The legend of the gold mine buried in Arizona's Superstition Mountains, is what attracts young Barry Storm to come get the treasure. Supposedly, he is related to Dutch Walz, the man who discovered where the Indiasn buried the treasure. Now Barry has come to the rugged territory to try and claim it for himself. As the story opens, Barry witnesses the killing of a man who he believes is also looking for the illusive gold. The only thing to do is report it to the local authorities, but he is surprised when the sheriff Early tells him this man is about the fifth one killed pursuing the treasure. He is sent back to point to Ray Covin, a deputy, the location.
In flashbacks, the action goes back to the late 1800s when Dutch Walz, an adventurer happens to be at the place where the the old mine was sealed by the Apaches, who believed the mountains were a sacred place. Walz makes a mistake, common to most newly rich individuals, he goes into the nearest town with his findings attracting the curiosity of the general population.
Unknown to him, Julia Thomas, who owns the town's bakery, learns about Dutch Walz. She formulates a plan to snare the naive Walz, who falls under the spell of her beauty. Unknown to Dutch, Julia is married to Pete, a man that she doesn't love anymore, but who sees the opportunity as well to get some of Walz's money for himself. Julia and Pete follow Dutch into the area where the gold is hidden, but a natural disaster intervenes in their claim to richness.
The interesting aspect of this 1949 MGM film, directed by S. Sylvan Simon is that it combines two genres quite well because it is a western, as well as a film noir because the elements that were injected in the story by Ted Sherdeman and Richard English screenplay. This is a film rarely seen these days and that merits a view by fans of its director. Archie Stout's excellent black and white cinematography enhances Arizona's Superstition Mountains. For those days, where special effects were in their infancy, Mr. Simon stages fights at the rim of cliffs that one wonders how they were staged.
Glenn Ford makes a good Dutch Walz. The immensely talented Ida Lupino plays the ambitious Julia. Hers is a smaller role, but she puts enough heat to steal the picture. A mustachioed Gig Young is seen as Pete. Will Geer has a good opportunity as Ray. Edgar Buchanan, Wiiliam Prince and Paul Ford are also in the supporting cast.
A seldom seen treat.
In flashbacks, the action goes back to the late 1800s when Dutch Walz, an adventurer happens to be at the place where the the old mine was sealed by the Apaches, who believed the mountains were a sacred place. Walz makes a mistake, common to most newly rich individuals, he goes into the nearest town with his findings attracting the curiosity of the general population.
Unknown to him, Julia Thomas, who owns the town's bakery, learns about Dutch Walz. She formulates a plan to snare the naive Walz, who falls under the spell of her beauty. Unknown to Dutch, Julia is married to Pete, a man that she doesn't love anymore, but who sees the opportunity as well to get some of Walz's money for himself. Julia and Pete follow Dutch into the area where the gold is hidden, but a natural disaster intervenes in their claim to richness.
The interesting aspect of this 1949 MGM film, directed by S. Sylvan Simon is that it combines two genres quite well because it is a western, as well as a film noir because the elements that were injected in the story by Ted Sherdeman and Richard English screenplay. This is a film rarely seen these days and that merits a view by fans of its director. Archie Stout's excellent black and white cinematography enhances Arizona's Superstition Mountains. For those days, where special effects were in their infancy, Mr. Simon stages fights at the rim of cliffs that one wonders how they were staged.
Glenn Ford makes a good Dutch Walz. The immensely talented Ida Lupino plays the ambitious Julia. Hers is a smaller role, but she puts enough heat to steal the picture. A mustachioed Gig Young is seen as Pete. Will Geer has a good opportunity as Ray. Edgar Buchanan, Wiiliam Prince and Paul Ford are also in the supporting cast.
A seldom seen treat.