Broken Lance (1954)
Cattle baron Matt Devereaux raids a copper smelter that is polluting his water,
then divides his property among his sons. Son Joe takes responsibility for the
raid and gets three years in prison. Matt dies from a stroke partly caused by
his rebellious sons and when Joe gets out he plans revenge.
Directed by Edward Dmytryk
Writing credits: Philip Yordan, Richard Murphy
Cast:
Spencer Tracy .... Matt Devereaux
Robert Wagner .... Joe Devereaux
Jean Peters .... Barbara
Richard Widmark .... Ben Devereaux
Katy Jurado .... Señora Devereaux
Hugh O'Brian .... Mike Devereaux
Eduard Franz .... Two Moons
Earl Holliman .... Denny Devereaux
E.G. Marshall .... The Governor
Carl Benton Reid .... Clem Lawton
Philip Ober .... Van Cleve
Robert Burton .... MacAndrews
Robert Adler .... O'Reilly
Arthur Q. Bryan
Harry Carter .... Prison guard
Edmund Cobb .... Court clerk
King Donovan .... Clerk
John Epper .... Ranger
Franklyn Farnum .... Juror
Nacho Galindo .... Francisco (the cook)
Robert Grandin .... Capitol clerk
Robert Ivers .... Cowboy working cattle
Paul Kruger .... Bailiff
Marco López .... Indian
Jack Mather .... Prison gateman
Forbes Murray .... Lawyer
Julian Rivero .... Manuel
Russell Simpson .... Judge
George E. Stone .... Paymaster
James Stone .... Stable owner
Produced by Sol C. Siegel
Original Music by Leigh Harline
Cinematography by Joseph MacDonald
Film Editing by Dorothy Spencer
Art Direction by Maurice Ransford, Lyle R. Wheeler
Set Decoration by Stuart A. Reiss, Walter M. Scott
Costume Design by Travilla
Makeup Department Ben Nye .... makeup artist
Helen Turpin .... hair stylist
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Henry Weinberger .... assistant director
Sound Department W.D. Flick .... sound
Roger Heman Sr. .... sound
Special Effects by Ray Kellogg .... special photographic effects
Stunts John Epper .... stunts
Russell Saunders .... stunts
Other crew:
Charles Le Maire .... wardrobe director
Lionel Newman .... conductor
Edward B. Powell .... orchestrator
Sam Benson .... wardrobe
Runtime: 96 min
Country: USA
Language: English
Color: Color (DeLuxe)
Sound Mix: 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)
Certification: Germany:16 / Finland:K-16 / UK:U / USA:Approved
(PCA #16964, General Audience) / Australia:PG
Trivia: Had a premier at Graumans Chinese Theater in Hollywood. A huge
sign was erected which extended over the forecourt proclaiming
"CINEMASCOPE - TRACY-WIDMARK - BROKEN LANCE" in huge letters.
Goofs: Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers):
When Matt is seen riding toward his sons off the side of the hill, he is sitting
astride his horse, and his right hand is held up holding the reins, but when his
son Ben takes him off his horse, he is already dead.
Quotes: Van Cleve: I now ask you, sir, do you remember the names Charlie
Monger, Red Dog Johnson or Carlos Rameriez?
Matt Devereaux: No.
Van Cleve: The incident may be too trivial to recall. But isn't it true that you
summarily hanged three of these men on the afternoon of June 4th?
Matt Devereaux: They were stealing my cattle!
Van Cleve: I thought you didn't remember them.
Matt Devereaux: I didn't ask their names!
Van Cleve: You just hanged 'em?
Matt Devereaux: By the neck until they were dead. They were thieves!
Awards: Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination
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