THE HANGING TREE (1959)

[MissGoddess]

I remember that discussion now! I wasn't sure if it took place here or at TCM.

I liked Maria's performance a little more this time. I blow very hot and cold on her. I think something about her personality just doesn't hit me right. But it's an interesting character. .

[movieman1957]

I thought I'd bring it up because "Ro" had some good things to say.

[MikeBSG]

I thought some more about "The Hanging Tree" and found my thoughts taking me to two other "mining" westerns: "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" and "Ride the High Country."

If TCM ever shows "The Hanging Tree" again, it might be interesting to pair it with either one of those two films. "McCabe" ends with a gunfight that takes place while part of the town burns down, and both "Tree" and "McCabe" seemed to me to be westerns that really emphasized the physical work involved in building a town.

As for "Ride the High Country," I thought Schell's predicament was somewhat akin to Mariette Hartley's in the Peckinpah film. Certainly, I can think of few other westerns that emphasize female vulnerablity to male brutality as much as these two.

[mongoII]

I enjoyed most of the movie especially Karl Malden as a rotten scoundrel.
I did think that the ending fell flat, too compact.
I did want to see that preacher get a good punch in the face.

[kingrat]

Finally got around to re-watching The Hanging Tree. So glad TCM was able to show this one. Wow, we've had two excellent threads on this film. This film and Ball of Fire were the ones where I first realized how good an actor Gary Cooper could be. I like Maria Schell, though it's understandable that some will not. Very shrewd point about how she behaves like she's fearful and out of her element. At the same time, she has a will of iron, so that she's fearful but not weak. Cooper's withdrawn, understated style fits her much better than Glenn Ford in Cimarron.

Wish we'd had a little more of George C. Scott's crazy faith healer. Karl Malden is cast against type as the villain, and it works because up until almost the end we can believe that he might be redeemed. In a way, this is one of Malden's lightest performances, and one of his best. He looks so goofy in that cap, and you can feel sympathy for some of his reactions to the lovely Elisabeth until he crosses the line.

Question about the cinematography: I thought the colors of the print shown by TCM did not look nearly so good as, say, Ride Lonesome or Bad Day at Black Rock, which are from roughly the same era. Did anyone else have this impression? Is The Hanging Tree another film in need of restoration?

[klondike]

Karl Malden is cast against type as the villain, and it works because up until almost the end we can believe that he might be redeemed. In a way, this is one of Malden's lightest performances, and one of his best. He looks so goofy in that cap, and you can feel sympathy for some of his reactions to the lovely Elisabeth until he crosses the line.

Ever catch KM opposite Marlon Brando in One Eyed Jacks?
As the conniving bandit chief "Dad", Karl weaves a spell of charming, calculating, off-handed cruelty that is sustained flawlessly for over eighty minutes.
I won't say Malden got his teeth all the way into every role he took on, but IMO, when he did, he owned it!

[knitwit45]

When I see the name Karl Malden, I think of his horrific character in Nevada Smith (his character was much worse in the book)

[CineMaven]

Good Morning. Would anyone care for a tall drink of water?

[MissGoddess]

That looks like one of Coopsgirl's videos...I haven't seen most of those home movies...super! Loved seeing color films from the set of The Westerner. And Coop with Jimmy, that was sweet.

[CineMaven]

I know you're a Peggy Lee fan. Her voice goes great with the images, don't you think? I love the scene with him & Jean Arthur on the steps. Nice.

[MissGoddess]

Yes! I have a CD with that song of Peggy's and listen to it frequently.

Often when I listen to songs these little "videos" flash in my mind, I only wish I had the patience to sit down and really make one.

[MissGoddess]

Very nice Morlock's article on The Hanging Tree here:

http://moviemorlocks.com/2012/09/11/go- ... tree-1959/

[Vienna]

What I want to know: what happened to poor Rune (Ben Piazza)

Superb western. And yes, let's hope Rune continues to work witH Doc Frail.
Thank you so much for that wonderful screen shot at the end of the movie. It's like a painting. I love the way Gary bends down and gently cradles Maria's face.

[RedRiver]

Would anyone care for a tall drink of water?

Yup!

This film and Ball of Fire were the ones where I first realized how good an actor Gary Cooper could be.

I like him in the Capra fables. Especially MEET JOHN DOE. The tormented scene at the convention may be his finest moment. He's good as SERGEANT YORK. And what can you say about PRIDE OF THE YANKEES? It's not my favorite baseball movie. But the actor hits a home run!

[Rita Hayworth]

What I want to know: what happened to poor Rune (Ben Piazza)

Superb western. And yes, let's hope Rune continues to work witH Doc Frail.
Thank you so much for that wonderful screen shot at the end of the movie. It's like a painting. I love the way Gary bends down and gently cradles Maria's face.

Welcome Vienna! ... that is my favorite part of the movie ... so tender but enduring ... thanks for sharing your thoughts and welcome to SSO!