Rancho Notorious Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude’s girl gets got, so he infiltrates a Wild West bandit Airbnb run by Marlene Dietrich to find the culprit, but mostly finds himself in a love triangle.

🍿 Rancho Notorious: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Rancher’s Vow

Vern Haskell, a Wyoming rancher, is preparing to marry his fiancée, Beth. Their dreams of a peaceful life together are shattered when Beth is murdered during a robbery. Consumed by grief and rage, Vern embarks on a relentless quest to find her killer and avenge her death.

The Trail to Chuck-a-Luck

Vern’s pursuit leads him to a dying outlaw who mentions a place called Chuck-a-Luck. He learns that Chuck-a-Luck is a hidden ranch that serves as a sanctuary for criminals, run by a former saloon singer named Altar Keane. Determined to find his fiancée’s killer, Vern sets out to infiltrate this outlaw haven.

Infiltration and Alliances

Vern finds himself in the company of dangerous outlaws. He navigates a web of deceit and violence, trying to identify Beth’s murderer while avoiding suspicion. He forms an uneasy alliance with Frenchy Fairmont, Altar’s lover and a notorious gunslinger, who may hold the key to unlocking the truth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Altar Keane (Marlene Dietrich): A former saloon singer who runs Chuck-a-Luck, a ranch that serves as a hideout for criminals.
• Vern Haskell (Arthur Kennedy): A determined rancher seeking revenge for the rape and murder of his fiancée.
• Frenchy Fairmont (Mel Ferrer): Altar Keane’s lover and a skilled gunman who becomes entangled in Vern’s quest for vengeance.
• Beth Forbes (Gloria Henry): Vern’s fiancée whose death sets the plot in motion.
• Baldy Gunder (William Frawley): A saloon owner with a mean side and a connection to Altar Keane’s past.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Altar Keane: “I’d wish you go away… and come back ten years ago.” – Altar says this to Vern, expressing a longing for a different time in her life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $900,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $63

💥 Rancho Notorious Reviews

Personal Review

I found this movie surprisingly engaging! Marlene Dietrich is captivating as Altar Keane. Although the plot is straightforward – a quest for revenge – it’s the atmosphere and the complex characters that really drew me in. I particularly enjoyed the scenes at Chuck-a-Luck, the outlaw hideout. It felt like a lawless sanctuary and I was impressed with the movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “Viewers interested in film noir”
  • “Marlene Dietrich admirers”
  • “Those who enjoy revenge stories with a twist”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Rape”
  • “Murder”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Fritz Lang’s superlative western teeters dangerously on the edge of campness. In many respects the film is a perfect companion to Nicholas Ray’s not dissimilar ‘Johnny Guitar’, made around the same time and both featuring dominant women and weaker men and both dealing explicitly with ‘hate, murder and revenge’.
• IMDB: “The film has a weird arty European vibe, but combined with basic American entertainment practicality. The movie is limited by the silly song narration and was shot completely in Burbank on some of the phoniest sets I’ve ever seen.
• IMDB: “I am not a Marlene Dietrich fan and don’t really see Arthur Kennedy as being charismatic enough to interest her. This film moves along well and is different to most Westerns of the period and is also relatively direct in its treatment of sex.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the unique blend of Western and Film Noir elements.: The performances, especially Marlene Dietrich’s, were highly praised.

The film’s unconventional storytelling and atmospheric setting resonated with many viewers.: Most people thought the movie stood apart from typical westerns due to its European aesthetic.

Overall Consensus: A unique Western with a strong female lead, offering a blend of classic Western themes with Film Noir elements. It’s an unconventional and thought-provoking film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Cinematographer Hal Mohr nearly quit due to Marlene Dietrich’s demands for lighting that would make her look significantly younger than her actual age of 50.”
• “The film is based on the story ‘Gunsight Whitman’ by Silvia Richards.”
• “The ballad ‘The Legend of Chuck-a-Luck’, used throughout the movie, has been criticized by some viewers as grating and ill-fitting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rancho Notorious?

As a classic film, ‘Rancho Notorious’ may be available for streaming or purchase on various platforms. Check services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies for availability. DVD and Blu-ray copies can also be found through online retailers. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rancho Notorious, you might like these similar films:

• Destry Rides Again (1939): Also stars Marlene Dietrich in a Western setting, offering a similar blend of drama and her unique screen presence.
• Johnny Guitar (1954): Features a strong female lead in a unique Western setting, exploring themes of revenge and societal roles, similar to Rancho Notorious.
• High Noon (1952): A classic Western from the same era, dealing with themes of justice, revenge, and moral conflict in a frontier setting.
• The Searchers (1956): Deals with themes of vengeance and has a similar plot where the protagonist goes on a long, arduous journey seeking revenge.

🛒 Rancho Notorious Related Products

• Marlene Dietrich: The Glamour Collection [Blu-ray]: A collection of Marlene Dietrich’s classic films, showcasing her iconic style and talent, and her films in Rancho Notorious and Destry Rides Again, and Witness for the Prosecution.
• Classic Western Movie Posters (Set of 10): A set of posters featuring classic Western films, capturing the spirit of the genre and would include actors George Reeves, William Frawley and Marlene Dietrich.
• Outlaws of the Old West Board Game: A strategy board game where players become notorious outlaws, building their gang and competing for territory.
• Chuck-a-Luck Dice Game Set: A complete set for playing Chuck-a-Luck, the dice game featured in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rancho Notorious features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Get Away Young Man” – performed by Marlene Dietrich
• “The Legend of Chuck-a-Luck” – performed by Bill Lee

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Marlene Dietrich breathtaking at 50

Want to see Marlene Dietrich absolutely captivating in Rancho Notorious? This quick clip proves she was a force to be reckoned with, even at 50! Check it out!

✨ Rate