Bad Day at Black Rock

Bad Day at Black Rock Plot

In 1945, John J. Macreedy (Spencer Tracy), a handicapped war veteran, steps off the Southern Pacific passenger train at the desert hamlet of Black Rock. It is the first time the train has stopped there in four years. The little town has very few inhabitants and appears to be dying.

Macreedy is looking for a man named Komoko but the residents are inexplicably hostile. At the hotel, the young desk clerk, Pete Wirth (John Ericson), says all the rooms are full. The newcomer is none-too-subtly threatened by local tough Hector David (Lee Marvin). Reno Smith (Robert Ryan), who acts as the town’s authority figure, informs Macreedy that Komoko no longer lives in Black Rock; as a Japanese-American he was interned during World War II.

Certain something is wrong, Macreedy sees the town sheriff, Tim Horn (Dean Jagger), but the lawman is an alcoholic and clearly afraid of Smith. The town physician and undertaker, Doc Velie (Walter Brennan), advises Macreedy to leave town immediately. Smith lets slip that Komoko is dead. Liz Wirth (Anne Francis), Pete’s sister, rents Macreedy a Jeep. Macreedy finds Liz to be the only civil person in town.

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