Western
Drama
When the owner of a stagecoach station is killed, a gunman takes his place.
Directors
Richard Egan
Wes Tancred
Dorothy Malone
Lorna Miller
Cameron Mitchell
Sheriff Fred Miller
Billy Chapin
Jody Burrows
Royal Dano
Harry Jameson
Edward Andrews
Kirk
John Dehner
Hampton
DeForest Kelley
Jim Breck
Joe De Santis
Ed Burrows (as Joe DeSantis)
Angie Dickinson
Cathy Murdock
Paul Richards
Sam Murdock
James Anderson
Lerner (uncredited)
Dabbs Greer
Doctor (uncredited)
William Fawcett
Townsman (uncredited)
Directors
More like this
User reviews1
Review
Featured review
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
John Chard11 Feb, 2016
Top picks
TV shows and movies just for you
Box office
Budget
$0Gross worldwide
$0




























































