Folks in Black Rock have their own way of welcoming mysterious, one-armed stranger John J. Macreedy. He’s welcome to leave. Or they’ll make sure he leaves in a pine box.

Two-time Academy Award winner Spencer Tracy (a 1955 Best Actor Oscar nominee for this film) plays World War II veteran Macreedy, who keeps his own counsel about why he’s come to Black Rock and who keeps his wits about him when confronted with threats and violence. Director John Sturges (The Great Escape) ramps up the tension while revealing Macreedy’s mission and the town’s grim secret. “I’m half horse, half alligator,” one says. They’ll find Macreedy is even tougher stuff.