The Traveling Executioner is a 1970 American comedy-drama western film directed by Jack Smight and starring Stacy Keach, Bud Cort, Stefan Gierasch and Marianna Hill.[1]
The Traveling Executioner | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Jack Smight |
Written by | Garrie Bateson |
Produced by | Jack Smight |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Philip H. Lathrop |
Edited by | Neil Travis |
Music by | Jerry Goldsmith |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The musical The Fields of Ambrosia is based on the film.[2]
Plot
editJonas Candide, a former carnival showman,[3] travels around the South in 1918 with his own portable electric chair, going from prison to prison with his young assistant, Jimmy, charging one hundred dollars per execution. Two of Jonas' potential victims are siblings Willy and Gundred Herzallerliebst. While Jonas successfully executes Willy, he falls for Gundred, hoping to fake her execution. He does, but then things turn dark for him.
Cast
edit- Stacy Keach as Jonas Candide
- Marianna Hill as Gundred Herzallerliebst
- Bud Cort as Jimmy
- Graham Jarvis as Doc Prittle
- James Sloyan as Piquant
- M. Emmet Walsh as Warden Brodski
- John Bottoms as Lawyer
- Ford Rainey as Stanley Mae
- James Greene as Gravey Combs
- Sam Reese as Priest
- Stefan Gierasch as Willy Herzallerliebst
- Logan Ramsey as La Follette
- Charles Tyner as Virgil
- William Mims as Lynn
- Val Avery as Jake
- Walt Barnes as Sheriff
- Charlie Briggs as Zak
- Paul Gauntt as Jeremy
- Claire Brennen as Woman Passerby (uncredited)
- Martine Fraser as 2nd Child (uncredited)
- Tony Fraser as 1st Child (uncredited)
- Katherine MacGregor as Alice Thorn (uncredited)
- Pat Patterson as Roscoe (uncredited)
- Lorna Thayer as Madam (uncredited)
Notes
editDyan Cannon was originally announced for the female lead.[4]
Reception
editVariety gave a positive review calling the film "a macabre, tastefully seamy comedy-drama about bayou prison life, circa 1918."[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Variety Staff (December 31, 1969). "Review: 'The Traveling Executioner'". Variety.
- ^ Klein, Alvin (March 21, 1993). "THEATER; Premiere of a Musical, 'The Fields of Ambrosia'". The New York Times.
- ^ Control Nathan Rabin 4.0 #227 The Traveling Executioner (1970) — Nathan Rabin's Happy Place
- ^ Martin, Betty (February 7, 1970). "Movie Call Sheet". Los Angeles Times. p. 7.
- ^ "The Traveling Executioner". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. 31 December 1969. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2023.