'The Tin Star' (1957)

'The Tin Star' (1957) Feb 17, 2018 0:08:37 GMT manfromplanetx likes this

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Post by petrolino on Feb 17, 2018 0:08:37 GMT

In the character western 'The Tin Star', proud bounty hunter Morgan Hickman (Henry Fonda) brings in a body but can't get paid due to its status. Morgan takes temporary bed and board with social outcast Nona Mayfield (Betsy Palmer) and her son Kip (Michael Ray) because he's not prepared to leave town until he's been paid. When Sheriff Ben Owens (Anthony Perkins) runs up against the dead quarry's blustering brother Bart Bogardus (Neville Brand), he turns to Morgan for help.

"Although he worked in a number of genres, notably film noir and historical spectacle, director Anthony Mann (1906-1967) is remembered most vividly for his Westerns starring James Stewart. These remarkable films, which included The Man From Laramie (1955), bridged the gap between noir and outdoor adventure, between the innocent approach of Westerns of the 1940s and the cynical, violent style of such Mann-influenced directors as Sam Peckinpah and Sergio Leone. Considered something of a journeyman in his prime, Mann later was "discovered" by French critics who placed him in the auteur category of filmmakers."

- Roger Fristoe, Turner Classic Movies

Anthony Perkins

'If Drinking Don't Kill Me Her Memory Will' - George Jones

The filmmaker Anthony Mann made some of the finest psychological westerns of the 1950s. Watching his picture 'The Tin Star' today, its sharply defined monochrome photography leaps right out of the screen, appearing remarkably fresh and vibrant; like how a black & white genre piece might look today if filmed by Alexander Payne, or the Coen Brothers. Cinematographer Loyal Griggs shoots doors, windows and mirrors like portals in 'The Tin Star', allowing Mann the space he needs to manipulate time and probe the story arc by way of visual devices. The sedate pace is controlled and revealing, a seething atmosphere dictated by towering star Henry Fonda - Hickman's stern stares unleashed by the mere mention of Indians shoot right through the nerve system.

"Anthony Mann is remembered for making westerns with Jimmy Stewart, but his second best, and certainly one of the greatest westerns ever, is Man of the West with Gary Cooper. My pick for his most underrated also comes after the Stewart period; I never even heard of this gem until I stumbled across it in the library. Anthony Perkins gives an excellent performance as a temporary hoping to be permanent sheriff learning the ropes the hard way, putting up a surly front despite being very timid and lacking in confidence. Henry Fonda is also strong as a sheriff turned bounty hunter, displaying uncharacteristic rough edges and cynicism. It's closest to his performance in John Ford's excellent Fort Apache, though more interesting because the character is less clearly defined and has more shades of gray. Fonda's Morg Hickman is a kind of precursor to Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name character, but he still has values and Fonda was an actor rather than a block. Sergio Leone was less interested in characters and performances than Mann, yet in a sense he took Eastwood and Fonda farther because they didn't exactly have to be redeeming. Mann's interest lies in the conflict between the good and bad sides of Fonda, the noble and the corrupt."

- Mike Lorefice, Raging Bull

Betsy Palmer

'Quicksilver Daydreams Of Maria' - Townes Van Zandt

'The Tin Star' is a basic morality play that becomes something more in Mann's hands, offering a sound treatment of social concerns. Elmer Bernstein's musical backdrop is quietly captivating and the film features terrific performances from Betsy Palmer as human rights advocate Nona Mayfield, Neville Brand as scowling bigot Bart Bogardus and Mary Webster as bouncing spitfire Millie Parker. Anthony Perkins is at his cuddliest here as loveable lawman Sheriff Owens who's taken under the wing of former tin star Morgan Hickman.