Good Day for a Hanging

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Nick F Fred MacMurray made more than 100 films in his long career, and in 1959 was listed as the highest-paid actor in Hollywood. Many of his films were Westerns, but while MacMurray was a fine actor, he never quite had the screen charisma of Western stars such as John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Glenn Ford and Randolph Scott. But you can see MacMurray at his very best in the 1959 Western Good Day For A Hanging, which has an unusual and gripping plot, and is sharply directed by Nathan Juran. MacMurray reluctantly takes the job as Marshall of the small town of Springdale after the previous Marshall was shot dead by a young gunman (Robert Vaughn) who is quickly captured. But a complication arises as the Marshall’s daughter (Joan Blackman) is in love with the killer, who is quickly convicted and sentenced to hang. All that is established early in the film and what follows is the Marshall struggling with a moral dilemma and under severe pressure from not only his wife and daughter, but many of the townsfolk who feel the young killer should be jailed, and not hung. MacMurray gives a powerful, tortured performance as the day of the hanging nears and the town turns against him as he wrestles with his conscience. But if you think there isn’t much gunplay, you would be wrong as the unpredictable finale unfolds. Good Day For A Hanging is a very good and involving Western with Fred MacMurray showing true star quality. REVIEWED by Nick Fletcher. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/07/25 Full Review Audience Member A, is he guilty or isn't he, western. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Not a classic, but certainly a moral tale worth seeing. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Not Fred MacMurrays best work, but it's ok... Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member (First and only viewing - 5/25/2010) Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member GOOD DAY FOR A HANGING (1958) Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Good Day for a Hanging

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