milwhitt702 Dale Robertson has always been a great actor, and Jock Mahoney was one of the most talented horseman, stuntman, and gunslinger in Hollywood. This movie was not right for Dale Robertson, because he was always better than this. I don't really know how Jan Merlin fit in at all. We were never told he and Dale were old friends. However, the female role Mara Cordey,threw me. I thought for certain that she was Margaret Field (or later Maggie Mahoney) who became Jocks real wife. I had to check that out to make sure she didn't use another name. Margaret did some acting in Mahoney westerns so I was sure that was her. I couldn't tell the difference...but I guess Jock could. Her role did make the movie interesting. I never say Mahoney in a bad movie, and my favorite was Slim Carter.

chipe I liked this movie when I first saw it many years ago. Today it seems even better -- a good, well planned, logical, noir-like story (even if a mite unrealistic); and good acting and production values. I recommend it highly.I can see why it got a low vote here (not many action scenes, few outdoor scenes, many talky scenes, the bad guy is the main character). It is surely an unusual Western -- strong on character and moral symbolism.Here are some observations (including some mild spoilers):-- the ponderous forward to the film describes it as the "final chapter" of untamed gunfighters standing in the way of "civilization." At the end of the film, Mahoney asks Robertson why he didn't just leave, and Robertson replies that there was no other place to go, as though the town of West End was the last place for him to assert his way of life.-- Robertson had no gang (other than errand-boy Merlin). He got his way by force of character and paying the blacksmith, barber, et. al. high sums to give up their principles and work on Sunday.-- it was interesting that bad guy Robertson saved Marshal Mahoney's life at the start of the film, so it was implied throughout that Marshal Mahoney was protecting Robertson out of favoritism/repaying a debt. But actually, Robertson never broke the law till maybe the end when he liquored up some guys to try to lynch Mahoney. The town council could have (but didn't) enact any blue laws! -- an early several minutes scene shows the expert, economical direction: Robertson arrives in town and shows his skill with a gun, his arrogance, distrust of the courts and familiarity with Mara Corday, the Marshal's intended. Mahoney soon shows up to defend Robertson. Mahoney gets credit for killing the man actually shot by Robertson while saving Mahoney. Most of the important characters (preacher, Miss Timmons, the Judge. etc.) are introduced.-- There were many well written lines in the film. One of my favorites is when Mara Corday expresses to her fiancée Mahoney that she is afraid that with Robertson free to do as he pleases, she might revert to her old saloon girl life. Mahoney replies, "I'm sure of you even if you're not sure of yourself." -- the supporting acting was fine, especially Jan Merlin and Dee Carroll (Miss Timmons) and the preacher. Remarkable the way all the many supporting characters were so quickly fleshed out, each with their own quirks.-- neat the way Robertson can manipulate the men and women in town because he understands how they tick and preys on their weaknesses, except Marshal Mahoney -- he has integrity, and Robertson (and the townies) wonders if it is because Mahoney is afraid of Robertson or is in debt to Robertson for saving his life or is simply a rock-solid lawman.-- had to feel sorry for beautiful Corday. She is grateful to the town for accepting her as a reformed saloon girl. She sneaks (so the town won't know) into the saloon to beseech Robertson to go off with her to save the town. He says no, but she is seen sneaking out of the saloon. The townsfolk (including her once-friendly Judge-landlord) kicks her out, and she won't be accepted in anyplace decent, so Mahoney has to take her to a hotel in town. And after Mahoney is jailed, she is about to be forced out of town with Robertson.

ccthemovieman-1 This movie was similar to Audie Murphy's "No Name On The Bullet," but it was better....but not by a whole lot. It was still too talky for a western.The hero of the story, played by Jock Mahoney, was very bland and the female lead, played by Mara Corday, also offered little. The villain was the only interesting character. Dale Robertson played him. Mahoney and Robertson went on to star with TV westerns that were good.The movie is only 72 minutes but really doesn't a whole lot, story-wise. You might see it on TV as it has never been issued on VHS or DVD. Since it's a free look, fine, but I don't think you'll be too impressed.

KimB-3 Despite the wooden acting of its stars, this film's intriguing themes and well-written dialog elevate it to something out of the ordinary. "A Day of Fury" is about the end of the Old West, embodied by the gunfighter, and its replacement by "decent folk" and their values. However, one gunfighter returns to town and exposes the hypocrisy and small-mindedness that lies beneath the veneer of civilization. This film is a must-see for those who love Clint Eastwood's "High Plains Drifter" as it seems to have inspired that film to a large degree. (One character remarks that if Jagade is allowed to stay, "He'll turn this town into hell.") Despite the emotionless acting of its leads and the irritating, strangely pronounced name of the main character, I enjoyed this film a great deal for its cynical view of the human character and its exposure of human weakness and fear.