1950s Western: Rage at Dawn (4K)
Channel: Enhanced Public Domain
Date: 27/01/2024

Rage at Dawn is a 1955 American Technicolor Western film directed by Tim Whelan, and starring Randolph Scott, Forrest Tucker, Mala Powers, and J. Carrol Naish. It purports to tell the true story of the Reno Brothers, an outlaw gang which terrorized the American Midwest, particularly Southern Indiana, in the period immediately following the American Civil War.

A more successful version of the Reno brothers' story was released the following year as Love Me Tender, starring Elvis Presley as Clint Reno.

This film was shot on location in Columbia State Historic Park, California, which means that the buildings have a somewhat authentic period look and the topography somewhat resembles many parts of southern Indiana near Seymour, which are very hilly. Slightly lessening the verisimilitude — or intentionally introducing a science fiction element into the film — as the gang makes its way into the town to rob the bank, there is the unmistakable sight of electric lines and utility poles, and — as the robbers ride through — more power lines, and a pole flying the California State Flag, are shown in passing. The railroad scenes were filmed on the Sierra Railroad in Tuolumne County, California

Cast:
Randolph Scott as James Barlow
Forrest Tucker as Frank Reno
Mala Powers as Laura Reno
J. Carrol Naish as Simeon 'Sim' Reno
Edgar Buchanan as Judge
Myron Healey as John Reno
Howard Petrie as Lattimore – Prosecuting Attorney
Ray Teal as Sheriff of Seymour
William Forrest as William Peterson
Denver Pyle as Clint Reno
Trevor Bardette as Fisher
Kenneth Tobey as Monk Claxton