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Bad Day at Black Rock

  • 1955
  • Approved
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
27K
YOUR RATING
Spencer Tracy, Anne Francis, and Robert Ryan in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Trailer for this mystery
Play trailer2:02
1 Video
99 Photos
Contemporary WesternPsychological DramaPsychological ThrillerSuspense MysteryCrimeDramaMysteryThrillerWestern

Following World War II, a one-armed stranger arrives in a tiny California desert town, but finds the residents hostile and protecting a terrible secret they want to keep hidden, by violent m... Read allFollowing World War II, a one-armed stranger arrives in a tiny California desert town, but finds the residents hostile and protecting a terrible secret they want to keep hidden, by violent means if necessary.Following World War II, a one-armed stranger arrives in a tiny California desert town, but finds the residents hostile and protecting a terrible secret they want to keep hidden, by violent means if necessary.

  • Director
    • John Sturges
  • Writers
    • Millard Kaufman
    • Don McGuire
    • Howard Breslin
  • Stars
    • Spencer Tracy
    • Robert Ryan
    • Anne Francis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    27K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Sturges
    • Writers
      • Millard Kaufman
      • Don McGuire
      • Howard Breslin
    • Stars
      • Spencer Tracy
      • Robert Ryan
      • Anne Francis
    • 214User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Bad Day At Black Rock
    Trailer 2:02
    Bad Day At Black Rock

    Photos99

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    + 93
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    Top Cast18

    Spencer Tracy
    Spencer Tracy
    • John J. Macreedy
    Robert Ryan
    Robert Ryan
    • Reno Smith
    Anne Francis
    Anne Francis
    • Liz Wirth
    Dean Jagger
    Dean Jagger
    • Tim Horn
    Walter Brennan
    Walter Brennan
    • Doc Velie
    John Ericson
    John Ericson
    • Pete Wirth
    Ernest Borgnine
    Ernest Borgnine
    • Coley Trimble
    Lee Marvin
    Lee Marvin
    • Hector David
    Russell Collins
    Russell Collins
    • Mr. Hastings
    Walter Sande
    Walter Sande
    • Sam
    Walter Beaver
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    Billy Dix
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    Mickey Little
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    K.L. Smith
    K.L. Smith
    • Cafe Lounger
    • (unconfirmed)
    Robert Griffin
    Robert Griffin
    • Second Train Conductor
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Harvey
    Harry Harvey
    • First Train Conductor
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Johnson
    Bobby Johnson
    • One of Two Porters
    • (uncredited)
    Francis McDonald
    Francis McDonald
    • Tall - White-haired Cafe Lounger
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Sturges
    • Writers
      • Millard Kaufman
      • Don McGuire
      • Howard Breslin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews214

    7.627K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Bad Day at Black Rock' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Related interests

    Ben Foster and Chris Pine in Hell or High Water (2016)
    Contemporary Western
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Psychological Drama
    Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl (2014)
    Psychological Thriller
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    Suspense Mystery
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    Crime
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    Drama
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    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller
    John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)
    Western

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      John Sturges had scheduled an entire day for the scene in which Macreedy tries to find out from Smith what happened to the Japanese farmer. Spencer Tracy and Robert Ryan were so good, however, that shooting was completed by nine in the morning. An amazed Sturges called for a print and started to move on to another set-up, but Tracy stopped him, insisting the schedule called only for the one scene that day. "Bob, let's take off," he said to Ryan, and the two left the set, forcing Sturges to try to shoot around Tracy, who was in nearly every scene.
    • Goofs
      As the train approaches the town, the horn blows twice, which is the signal for starting up. The mandatory signal for a grade crossing (long, long, short, long) is never blown, although one clearly exists. When the train departs, the conductor makes a confused hand signal to the engineer resembling the horizontal motion that means "stop" rather than the vertical motion that means "go". The engineer never responds with the "long, long" starting signal.
    • Quotes
      • Coley Trimble: You're a yellow-bellied Jap lover! Am I right or wrong?
      • John J. Macreedy: You're not only wrong. You're wrong at the top of your voice.
      • Coley Trimble: [gets ready to scrap] You don't like my voice?
    • Alternate versions
      To receive an 'A' (PG) certificate in 1955 the UK cinema version was subject to heavy BBFC cuts. These included Macreedy striking Hector with the brass fire hose nozzle and the climactic shots of Reno on fire. Later TV showings and video releases were fully uncut.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn (1986)

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    FAQ2

    • If Mcreedy is one armed, how can he manage a perfecly knotted tie?
    • Was the small town of Black Rock built for the movie or was it already in place?

    Details

    • Release date
      • February 13, 1955 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Conspiración en silencio
    • Filming locations
      • Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    • Budget
      • $1,271,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,813
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 21m(81 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

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