City of Bad Men

Robertson, Boone, Betz, the lovely Matthews and the always great Bridges bring fine performances to this western with a "hook." The hook here is Fitzsimmons/Corbett boxing match held in Carson City, and our heroes are going to attempt to run off with the gate. The fight takes backseat to the romance and intrigue leading up to the big day. Of course our hero does the right thing, but it is interesting to watch how he gets to the right side of the law.

Offbeat, if predictable, color western of the early '50s, with a cast of big name major players. See it at YouTube, at present(2018)

The plot surrounds the designs of 3 small outlaw gangs to make off with the substantial take of ticket sales and bets on the historic heavyweight bout between "Gentleman" Jim Corbet and challenger Bob Fitzsimmons in Carson City, Nevada, shortly before the turn of the century. Dale Robertson is the well-spoken tall dark and handsome leader of one of these gangs, a strong cue that he is the leading man of this yarn. The leaders of the 3 gangs and the sheriff seem all too familiar and chummy with each other to ring true. As 3 supposedly notorious outlaw gangs, one would think the sheriff would have at least one outstanding warrant against each. Instead, he offers to deputize the leaders of each, to supposedly ensure that their gangs won't pull any shenanigans during this big media event. The other 2 leaders immediately turn down this offer, but Robertson eventually accepts it and arm twists the other two very reluctant leaders to follow suit. Of course, each still plans to make off with the bonanza, together, if not alone.

Jean Crain, as the one time girlfriend of Robertson, doesn't get much screen time, despite top billing. She is the romantic object contested between Robertson and man-about-town Jim London. Crain and Robertson go back and forth several times about whether they want to hook up again, but we can guess the eventual outcome, after Robertson decides which side of the law he wants to be on.

Richard Boone plays Johnny Ringo, leader of one of the gangs. If that name sounds familiar, "the" Johnny Ringo was a notorious badman in Texas and around Tombstone, AZ, and enemy of the Earp brothers, with as much legends as facts surrounding his name. You will no doubt encounter his name occasionally in other Westerns. Since we have an exact date for the present yarn, in the fight, I can say that "the" Johnny Ringo had been in the grave for 15 years. An imposter? Lloyd Bridges plays Robertson's brother(as different in looks from Robertson as one can image brothers to be!) Lloyd doesn't buy into his brother's ambiguity as to which side of the law he wants to be on, and eventually comes to grief.

The fight itself receives minimal screen time and appears a rather dull affair. The champs look to have pitifully ordinary physiques compared to present day contenders. Could have used Errol Flynn to give the fight a bit of charisma. At least they got it right that Fitzsimmons emerged the new heavyweight champion(but reportedly only after his wife yelled a new punching strategy during a bout).

Probably my favourites from director Harmon Jones whose CANYON RIVER was also excellent. But concerning this one, I don't know why, there is something that I like. Characters symphony, story, and the cast, so prestigious for such a small western: John Doucette, Leo Gordon in one of his earliest roles; and of course Richard Boone. I would say: forget Dale Robertson. Yes, I definitely have tenderness for this western, for its charm, despite the fact that there is not that much surprise in the end. Only enjoy the watch. I forgot that Twentieth century Fox made such small films in the fifties, and not only Universal, Republic or Paramount. One of the most offbeat showdown in the western history. Besides TERROR IN A TEXAS TOWN of course.

Thrilling Western concerning the twenty-four hour reign of terror that branded a prairie town city of Bad Men and at the end takes place facing off between Brett Stanton and Ringo Kid close in for a show-down. After various years in Mexico Brett Stanton : Dale Robertson, his brother : Lloyd Briges and their band go back Carson City to carry out a big robbery. But they are other gangs as Jonny Ringo : Richard Boone band, and Bob Thraikill bunch planning to run off with the proceeds from Fitzsimmons-Corbett heavyweight fight. As penniless Johnny Ringo and his band with schemes on their own and no intention of abiding Brett's plan. Lot of people have come there from all over to see the heavyweight tournament prizefight between Gentleman Jim Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons .You ride into Carson at the eight of its gun-slinging glory in the eve of of the Corbett vs. Fitzsimmons heavyweight championship!. A frontier town in the wild roaring frenzy of fight-time! The most famous boxing bout of an era! The most notorious killers of all time, all in one motion picture!

20th Century Fox movie with great main and support cast, being lavishly produced and efficiently directed. Furthermore, it contains a colorful and glimmer cinematography by Charles Clarke. As well as rousing and stirring musical score by Cryl Mockridge. This is an ambitious and large-scale film dealing with the historical combat between Fitzsimmons and James, Jim, Corbett, whose character was already been portrayed by Errol Flynn in Gentleman Jim directed by Raoul Walsh . This is an interesting movie though lacks some inspiration and being interesting enough . However, there is not central drive in the storyline, delivering various sub-plots with no much interest, as the triangular love story. Stars Dale Robertson as the good/bad bandit intending to make a quick dishonest heist. His partenaire is the gorgeous and sweet Jeanne Crain. Being well accompanied by a great support cast, such as : Richard Boone, Lloyd Bridges , Carole Matthews, Whitfield Connor, Frank Ferguson, Hugh Sanders as sheriff, James Best, John Doucette, Rodolfo Acosta , Harry Brown, Robert Adler, Kit Carson, Fred Arlich, Carl Betz, Leo Gordon's movie debut and several others. John Fay, the tough actor who plays Corbett, was also used to sparring for the cameras. He, besides, fought Kirk Douglas in "Champion" and Tony Curtis in "The Square Jungle".

This offbeat motion picture produced by Leonard Goldstein was professionally directed by Harmon Jones. He was a craftsman who worked as a production manager, editor, producer and filmmaker. He directed all kinds of genres as Westerns, drama, Thriller, Comedy, Film Noir, such as : The beast of Budapest, Wolf Larsen, Gorilla at large, Target zero, Canyon river, The pride of St Louis, Bloodhound of Broadway, As young a you feel. And he directed a lot of episodes of notorious TV series as Land of giants , Death valley, Voyage to the bottom of the sea, The Virginian, Iron Horse, Perry Mason, Gunslinger, Daniel Boone, Iron Horse, The Monroe, The Zorro, among others. Rating 6. 5/10. Decent and above average Western.

City Of Bad Men is Carson City, Nevada and that frontier town which was just beginning to show traces of civilization in 1897 is the host to the title defense of the heavyweight championship by James J. Corbett against the Cornish blacksmith Bob Fitzsimmons. There's lots of action outside the ring as well as three different gangs of outlaws all have plans to rob the proceeds of the fight.

The gangs are led by Dale Robertson, Richard Boone, and Dan Haggerty. Robertson is actually from the area and reestablishes himself with Jeanne Crain, the girl he left behind. But Robertson took her younger brother with him who got killed and she's not forgiving.

Robertson is like John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance who is a man of the west, but knows the day of six gun law is coming to a close. In fact some of the themes of Liberty Valance are explored here with a different twist.

With the law closing in on the gangs there's more action outside the ring than inside where history records the tough blacksmith from Cornwall wore down the champion from San Francisco and knocked him out.

Of performances to note one would definitely be that Lloyd Bridges as Robertson's younger and wilder brother.

City Of Bad Men weaves a nice western tale into the most famous day Carson City, Nevada ever saw.