Western
United States of America
Rancho Notorious is a 1952 western film directed by Fritz Lang. The film follows the story of Vern Haskell (played by Arthur Kennedy), a drifting cowboy who is seeking revenge for his girlfriend's murder. Along his journey, he meets a woman named Altar Keane (played by Marlene Dietrich), who runs a saloon in the town of Chuck-a-Luck. Vern discovers that one of Altar's customers, Frenchy Fairmont (played by Mel Ferrer), was the one who killed his girlfriend. Vern infiltrates Frenchy's bandit hideout, called "Rancho Notorious," to exact his revenge.
Inside Rancho Notorious, Vern finds himself surrounded by a group of outlaws and co-conspirators who are all loyal to Frenchy. He manages to gain their trust by pretending to be a fugitive and participating in their schemes. Vern becomes deeply involved in the gang's criminal activities and gains Frenchy's favor. Along the way, he also becomes romantically involved with Altar.
As Vern's plan nears fruition, he discovers the truth behind his girlfriend's murder and finds himself faced with a difficult decision. He must choose between his desire for revenge and his loyalty to Altar and her trusting young companion, Song (played by Lisa Ferraday), both of whom have become collateral damage in Vern's plan.
Rancho Notorious is known for its use of the "theme song," a recurrent melody that is woven throughout the film to emphasize the personal nature of Vern's quest for revenge. The film also features German Expressionist-inspired art direction and lighting, which heightens the dramatic tension and adds to the film's dark and brooding atmosphere.
