Die Uhr ist abgelaufen (1957)

Die Uhr ist abgelaufen: Directed by James Neilson. With James Stewart, Audie Murphy, Dan Duryea, Dianne Foster. A fired railroad man is re-hired and trusted to carry a ten thousand dollar payroll in secret, even though he is suspected of being connected to outlaws.

“u0026quot;Night Passageu0026quot; is one of a series of westerns made by the venerable James Stewart for Universal in the 50u0026#39;s and 60u0026#39;s. This one is directed by James Neilson rather than Anthony Mann but is nonetheless an above average western.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e Grant McLaine (Stewart) has been wondering from place to place over the past five years earning his living by singing songs and playing the accordion. McLaine had been fired by the railroad for appearing to have helped his outlaw brother, The Utica Kid (Audie Murphy) escape justice five years earlier. The railroad is being robbed of their payrolls by Whitey Harbin (Dan Duryea) and his gang. Railroad boss Kimball (Jay C. Flippen) rehires McLaine to guard the next payroll. Along the way McLaine learns that the Utica Kid is a part of Whiteyu0026#39;s gang. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e McLaine befriends a boy, Joey (Brandon DeWilde) as he is being chased by surly villain Concho (Robert Wilke). Later, the train on which they are traveling is held up by the gang and Kimballu0026#39;s wife Verna (Elaine Stewart) is taken captive. After being pistol whipped by Concho, McLaine recovers and trails the gang to their hideout. There he poses as the person bringing the ransom money while meeting up with his brother. Will blood be thicker than water? Youu0026#39;ll have to wait until the final showdown.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e The film is beautifully photographed and the railroad setting provides for many scenic moments. The Stewart character doesnu0026#39;t quite have the edge that he would have had in a Mann film, however ANY film with James Stewart is worth your time. Murphy playing in an rare u0026quot;Au0026quot; level movie does okay as the all in black gunfighter. Duryea is at his usual sneering slightly mad best as the chief villain.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e Of the supporting players, Olive Carey (widow of Harry Carey) has a delightful bit as a muleskinner named Miss Vittles. Dianne Foster appears as Murphyu0026#39;s girl, u0026quot;Charlieu0026quot; and Paul Fix and Ellen Corby are hilarious as the Feeneys. In addition to Wilke, Duryeau0026#39;s gang includes Jack Elam and Chuck Roberson. For nostalgic TV fans Herbert Anderson (Dennis the Menace) and Hugh Beaumont (Leave It To Beaver) have small roles as well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e Worth your while.”