Black spurs

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Movie
German title Black spurs
Original title Black Spurs
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1965
length 81 minutes
Age rating FSK 16
Rod
Director RG Springsteen
script Steve Fisher
production AC Lyles
for AC Lyles Productions
music Jimmie Haskell
camera Ralph Woolsey
cut Archie Marshek
occupation

Black Spurs (OT: Black Spurs ) is a 1965 American western directed by RG Springsteen . Rory Calhoun plays the cowboy Santee, who wants to collect a suspended bounty so that he can marry his girlfriend Anna ( Terry Moore ). He kills the wanted bandit and adorns himself with his black spurs as evidence. When he finds out that Anna is now married to Sheriff Elkins ( James Best ), he takes revenge by transforming Elkin's territory into a gambler's paradise. For Linda Darnell as saloon lady Sadie it was her last role.

action

Santee, who settled in Texas with his fiancé Anna around 1885 , would like to buy a ranch there and start a family. When he witnesses a fatal robbery by El Pescadore, who is also recognized by his black spurs , a reward of $ 3,000 is offered to the crook's head. Santee ca n't let go of the thought of the bounty . When he tells Anna about it, she doesn't want to know anything about it and says angrily that blood money doesn't bring luck. Santee, however, goes in search of El Pescadore anyway and finds him after 10 months. In an exchange of fire, he is faster and shoots the wanted man. The black spurs of El Pescadores now adorn Santees boots.

On his return he learns that Anna is now married to Sheriff Ralph Elkins. Disappointed and restless, Santee then goes on hunting as a man hunter and is feared for his shooting skills. In Kile, a small town in Texas, he meets the influential Gus Kile and proposes a deal for him. The railway is planning to extend the route through the city of Lark. Santee has a plan on how to kick Lark out of the running and give Kile priority. Kile, who has already tried to influence himself, wants to know how he will do it. There was a rule that would exclude depraved cities. Kile says Lark is a very decent town, because they have a new sheriff who has cleaned up there thoroughly, his name is Ralph Elkins. Santee promises Kile that Lark has been quiet for the longest time. Nemo, the corrupt sheriff of Kile, overheard the conversation and also wants a piece of the pie. He persuades two imprisoned gangsters to "break out" the next day and shoot Elkins. That goes completely wrong, both gangsters and Nemo are shot dead by Santee.

Santee sends his old friend Henderson a telegram asking him to come to Lark with Sadie and the dancing girls and some of the players. In the city, Santee is greeted with suspicion and immediately embroiled in a fist fight, but here, too, the opponent draws the short straw. To his astonishment, Santee learns that his opponent was the local pastor. Santee also refuses to give in to Anna's request to leave the city. He discusses with Pete Mitchem, who owns the saloon in Lark, that they want to start a "gambling den" together in the small town. Pastor Tanner sees with concern who Santee is bringing into town. Anna tries to speak to Santee again, but comes across granite. At this point, the quiet in the city is over. When Sheriff Elkins tries to crack down, he is just laughed at. After leaving the saloon, Santee makes it clear that he doesn't want Elkins to be shot. Without his knowledge, Santees accomplices grab the sheriff and tar and feather him. Anna accuses Santee that it would not be enough for him and his people to want to kill her husband, they also want to humiliate him and make him look ridiculous. Santee contradicts resolutely and then takes on Henderson, who caused all of this.

When Santee asks about Ralph's health, he learns that Anna was pregnant when he left her and how difficult it was for her to get through the time. A girl with an illegitimate child is outrageous and a shame. However, she was lucky to meet Ralph, who married her. Her little son Frankie believes Ralph is his father and should stay that way. After knowing this, Santee leaves the business and returns the money Kile has already received. He also pays Henderson and Sadie and their girls. To the men’s astonished questions, he answers succinctly, he just doesn't want to anymore, that's that. However, Kile doesn't give up easily and wants Henderson to get on with the people and tosses Santees' share on the table. They are delighted and agree. When they break Pastor Tanner's arm, it's enough for Santee. He lets Elkins give him the sheriff's badge and says that someone has to clean up town at last. There is a wild shooting between Santee and Henderson and his helpers. Santee is supported by Pastor Tanner and the severely handicapped Elkins. Together they manage to eliminate the men and restore peace to Lark. When Santee says goodbye to Anna, Pastor Tanner extends his hand with great respect. Two black spores remain in the sand.

Production and Background

Filming ended in January 1965. The film premiered on May 28, 1965 in New York . In the Federal Republic of Germany , Schwarze Sporen premiered on July 16, 1965; the film opened in Austria in November 1965.

For Linda Darnell it was her last film. The 41-year-old actress died in April 1965 - before the premiere of the film - as a result of severe burns that she sustained during an attempt to rescue her.

The title track is from "By" Dunham and Jimmie Haskell, sung by Jerry Cole.

criticism

The lexicon of the international film found: "Average Western striving for realism with a few inconsistencies."

Howard Thompson wrote in the New York Times about Linda Darnell's tragic death and wrote that she strolled through the saloon as a hostess in her last role in a "standard western". The film itself is definitely “loud and dynamic”.

Cinema spoke of a “boring moral ham in the sham packaging of a tamed Western”. Conclusion: "Moralic acid horse opera of the cheapest kind."

Cinefacts judged: "Exciting Western."

Overall, the Protestant film observer gave a positive assessment : “A tough Western from America's pioneering days. Hollywood tries to be honest in this genre too. Good entertainment from 16 years of age. "

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Black Spurs (1965) - Trivia. In: Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved December 10, 2019 .
  2. ↑ Black spurs. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed December 10, 2019 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used 
  3. ↑ Howard Thompson, The Screen: Black Spurs' Arrives at the Paramount In: The New York Times, May 29, 1965. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  4. ↑ Black spurs. In: Cinema . Hubert Burda Media , accessed on August 13, 2014 .
  5. ↑ Black spores at cinefacts.de. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  6. ↑ Evangelischer Presseverband München, Review No. 334/1965