Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)

My Review

“Bad Day at Black Rock” is a neo-western drama movie set in 1945 telling the story of a man who visits a desert town and is received in a less than friendly manner by the locals. His investigation into the whereabouts of a man named Komoko is blocked at every turn, when he begins to realize that his very life is in danger. Director John Sturges (“Jeopardy” 1953) put together a riveting drama from a fine screenplay by Millard Kaufman and Don McGuire. It was adapted from a 1947 short story by Howard Breslin called “Bad Time at Honda” in The American Magazine.

The star of the show is Spencer Tracy as John Macreedy, the one-armed military veteran who seems seriously outnumbered when he arrives by train in Black Rock, California, an isolated desert hamlet. Co-stars include Robert Ryan, Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, John Ericson, Russell Collins, and Walter Sande as the owner of the diner. The very watchable “Bad Day at Black Rock” was successful in theatrical release for producer Dory Schary and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

It was nominated for three Academy Awards with zero wins – Best Picture, Best Actor (Tracy), and Best Screenplay. Andre Previn composed the exceptional musical score. “Bad Day at Black Rock” was filmed at Lone Pine, California, with interiors shot at the MGM Studios in Culver City.