Payday **** (1973, Rip Torn, Ahna Capri) – Classic Movie Review 13,979

Rip Torn gives a rip-snorting performance as a cynical, selfish country music singer on the way down, in Daryl Duke’s 1973 American drama film Payday.

Director Daryl Duke’s 1973 American drama film Payday is written by Don Carpenter, and stars Rip Torn and Ahna Capri.

Rip Torn gives a rip-snorting performance as the cynical, selfish country music singer Maury Dann, in this intricately observed odyssey on the road to Nashville.

Hard-drinking alcoholic musician Maury Dann (Torn) has been successful but is on the way down and also on the road to destroying himself and everyone around him, in this downbeat but moving film, beautifully written and expertly performed, as well as directed winningly by Duke.

Torn and Duke’s finest hour, it is special! And an ideal vehicle for Torn’s engagingly eccentric personality.

It was shot in and around Selma, Alabama.

It was made for just $760,000.

Cast: Rip Torn as Maury Dann, Ahna Capri as Mayleen Travis, Elayne Heilveil as Rosamond McClintock, Michael C Gwynne as Clarence McGinty, Jeff Morris as Bob Tally, Cliff Emmich as Chicago, Henry O Arnold, Walter Bamberg, Linda Spatz, Eleanor Fell, Clara Dunn.

Payday is directed by Daryl Duke, runs 103 minutes, is made by Pumice Finance Company and Fantasy Films, is released by Cinerama Releasing Corporation, is written by Don Carpenter, is shot by Richard C Glouner, is produced by Martin Fink, Don Carpenter and Ralph J Gleason, and is scored by Shel Silverstein, Ed Bogas, Tommy McKinney, Ian Tyson, and Sylvia Tyson.

Elmore Rual ‘Rip’ Torn Jr (February 6, 1931 – July 9, 2019) 

The nickname ‘Rip’ is a family tradition, used by his father, uncle and a cousin.

© Derek Winnert 2026 Classic Movie Review 13,979

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