With a title like "The Bounty Hunter", you pretty much know what you're getting from the outset. In this one, Randolph Scott takes the title role and works his character through a number of portrayals on the way to solving a year old crime involving the theft of a hundred grand. Jim Kipp (Scott) has the same effect on the citizens of Twin Forks that Audie Murphy did in 1959's "No Name on the Bullet", but in that one, John Gant was a professional killer. Here, Kipp's reputation precedes him, and it has the folks awfully jumpy about who he's come after. A couple of them even leave town figuring it's not worth the bother to stick around because after all, it might be them.
I always like watching Randolph Scott in his Western films, not only for his rugged characterizations, but also for the expected change of outfits he brings with him. In this one, he starts out with the traditional all black attire he's generally known for, but changes appropriately for going out on the town and attending church service (for the first time). Dolores Dorn provides the romantic interest for Scott's character, while Marie Windsor is on hand as the bad girl who almost makes it unscathed to the end of the story.
A couple of character actors here bear mentioning; Ernest Borgnine's on board as the red herring in the mix, a hotel desk clerk with a gimp leg that's supposed to direct your attention to one of the original hold-up gang that Kipp is gunning for. Then there's Dub Taylor, probably the only time you'll ever see him in a suit and tie as the town postmaster and one of the eventual baddies. No expected comedic role here for Taylor, who sidekicked a bunch of Western lead actors as good old Cannonball. I think I like him better as a grizzled old goof-ball.
As the three villains of the piece are revealed on the way to the finale, I had to wonder about Marie Windsor's role. She was one of the original outlaws that the Pinkerton agent hired Kipp to go after, however in hindsight I find it curious that no one along the way would have fingered a woman in the mix. Just seems odd, that's all. Say, stay attentive for the very last scene when the rowdy cowboys ride their way into Twin Forks and ask who the sheriff is. The guy who seems let down by it all is Fess Parker!
I always like watching Randolph Scott in his Western films, not only for his rugged characterizations, but also for the expected change of outfits he brings with him. In this one, he starts out with the traditional all black attire he's generally known for, but changes appropriately for going out on the town and attending church service (for the first time). Dolores Dorn provides the romantic interest for Scott's character, while Marie Windsor is on hand as the bad girl who almost makes it unscathed to the end of the story.
A couple of character actors here bear mentioning; Ernest Borgnine's on board as the red herring in the mix, a hotel desk clerk with a gimp leg that's supposed to direct your attention to one of the original hold-up gang that Kipp is gunning for. Then there's Dub Taylor, probably the only time you'll ever see him in a suit and tie as the town postmaster and one of the eventual baddies. No expected comedic role here for Taylor, who sidekicked a bunch of Western lead actors as good old Cannonball. I think I like him better as a grizzled old goof-ball.
As the three villains of the piece are revealed on the way to the finale, I had to wonder about Marie Windsor's role. She was one of the original outlaws that the Pinkerton agent hired Kipp to go after, however in hindsight I find it curious that no one along the way would have fingered a woman in the mix. Just seems odd, that's all. Say, stay attentive for the very last scene when the rowdy cowboys ride their way into Twin Forks and ask who the sheriff is. The guy who seems let down by it all is Fess Parker!