Tracy (John Macreedy) steps off a passenger train at Black Rock, a desolate and dying community. This is the fourth in a series of articles about classic films that you can screen at family movie night or for your movie group. This powerful film is directed by John Sturges ( The Magnificent Seven, Old Man and the Sea, and The Great Escape), and it is among his best. Tracy believes it is his duty to give the son’s medal to the father. The soldier saved Tracy’s life in combat in Italy.
Spencer Tracy stars as a one-armed former platoon leader trying to track down the father of a deceased Japanese-American soldier. This tale of post-World War II anti-Japanese prejudice was well ahead of its time. You’re so scared now you’ll probably drown in your own sweat.Ĭoley: No, before that happens, couldn’t I pick a fight with you if I tied one hand behind me…? Smith: I don’t think that’ll be necessary. And then either he or your other ape sittin’ over there could beat me to death and cop a plea of self-defense. Maybe he thinks that if he needles me enough, I might crack. Smith: Why ever would he want to do that? Macreedy: I think your friend is trying to start trouble. Macreedy: You’re not only wrong – you’re wrong at the top of your voice. Whaddya think of that?Ĭoley: You know, talkin’ to you is like pullin’ teeth. You mess with me and I’ll kick a lung outta ya.