The Tall Target (1951)
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76% of users liked it
(218 ratings)
The Tall Target is based on a true story: the attempted assassination of President-elect Abraham Lincoln, even before he was able to assume his duties in Washington. Dick Powell stars as New York detective John Kennedy, who learns of the assassination plot early on. When his superiors refuse to… More The Tall Target is based on a true story: the attempted assassination of President-elect Abraham Lincoln, even before he was able to assume his duties in Washington. Dick Powell stars as New York detective John Kennedy, who learns of the assassination plot early on. When his superiors refuse to believe his wild tale, Kennedy quits the force and boards the Presidential train, hoping to prevent the killing on his own. The problem: who can he trust on board, and who can't be trusted? Ginny Beaufort (Paula Raymond), the sister of the would-be assassin, might be able to prevent the tragedy -- if she isn't in on the conspiracy, that is. The supporting cast includes Adolphe Menjou, Marshall Thompson, Will Geer, and, as a slave, a young Ruby Dee. The film's nail-biting climax is brilliantly handled by Anthony Mann, whose directorial expertise was becoming sharper with each successive film in the early 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Anthony Mann
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 17, 1951 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
Critic Reviews
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Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... a film full of dynamic images and marvelous grace notes.
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Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
For all its social relevance, The Tall Target is first and foremost a 50's drama, full of action, whiskey, and saucy characters.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Mann's strong direction keeps things taut, fast-paced, very well-detailed and nail-biting.
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Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
As in Reign of Terror, Anthony Mann fashions a noir mini-masterpiece out of incongruous period reconstruction.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dick Powell
as John Kennedy
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Paula Raymond
as Ginny Beaufort
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Adolphe Menjou
as Col. Caleb Jeffers
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Marshall Thompson
as Lance Beaufort
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Ruby Dee
as Rachel
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Richard Rober
as Lt. Coulter
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Florence Bates
as Mrs. Charlotte Alsop
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Katherine Warren
as Mrs. Gibbons
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Leif Erickson
as Stranger
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Peter Brocco
as Fernandina
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Barbara Billingsley
as Young Mother
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Will Wright
as Thomas I. Ogden
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Regis Toomey
as Tim Rielly
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Jeff Richards
as Policeman
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Tom Powers
as Simon G. Stroud
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Leslie Kimmell
as Abraham Lincoln
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James Harrison
as Allan Pinkerton
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Dan Foster
as Dapper Man
- Paul Harvey
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Victor Kilian
as John K. Gannon
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Will Geer
as Homer Crowley
