Framed *** (1975, Joe Don Baker, Conny Van Dyke, Gabriel Dell, John Marley, Brock Peters, John Larch) – Classic Movie Review 9578

Director Phil Karlson’s 1975 action crime thriller Framed stars Joe Don Baker as innocent gambler Ron Lewis who is out after four years of jail for supposedly killing a town sheriff (he has killed the sheriff in self defence), and is just the kind of man to take the corrupt law into his own hands. He has the mayor and the police commissioner in his sights.

There is an all-pervasive, nasty atmosphere of Seventies-style brutal violence in this intriguing, efficient and moody little revenge action thriller, from the team behind Walking Tall (1973). The excellent Baker again rivets the attention as a tough guy oozing scary pent-up rage: he should have become a bigger star.

It is the final film of director Karlson (1908–1985). Walking Tall was his biggest hit and it made him rich.

Also in the cast are Conny Van Dyke, Gabriel Dell, John Marley, Brock Peters, John Larch, Roy Jenson, Paul Mantee, Warren J Kemmerling, Walter Brooke, Joshua Bryant, Hunter von Leer, Les Lannom, H B Haggerty, Hoke Howell and Red West.

Mort Briskin’s screenplay is based on the novel by Art Powers and Mike Misenheimer.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9578

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