Silver has been discovered on Comanche lands. The U.S. government has reached a deal with the Comanches for mining of the land, but it seems that greedy locals want to make sure that they're not made aware of any agreement. The legendary James Bowie (Macdonald Carey) arrives on the scene, realizing that he's got his work cut out for him in trying to prevent hostilities from flaring. Among the characters that he meets are genial politician Dan'l Seeger (Will Geer) and the incredibly feisty local businesswoman Katie Howard (Maureen O'Hara).
Overall, this is a reasonably absorbing if also routine Western. It is beautifully shot, in colour, by Maury Gertsman. It treats its Indian characters with a modicum of respect, although it does take one out of the action seeing that Rick Vallin, playing Pakanah, is clearly white. A fairly short running time (76 minutes) and adequate direction (by George Sherman) help to make this pass the time agreeably. Certainly the big action finale is rousing enough.
The cast is the best asset that the movie has. Carey is an engaging lead. O'Hara is at her most fiery and ravishing as Katie. Carey and Geer have fine chemistry, and Geer, who steals the show, clearly has some fun playing a rather colourful character. Charles Drake is also good as Katies' brother Stacey. Other players include Pedro de Cordoba as Comanche chief Quisima, Ian MacDonald (the villain in "High Noon" two years later) as Walsh, film debuting Parley Baer as Boozer the bartender, James Best as Sam, and Glenn Strange as Big Joe.
There's nothing here that's really all that memorable, but it *is* entertaining.
Six out of 10.
Overall, this is a reasonably absorbing if also routine Western. It is beautifully shot, in colour, by Maury Gertsman. It treats its Indian characters with a modicum of respect, although it does take one out of the action seeing that Rick Vallin, playing Pakanah, is clearly white. A fairly short running time (76 minutes) and adequate direction (by George Sherman) help to make this pass the time agreeably. Certainly the big action finale is rousing enough.
The cast is the best asset that the movie has. Carey is an engaging lead. O'Hara is at her most fiery and ravishing as Katie. Carey and Geer have fine chemistry, and Geer, who steals the show, clearly has some fun playing a rather colourful character. Charles Drake is also good as Katies' brother Stacey. Other players include Pedro de Cordoba as Comanche chief Quisima, Ian MacDonald (the villain in "High Noon" two years later) as Walsh, film debuting Parley Baer as Boozer the bartender, James Best as Sam, and Glenn Strange as Big Joe.
There's nothing here that's really all that memorable, but it *is* entertaining.
Six out of 10.