With it being directed by the great Fritz Lang (a director with a great and distinctively Expressionistic visual and directing style, with 'M' and 'Metropolis' being two of the finest examples) and starring Marlene Dietrich (especially fond of her work with Josef von Sternberg and in 'Witness for the Prosecution'), 'Rancho Notorious' had a lot of interest value. Likewise with the story idea.
'Rancho Notorious' may not be my idea of a great film, especially for one with such a great director and an actress as talented as Dietrich. This is not to say that 'Rancho Notorious' is bad. It is far from that. While it is problematic and far from being one of Lang's best, in a way it's somewhat of a lesser effort, to me it was quite good and an interesting take on the genre. Strange and over-the-top but on the most part it's not in a bad way.
Its weak point is the main theme/song. It is used far too much, like over-explanatory narration in song form, and the actual theme is grating and heavy-handed. Didn't even think it fitted much stylistically either (sounding too jaunty for a film that started off in a gritty fashion) and the cheesiness of some of the words added to the out of kilter feel. Seeing as it features heavily, it was a big problem and made me not think highly of the music much.
The film is cheap-looking in the sets, which never look authentic and more hastily-made studio-bound settings that look like they were constructed on the remainder of a budget where most of it was blown hiring Lang and Dietrich. Arthur Kennedy's performance is slightly uneven, mostly he's fine but in the more romantic parts he looks uncomfortable and more chemistry (though it's there) with Dietrich would have been welcome.
Dietrich however, even when past prime, looks luminous and brings the right amount of charisma and toughness. Something that Kennedy also displays in his best moments. A relatively cast against type Mel Ferrer is lively support and George Reeves and Jack Elam are just as solid. Lang himself fares very well here, his direction is stylish and moody with some nice creative touches.
Also found 'Rancho Notorious' to boast some ravishingly striking cinematography. The rest of the songs are nicely sung and are placed and used better, even if one questions the necessity. The film gets off to a wonderfully gritty start that one does wish was carried further, though the over-the-top-ness was actually entertaining still and didn't jar as much as it sounds. The tension simmers beautifully and the climax scintillates, the lack of sentimentality was appreciated.
Summing up, intriguing, for Lang completests and to see how a different take on a Western can fare, and well done though Lang did much better. 7/10 Bethany Cox
