2022 movie #116. 1955. In 1945 a 1-armed Army vet (Tracy) arrives in the tiny desert town of Black Rock looking for the father of the Japanese-American soldier who'd saved his life. He is not welcomed. Suspenseful film with a great cast. Oscars: Best Acting, Directing & writing ( )

A town with a secret tries to scare off a stranger.

2.5/4 (Okay).

It's effectively suspenseful, but too heavy to be entertaining. ( )

Superb and suspenseful mystery with a subdued social message, it's a mixture of noir and Western. It was nominated for three Academy Awards--Best Actor (Spencer Tracy); Best Director (John Sturges) and Best Screenplay. The pacing is terrific and taut and I suppose we should mostly credit Sturges for that. But Tracey is absolutely wonderful in the leading role. A man with a crippled arm, he's far from helpless. A certain scene where he takes down a bully judo style will stay with me forever. One to watch. ( )