Good Day for a Hanging ** (1959, Fred MacMurray, Margaret Hayes, Robert Vaughn, Joan Blackman, James Drury) – Classic Movie Review 9742

‘Bloody, blistering violence as a baby-face goon explodes against the girl who loves him… while the mob stands ready to tear out his guts before the law can hang him!’

Director Nathan H Juran’s 1959 ColumbiaColor Western film Good Day for a Hanging stars Fred MacMurray as Marshal Ben Cutler, who is the only one of the townsfolk who believes that charismatic outlaw The Kid, Eddie Campbell (Robert Vaughn), is guilty of killing of a bank teller during a holdup. Ben’s daughter, Laurie (Joan Blackman), is in love with Eddie and does not believe he is truly bad.

Based on the short story The Reluctant Hangman by John Reese, this taut, brooding little Western is gripping despite a rather obvious, signalled twist ending.

It is sent moving along quite involvingly, thanks mainly to the two very solid central performances and atmospheric, tense direction by Juran. As always, MacMurray is so good when he puts his tough face to the fore. And the young Vaughn is an exciting performer.

Also in the cast are Maggie [Margaret] Hayes, Joan Blackman, James Drury, Wendell Holmes, Edmon Ryan, Stacy Harris, Kathryn Card, Emile Meyer, Bing Russell, Russell Thorson, Denver Pyle, Phil Chambers, Howard McNear, Rusty Swope, Gregg Barton, Robert Bice, Harry Lauter and Paul Donovan, with ‘Snub’ Pollard.

Good Day for a Hanging is directed by Nathan H Juran, runs 85 minutes, is made by Morningside Productions, is released by Columbia Pictures, is written by Daniel B Ullman and Maurice Zimm, based on the short story The Reluctant Hangman by John Reese, is shot in ColumbiaColor by Henry Freulich, is produced by Charles H Schneer and is designed by Robert Peterson.

The use of stock music means there is no credited composer.

Vaughn recalled McMurray was frugal and stingy, and always brought his own sandwich for lunch on the set.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9742

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