1947's "Albuquerque" was shot in the Cinecolor process, usually employed for Westerns, though one horror film made was Lugosi's "Scared to Death" (1946). Randolph Scott stars as Cole Armin, present when his stage is robbed just outside town, where he has been summoned for work by uncle John Armin (George Cleveland), whose name is despised because he rules by hook and by crook. Once Cole learns that his uncle is responsible for the stagecoach holdup (resulting in a man's murder), he recovers the money and joins the opposition, quickly running afoul of Armin's right hand man Steve Murkill (Lon Chaney), keeping a watchful eye on Cole with the aid of newcomer Letty Tyler (Barbara Britton). At a full 90 minutes, there are plenty of obstacles for the dependable Scott, while Cleveland is effectively cast against type as the wheelchair-bound villain (which Chaney would play in 1951's "The Bushwhackers"). Having begun her career opposite Boris Karloff in 1940's "Doomed to Die," attractive Catherine Craig was soon to retire as Mrs. Robert Preston, while Barbara Britton, best remembered for television's MR. AND MRS. NORTH, had previously worked with Randolph Scott in 1945's "Captain Kidd." A born scene stealer is the welcome Karolyn Grimes, little Zuzu in "It's a Wonderful Life," adorable as ever as Myrtle Walton, whose life is saved by Cole when he stops the runaway coach. This was no great stretch for Lon Chaney, repeating his stock henchman part many times over the following decade, but coming just over a year after being cast adrift by Universal, his starring days now behind him, the picture helped kickstart his career again (though his brawl with Scott, cigarette remaining in place, can't compare with the one against John Payne in 1949's "Captain China"). Along with crooked sheriff Bernard Nedell, he actually enjoys more screen time than the main villain.
Review of Albuquerque
