The Colonel Mortimer affect

[Dirty Rat]

Something else that I have always wondered........
What exactly is it that makes the train passenger and conductor stop mid conversation whilst addressing Colonel Mortimer upon seeing the full frontal view of him? Is it because they realise that he is a man 'of the cloth'?
That's what I have always thought. If so, what exactly is it? He isn't wearing a dog collar or anything.....?

[Jordan Krug]

Maybe just the look on his face or the way he's staring at them?

[Huey]

I thought the passenger called him "reverend" or something because he was reading a bible and then stopped talking because he realised Mortimer is a dangerous customer. He had the same effect on the conductor but not, until he grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, on the bartender.

[Dirty Rat]

Yeah, it's certainly interesting and I'd like to hear more people's views.......

[t-bone]

I think it's because when Mortimer turns to face him, he kinda puts his right hand on his hip, near his gun...expressing that there's really no need for further discussion.

[El_Chuncho]

It's because he exudes class and influence.
Everything from his black steed, to his age, posture and his impeccably elegant clothes mark him as a man of means.
You can see the sudden change in the conductor's attitude toward him as he checks out the Colonel's fine threads and obvious status.
I always felt it was more the sight of his silver waistcoat and gold watch-fob than his pistol that compels the conductor to cease calling him "mister" and address him instead as "sir": It's not fear that brings that change, but respect.

[drinkanddestroy]

I'm pretty sure the conductor change his demeanor when he sees Mortimer's gun

[Dirty Rat]

I have never noticed the hand on the hip thing but am starting to lean towards what El_Chunho is saying.
The same thing happens to me when I'm on the bus.....

[El_Chuncho]

I have never noticed the hand on the hip thing but am starting to lean towards what El_Chunho is saying.
The same thing happens to me when I'm on the bus.....

  nice one DR...you'd be useful on the 82X...

[emmo26]

Herman Reynoso is that uncredited train passenger...

He also plays that pervy mormon leader guy in The Big Gundown.

[Rudra]

"This train will stop at Tucumcari!". Mortimer pulls the emergency cord, bringing train to a complete halt. The train conductor gets down and asks the locomotive crew for the reason of unscheduled stop. Suddenly the freight carriage door opens and Mortimer walks out with his horse, down the ramp. So:

1. How did Mortimer get to the freight wagon before the train come to a complete stop? Not that the passenger and freight carriage were inter-connected?

2. Assuming, that he did get to the freight wagon, so he got to door, opened it, closed it, took reigns of his horse and then opened the door again, too much of a work eh?

[cigar joe]

1. Well it took a little while for the brakemen to turn all the breaks on the train. Leone shows just one sequence on one car, so conceivably it could have taken a few minutes. No air brakes yet on that train.

2. Well again it is Leone playing with time. ;-)

[Cusser]

And what a coincidence that the stable car door was perfectly aligned with the ramp after the panic stop !!!  And that the horse already had his bridle and saddle on, that's not what's done.  And you don't tie up a horse with the reins either, like they always do in westerns.  And typically the saddle and bridle come off when not riding.

Mrs. Cusser has a horse, and so does oldest daughter.  No need to ask why I drive a 1988 truck and a 1971 VW convertible....

[Groggy]

Something else that I have always wondered........
What exactly is it that makes the train passenger and conductor stop mid conversation whilst addressing Colonel Mortimer upon seeing the full frontal view of him? Is it because they realise that he is a man 'of the cloth'?
That's what I have always thought. If so, what exactly is it? He isn't wearing a dog collar or anything.....?

If Lee Van Cleef sneered impatiently at you how would you feel?

[Senza]

I think it's more "The Lee Van Cleef Stare Effect", SL himself said his eyes makes holes in the screen.