The Tin Star (1957)

Directed by: Anthony Mann | 93 minutes | western | Actors: Henry Fonda, Anthony Perkins, Betsy Palmer, Michel Ray, Neville Brand, John McIntire, Mary Webster, Peter Baldwin, Richard Shannon, Lee Van Cleef, James Bell, Howard Petrie, Russell Simpson, Hal K. Dawson, Jack Kenny, Frank Cady, Frank Cordell, Franklyn Farnum, Allen Gettel, Richard Farnsworth

Not much special can be said about this good character western from Anthony Mann (except that it’s black and white; unique for a Western from the late 50’s). But an original story or extremely interesting characters – ‘The Tin Star’ possesses neither – ultimately prove unnecessary to produce an extremely charming film.

Although not a classic, the film still exudes a similar atmosphere. Morg Hickman (Henry Fonda) is an embittered ex-sheriff turned bounty hunter. One day, Hickman drives into a dusty town with a fresh corpse to collect his reward, only to meet the inexperienced Sheriff Ben Owens (Anthony Perkins). Young Owens is full of ideals, but is still far from being a real sheriff. Owens has yet to prove himself, while villain Bart Bogardus (Neville Brand) is also looking for the position of sheriff. At first no one likes Hickman. His capitalist and opportunistic attitude is met with disapproval (“We ain’t got no rooms available”, according to the hotel owner in an empty hotel). But after a minor showdown with Bogardus, who turns out to be the nephew of the villain brought in by Hickman, Owens soon realizes that Hickman is more than “just” a bounty hunter. Hickman takes Owens under his wing and after the inevitable fraternization of the two men, we head for an exciting finale where Owens naturally comes to his full maturity.

In passing, we are confronted with the ethical problems of the wild west: the racism against Indians, catching criminals alive or dead, lynching or incarcerating. It should be clear that Owens and Hickman with his rough shell but white pit, are ultimately on the correct side of the spectrum. In that sense ‘The Tin Star’ is nothing special, it is Hollywood in its most basic form. But it is the charm of the cast and the good atmosphere that makes for a pleasant viewing experience. Fonda and Perkins are credible as masters and apprentices, but above all: the silliness never becomes disturbing. Moreover, Lee van Cleef is also present, what more could a western want?