RANCHO NOTORIOUS

What an entertaining but odd Western this is, directed by the German émigré Fritz Lang, and starring Marlene Dietrich.

The eponymous ranch is named Chuck-a-Luck, which was the original title of the film until the studio boss Howard Hughes objected - one of his better decisions.  Apparently Chuck-a-Luck is a real thing, a game using dice and a form of roulette wheel. 

With the help of Frenchie (Mel Ferrer), Altar Crane (Dietrich) wins enough money at the game to set up the ranch as a refuge for outlaws, who in return give her 10% of their ill-gotten gains.

Into this happy setup comes Vern (played by Arthur Kennedy) seeking revenge on the guy, Kinch, who raped and murdered his fiancée at the beginning of the film, the only problem being he doesn't know what his quarry looks like, or indeed anything about him. 

Things rapidly escalate what with Vern romancing Altar in order to extract information (who responds enough to make Frenchie jealous), a bank robbery, and Kinch trying to kill Vern.

It all gets resolved satisfactorily, even if somewhat predictably Altar has to die.

Lang keeps it moving along nicely, there are some memorable fights, it looks great, there is a singing narrator, and it is never predictable.

And needless to say Dietrich is great and steals every scene she is in.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do