Richard Egan

Dorothy Malone

Cameron Mitchell

Billy Chapin

Royal Dano

Edward Andrews

John Dehner

DeForest Kelley

Joe De Santis

Angie Dickinson

Paul Richards

James Anderson

Dabbs Greer

William Fawcett

Winston Miller

Charles Marquis Warren

Frank Gruber

Larry Germain

James E. Casey

Harry Maret

Edward Killy

Terry Kellum

Arthur B. Smith

Dimitri Tiomkin

Glen Daniels

Doane Harrison

John B. Mansbridge

Albert S. D'Agostino

Sam Wiesenthal

Joseph F. Biroc

Harry Marker

Western

Drama

Tension at Table Rock

RKO Radio Pictures

Sam Wiesenthal Productions

United States of America

The Ballad of Wes Tancred.

Tension at Table Rock is directed by Charles Marquis Warren and is adapted to screenplay by Winston Miller from the novel "Bitter Sage" written by Frank Gruber. It stars Richard Egan, Dorothy Malone, Cameron Mitchell, Billy Chapin, Royal Dano, Edward Andrews and John Dehner. Music is by Dimitri Tiomkin and Technicolor cinematography is by Joseph Biroc.

Wes Tancred (Egan) is a weary gunslinger who is wandering the plains after having been accused of a cowardly killing. Assuming the name of John Bailey, he happens upon the "Bitter Sage" ranch and events there will lead him into the town of Table Rock. Where his future, perhaps damned by his past, will be determined.

A good Oater full of the staples of 50s genre pieces, tension at Table Rock is nonetheless a worthy morsel for those keen of a Western diet. Pic picks up a number of thematic threads, such as the gunman trying to go straight, a lawman who has lost his bottle, and hero worship by way of surrogacy. Naturally there's a romantic angle, with Malone all bright eyed and perched in between Egan and Mitchell, but this is thankfully not over played.

Standard action scenes are handled well by Warren, a man who knew his way around dusters of TV and cinema. Costuming and scenic photography is pleasing, while Egan (tortured square jawed machismo), Mitchell (tortured and scarred and awaiting machismo rebirth) and Dano (eleagant wise man) are in good credit with performances. Best of the support is Dehner, no surprise there, and Angie Dickinson and DeForest Kelly have minor but key roles to play.

It's all tightly played out to the point that the derivative nature of the story is in no way a hindrance to the entertainment on offer. 7/10

English

Tension at Table Rock   Original Trailer