The Traveling Executioner

1970 film

Stacy Keach
Bud Cort
Stefan Gierasch
Marianna Hill

CinematographyPhilip H. LathropEdited byNeil TravisMusic byJerry Goldsmith

Production
company

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Release date

October 1, 1970 (1970-10-01)

Running time

95 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

The Traveling Executioner is a 1970 American comedy-drama western film directed by Jack Smight and starring Stacy Keach, Bud Cort, Stefan Gierasch and Marianna Hill.^[1]

The musical The Fields of Ambrosia is based on the film.^[2]

Plot

Jonas Candide, a former carnival showman,^[3] travels around the South in 1918 with his own portable electric chair, going from prison to prison with his young assistant, Jimmy, charging one hundred dollars per execution. Two of Jonas' potential victims are siblings Willy and Gundred Herzallerliebst. While Jonas successfully executes Willy, he falls for Gundred, hoping to fake her execution. He does, but then things turn dark for him.

Cast

Stacy Keach as Jonas Candide
Marianna Hill as Gundred Herzallerliebst
Bud Cort as Jimmy
Graham Jarvis as Doc Prittle
James Sloyan as Piquant
M. Emmet Walsh as Warden Brodski
John Bottoms as Lawyer
Ford Rainey as Stanley Mae
James Greene as Gravey Combs
Sam Reese as Priest
Stefan Gierasch as Willy Herzallerliebst
Logan Ramsey as La Follette
Charles Tyner as Virgil
William Mims as Lynn
Val Avery as Jake
Walt Barnes as Sheriff
Charlie Briggs as Zak
Paul Gauntt as Jeremy
Claire Brennen as Woman Passerby (uncredited)
Martine Fraser as 2nd Child (uncredited)
Tony Fraser as 1st Child (uncredited)
Katherine MacGregor as Alice Thorn (uncredited)
Pat Patterson as Roscoe (uncredited)
Lorna Thayer as Madam (uncredited)

Notes

Dyan Cannon was originally announced for the female lead.^[4]

Reception

Variety gave a positive review calling the film "a macabre, tastefully seamy comedy-drama about bayou prison life, circa 1918."^[5]

References

^ Variety Staff (December 31, 1969). "Review: 'The Traveling Executioner'". Variety.
^ Klein, Alvin (March 21, 1993). "THEATER; Premiere of a Musical, 'The Fields of Ambrosia'". The New York Times.
^ Control Nathan Rabin 4.0 #227 The Traveling Executioner (1970) — Nathan Rabin's Happy Place
^ Martin, Betty (February 7, 1970). "Movie Call Sheet". Los Angeles Times. p. 7.
^ "The Traveling Executioner". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. 31 December 1969. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2023.