The Bounty Hunter (1954)

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

A Brilliant Conflict

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Above Average Randolph Scott Western Directed by the Sometimes Interesting Andre de Toth. This One has a High Entertainment Value because it is More Violent at Times and has a Mystery Element that Keeps Things Going.There is a Fight Scene where Scott Burns the Butt of a Bad Guy on a Stove and a Head Shot Squib that was Very Rare in 1954. The Characters are a bit more than One Dimensional in this Movie that was Shot in 3-D but Released Flat.There is a Surprise Ending and Enough Gun-Play and Fisticuffs to Satisfy Western Fans and Scott's Cynical Bounty Hunter is Off Beat for a Fifties Protagonist. Marie Windsor's Wide Eyed Bar Girl and Ernest Borgnine are Highlighted Supporters. For a Weakness there is the Obligatory Marriage for that Fifties Family Wrap-Up Smarminess.Note...Not in the same league as the Anthony Mann/Budd Boetticher 1950's Westerns but a bit Better than Most of its Ilk.

Protagonist Jim Kipp is a bounty hunter with a reputation for catching those he goes after; it is this reputation that brings the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency to his door. They had been hired to track down those responsible for the robbery of $100,000 from a train during which several people were killed. They only have one clue; the three surviving robbers were last scene at a trading post one year ago. With this tiny piece of information Kipp heads to the post and learns two things; one of the robbers was wounded and they only bought provisions for a three day ride. The only town within three days ride is Twin Forks so he heads there. He soon realises he is in the right place when people start lying to him although he still doesn't know who he is after and there are plenty of other people who believe he might be looking for them as they have committed other crimes. The longer he stays in town the more tensions rise and things become more dangerous for him; especially after he lets it be known that he is expecting a picture of the robbers to come in the mail the next day.This was rather an unusual western in that we don't know who the bad guys are until very end; this serves to keep the tension high as anybody could be a danger. Randolph Scott puts in a solid performance as Kipp; a character that may have been unlikable in other hands... his determination to get the job done is all that appears to matter to him. Dolores Dorn does a decent job as potential romantic interest Julie Spencer although Marie Windsor is more interesting as the sultry Alice. There is a reasonable amount of action here including several shootings and a brawl where one man makes the mistake of attacking Kipp and ends up sitting an a stove... for quite a while! There are plenty of suspects to choose from and when we do learn who the robbers are there are one or two surprises to be had; I must admit I only suspected one of the three! If you are a fan of Randolph Scott's other westerns I'm sure you'll enjoy this one too.

With a title like "The Bounty Hunter", you pretty much know what you're getting from the outset. In this one, Randolph Scott takes the title role and works his character through a number of portrayals on the way to solving a year old crime involving the theft of a hundred grand. Jim Kipp (Scott) has the same effect on the citizens of Twin Forks that Audie Murphy did in 1959's "No Name on the Bullet", but in that one, John Gant was a professional killer. Here, Kipp's reputation precedes him, and it has the folks awfully jumpy about who he's come after. A couple of them even leave town figuring it's not worth the bother to stick around because after all, it might be them.I always like watching Randolph Scott in his Western films, not only for his rugged characterizations, but also for the expected change of outfits he brings with him. In this one, he starts out with the traditional all black attire he's generally known for, but changes appropriately for going out on the town and attending church service (for the first time). Dolores Dorn provides the romantic interest for Scott's character, while Marie Windsor is on hand as the bad girl who almost makes it unscathed to the end of the story.A couple of character actors here bear mentioning; Ernest Borgnine's on board as the red herring in the mix, a hotel desk clerk with a gimp leg that's supposed to direct your attention to one of the original hold-up gang that Kipp is gunning for. Then there's Dub Taylor, probably the only time you'll ever see him in a suit and tie as the town postmaster and one of the eventual baddies. No expected comedic role here for Taylor, who sidekicked a bunch of Western lead actors as good old Cannonball. I think I like him better as a grizzled old goof-ball.As the three villains of the piece are revealed on the way to the finale, I had to wonder about Marie Windsor's role. She was one of the original outlaws that the Pinkerton agent hired Kipp to go after, however in hindsight I find it curious that no one along the way would have fingered a woman in the mix. Just seems odd, that's all. Say, stay attentive for the very last scene when the rowdy cowboys ride their way into Twin Forks and ask who the sheriff is. The guy who seems let down by it all is Fess Parker!

Born Hungarian André De Toth directed seven B series western between years 1951 and 1955 (B series films in Europe means that it were made with few money and in a short time). This Bounty Hunter was one of them. It is a solid, without ups and downs, and very estimable western. This modest film deserves all the respect, admiration and gratitude possibles. An even in our times, when toughness is missing in service of computers special effects. The film has got craft agility, is very well build and adequately played by specialist stony face Randolph Scott (Boetticher's lonesome rider). We meet efficacious Ernest Borgnine in a supporting role. Western lovers will enjoy this film.