Eddy Waller	...	Mr. Slocum
Christopher Dark	...	Rudy Hayes
Don Haggerty	...	Deputy Floyd

Also Known As:

Decision at Durango (USA) (alternative title)
Law of the Trigger (USA) (alternative title)
Point of Decision (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (nf) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

In Feb. 1958, this film was in wide distribution on a double bill with The Girl Most Likely (1958) starring Jane Powell.

Quotes:

Judge James Edward Scott: It is now the obligation of this court to pass sentence. Ordinarily, in a case of this kind sentence would be simple and obvious... but in this case there seem to be conflicting issues. As many of you know there has been talk of banishment. It seems to be the will of a number of people...

Entertaining "High Noon" Like Western

"Day of the Bad Man" was one of a series of westerns made by Fred MacMurray in the 50s just prior to his embarking upon a series of Disney films and his long running TV series "My Three Sons". The comparisons to "High Noon" (1952) will be inevitable.

Convicted killer Rudy Hayes (Christopher Dark) languishes in jail awaiting sentencing for murder. Into town ride his two sweaty and unshaven brothers Charlie (Robert Middleton) and Howie (Skip Homier). They hook up with Rudy's girl friend Cora (Marie Windsor)and Hayes cousins Jake (Lee Van Cleef) and Monte (Chris Alcaide). Opposing them are square jawed righteous Judge Jim Scott (MacMurray) and the pompous Sheriff Wiley (John Ericson).

A sub-plot involves a love triangle consisting of Scott, Wiley and the lovely Myra Owens (Joan Weldon).

The Hayes try to intimidate the towns folk into pressuring the Judge to impose a lighter sentence of banishment rather than hanging on Rudy. Of course MacMurray will not be intimidated and does the right thing according to law. This ultimately leads to the inevitable showdown with MacMurray forced to face the baddies alone. (Sound familiar?).

MacMurray is stern faced and serious as the Judge. Middleton is excellent as the sneering chief villain, a part he perfected. Homier does his hot-headed kid routine yet again. Van Cleef has little to do except sneer. Weldon plays the virginal good girl in typical 50s one dimensional style. Windsor almost steals the film as bad girl Cora.

Rounding out the cast are Universal's usual cast of familiar faces. Edgar Buchanan plays Sam, MacMurray's friend and ally, Don Haggerty, the Deputy Sheriff, and Robert Foulk, Ann Doran, Eduard Franz, Eddy Waller, I. Stanford Jolley, Kenneth MacDonald, Hank Patterson and Tom London as various towns folk. And watch for a very young Paul Peterson as one of the kids on the street.

An average western saved by its superior cast.