The Tall Target

Synopsis: The historical fact of a possible assassination attempt on the President-Elect Abraham Lincoln makes the movie very interesting. The drama comes from a fictitious New York police sergeant discovering the plot and boarding the last train to Washington, DC, to protect the new president to be. Dick Powell does a very good job using deduction and logic to find who on the train could be conspirators. He is foiled at different times but manages to succeed even when the conspirators have caught him. The movie's action takes place mostly on the train and the effects of travelling are well done. Historically, several states have already seceded from the union and that included Virginia. That's why Lincoln had to travel to Washington, DC, through Maryland, also a slave state. When he was taking his own "Inaugural Train" the plan was to kill Lincoln in Baltimore during a long stop but Lincoln's supporters did some slight of hand to sneak him on board the last train to the capital. Maybe not Oscar

Genre: Adventure, Crime, Drama

Director(s): Anthony Mann

Actors: Dick Powell, Paula Raymond, Adolphe Menjou, Marshall Thompson

Production: Warner Bros.


IMDB:: 7.3

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: APPROVED
Year:: 1951
: 78 min
: 1 View

Mr. Gannon.
Mr. Gannon! Running orders.
I know, Mr. Crowley.
Not these!
You never had the like of this.
9:
16 pm, it says here.
February 22, 1861.
"Born to civil unrest.
"All trains will operate with caution
and reduced speed.
"Effective immediately."
You can thank the radical Republicans!
This boiler will never
run on time again.
A fine way to run a railroad!
A fine way to run a country!
Republicans are secessionists.
My aim is to bring the Flyer
into Washington depot at 9 am.
If the Good Lord is willing.
Good Lord may be willing.
But that order to slow down
was signed by P.J. Donovan,
division manager.
Inspector Reilly, New York police.
I am looking for a man.
What's he wanted for?
He's not. He's a friend of mine.
I'm seeing him off.
I've got his ticket and his baggage.
How long before the gates open?
- Another 15 minutes.
- Oh.
Berth 7 Car 42.
Why don't you go
keep your seat warm, inspector?
Oh, much obliged.
Tell me his name.
Nd I'll keep an eye out for him.
His name is Kennedy. John Kennedy.
How much longer?
Listen, Kennedy.
I told him you're waiting.
Tell him again.
My train leaves in an hour.
He said he'd call you. He's busy now.
Oh.
So I hear.
Hey! Where are you going?
Get back here.
Now, see here, Kennedy.
I want my report back.
Your report?
Well, there's your report.
And it's hogwash!
Everyone in the department
says it's hogwash.
This report was confidential
to you, Mr. Stroud.
Except for the copy I sent
to the Secretary of War.
When you're Superintendent, you can
decide what's confidential around here.
And who are you to go direct
to the War Department?
For the last time, will you
take action, Mr. Stroud?
If you don't, there'll be
a shooting in Baltimore tomorrow
that'll blow this country apart.
- What's this?
- Hogwash!
There's still time, Mr. Stroud.
Have you seen the evening paper?
"The President-elect plans
to spend tonight in Harrisburg,
"leaving early by special train
for Baltimore.
"where he intends to make a speech
"before continuing to Washington
for his inauguration."
Will you telegraph?
No!
Wait a minute, son.
It wouldn't be the new president who's
been picked for the shooting, would it?
It would. During his speech tomorrow.
If you're sure of that,
I'll go to Baltimore myself.
That's one speech
I wouldn't want to miss.
Are you certain
there's nothing to it, Simon?
Sgt. Kennedy was detailed
for two days to guard Abe Lincoln
when he was electioneering
in New York last fall.
He thinks he still on the assignment.
Well, I've got to be on my way.
- I've got a train to make myself.
- Good luck to you, Colonel.
Don't stand next to
Lincoln tomorrow, Caleb.
You never can tell when them
sharpshooters will miss.
Good luck to you, Sergeant!
I take to a man who stands up
for what he believes in.
Even if it is hogwash.
I'm going to Baltimore tonight.
I'll get to someone in authority.
You'll cut across channels.
And I'll bust you!
I'll save you the trouble.
Papers!
Read all about the new president.
Get your paper here!
Jeff Davis sworn in.
Papers!
Rail splitter splits union.
Papers! Papers!
Read all about it.
The new President.
Get your paper here.
Jeff Davis sworn in.
Papers!
Rail splitter splits union!
Read all about it!
Get your paper here.
Jeff Davis sworn in!
Read all about it!
Company!
Halt!
At ease!
Tickets, please. All tickets, please.
Here you are, conductor.
These toy soldiers yours?
Poughkeepsie's finest.
How about putting him in their box?
You're holding up my passengers.
Take over, sergeant.
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George Worthing Yates

George Worthing Yates (14 August 1901 in New York City – 6 June 1975 in Sonoma) was an American screenwriter. His early work was on serials shown in cinemas; he later progressed to feature films, primarily science fiction. He was the nephew of the head of Republic Pictures, Herbert Yates. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018