Forajidos en Carson City

City Of Bad Men is Carson City, Nevada and that frontier town which was just beginning to show traces of civilization in 1897 is the host to the title defense of the heavyweight championship by James J. Corbett against the Cornish blacksmith Bob Fitzsimmons. There's lots of action outside the ring as well as three different gangs of outlaws all have plans to rob the proceeds of the fight.

The gangs are led by Dale Robertson, Richard Boone, and Dan Haggerty. Robertson is actually from the area and reestablishes himself with Jeanne Crain, the girl he left behind. But Robertson took her younger brother with him who got killed and she's not forgiving.

Robertson is like John Wayne in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance who is a man of the west, but knows the day of six gun law is coming to a close. In fact some of the themes of Liberty Valance are explored here with a different twist.

With the law closing in on the gangs there's more action outside the ring than inside where history records the tough blacksmith from Cornwall wore down the champion from San Francisco and knocked him out.

Of performances to note one would definitely be that Lloyd Bridges as Robertson's younger and wilder brother.

City Of Bad Men weaves a nice western tale into the most famous day Carson City, Nevada ever saw.

Technicolor Studio A-Western with a Good Cast and an Off-Center Story of Bad-Men Planning to Rob the Gate at a Heavyweight Championship Bout in Carson City.

Dale Robertson Posing a Solid Figure is a bit Stiff as the Good-Bad Leader of His Bunch and Richard Boone as "Johnny Ringo" the Head of a Rival Gang makes a Slimy Villain.

Lloyd Bridges has a Meaty Part as Robertson's Brother.

Somewhat Plodding but Original Take on the Western in the Decade of Westerns.

The Romantic Triangle with the Beautiful Jeanne Craine and Carole Matthews Doesn't Amount to Much.

The Tension Builds Steadily in the Over-Crowded Town.

Leading to a Good Climax with the Robbery and Attempted Getaway.

Overall, the Off-Kilter Story and Luscious Production Helps this one Rise Above.

The Enormity of Westerns on the Big and Small Screen in the 1950's.

"City of Bad Men" is unusual in that although much of the film is fictional, the setting is quite real. In 1897, Carson City, Nevada, of all places, hosted the heavyweight boxing championship of the world! The story begins as the two boxers, Jim Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons are in training there in Nevada...readying themselves for this match.

In the midst of all the hubbub associated with the match, Brett Stanton (Dale Robertson) and his gang of thugs arrive. It seems Stanton is from Carson City but he and his men have been gone six years and they chose now to return. At the same time, two other gang leaders are in town and between the three gangs, there's no way the Sheriff and his men can maintain order. So, the Sheriff makes an odd proposal...that the three gang leaders be deputized to help him maintain order....which sounds rather nutty! What's next? See the film.

While I did find some of the plot tough to believe, particularly Stanton's actions and motivations, I did enjoy the film and the final confrontation with Ringo was pretty amazing...and exciting. Overall, however, I really liked the film for one big reason...it lacked most of the usual clichés you expect in westerns.

Robertson, Boone, Betz, the lovely Matthews and the always great Bridges bring fine performances to this western with a "hook." The hook here is Fitzsimmons/Corbett boxing match held in Carson City, and our heroes are going to attempt to run off with the gate. The fight takes backseat to the romance and intrigue leading up to the big day. Of course our hero does the right thing, but it is interesting to watch how he gets to the right side of the law.

The Corbett-Fitzsimmons fight of 1897 draws to Carson City every outlaw of the territory, eager for the pickings. But Brett Stanton has bigger ideas! Like robbing the box office of a high profile prizefight.

City of Badmen is an unusual western, mainly due to its setting - a prizefight- as well as being a caper. It's a fairly intriguing western with enough conflict and some intelligent dialogue. A little talky at times and it takes a little time to get going, but it does draw you in, at least mildly. The best acting is from Dale Robertson who has a conscience and is conflicted over his criminal life - he clashes with his brother (Lloyd bridges) as well as Richard Boone, who, in no surprise, is the heavy. If you like unusual westerns with a unique setting and characterisation, then City of the Badmen is right up your creek.

A great deal of care has been taken to ensure authenticity in the settings of the period and details concerning the fight. The boxing style itself has changed so radically since 1897 that John Day and Gil Perkins, who are seen as Corbett and Fitzsimmons, trained industriously for their boxing scenes to create the authentic style. A veteran stuntman, Gil Perkins has staged some of the most exciting fights in screen history (John Wayne and Randolph Scott brawl in The Spoilers comes to mind)