Absolutely. I've always loved this part of the film, owing to the fantastic interaction between Tyrone Power and James Burke. The way the initially skeptical sheriff gradually begins to listen to Stan and feel like the younger man understands him, is an amazing bit of acting. What fascinates me is the fact that we know it's just an act, and Stan doesn't really care about the sheriff's problems, yet Power is so good, that you almost believe him when he offers friendly advice to the weary older man.
I read a book once about con artists, and the author states that in order for a con man to be successful, he must obtain the trust of the victim; that despite common sense and logic, the victim believes in what the other person is selling, truly WANTS to believe, and looks on the con artist as a good friend, or least someone with their best interests at heart. There's a moment where Power says something to the effect of the sheriff having a lot of responsibilities and enemies who would like him to fail, and the sheriff responds in a tired, but grateful sounding way, something like " Son, you've sure got that right."
Burke is absolutely unforgettable in this brief scene. If I were teaching acting classes, I would have my students watch this sequence to see two gifted actors at their best.
And when he crossed the bridge, the phantoms came to meet him
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climber9
17 years ago
Great post! I think the line is "Mister, that's the God's honest truth." It is the key line in the scene. The sheriff is surprised and relieved to find someone who actually empathizes with him (everybody else thinking he's a clod). Like many con men and mentalists, Power has the ability to do a "cold reading," picking up (possibly unconsciously) clues to the victim's state of mind from his speech, body language, etc. and then using the information to control him. Here he seems to pick up on the sherrif's sense that he is unappreciated (and also his slight paranoia). It is, we agree, a great scene, magnificently acted.
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