With a line up that includes Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Broderick Crawford and Lionel Barrymore, one would expect a better movie. Disappointing, there's little action until the final confrontation.
The story revolves around Texas...its it to be an independent Republic or is it to join the United States? Ex-President Andrew Jackson (Barrymore) asks cattleman Devereaux Burke (Gable) to seek out Sam Houston (Moroni Olsen) who has indicted his preference for the Republic side and sway him back to the annexation camp. Annexation would it seems, start a war between Texas and Mexico.
On his way to Austin, Burke crosses paths with the leader of the Republic camp Tom Crader (Crawford). The two fight off an Indian attack and become friends, Crader not knowing Burke's true identity. Into the mix comes Martha Ronda (Gardner) a newspaper editor, who has been crusading along with Crader for independence. Of course Burke becomes smitten with the beautiful Martha (who wouldn't).
With Crader and his followers in hot pursuit, Burke finally locates Houston among the Indians and learns that Houston is indeed in favor of annexation, not the other way around. Burke takes this information back to the President of Texas Anson Jones (Victor Sutherland) and his Congress. Skeptical at first President Jones agrees to wait for Houston's return before proceeding with the legislation to make Texas an independent state.
Crader masses his forces and marches on the Congress with Burke and a small force of supporters defending. A battle ensues and................................................
The ending is a bit of a flag waver and really doesn't make much sense in view of the violent conflict between the principals throughout the picture.
The story revolves around Texas...its it to be an independent Republic or is it to join the United States? Ex-President Andrew Jackson (Barrymore) asks cattleman Devereaux Burke (Gable) to seek out Sam Houston (Moroni Olsen) who has indicted his preference for the Republic side and sway him back to the annexation camp. Annexation would it seems, start a war between Texas and Mexico.
On his way to Austin, Burke crosses paths with the leader of the Republic camp Tom Crader (Crawford). The two fight off an Indian attack and become friends, Crader not knowing Burke's true identity. Into the mix comes Martha Ronda (Gardner) a newspaper editor, who has been crusading along with Crader for independence. Of course Burke becomes smitten with the beautiful Martha (who wouldn't).
With Crader and his followers in hot pursuit, Burke finally locates Houston among the Indians and learns that Houston is indeed in favor of annexation, not the other way around. Burke takes this information back to the President of Texas Anson Jones (Victor Sutherland) and his Congress. Skeptical at first President Jones agrees to wait for Houston's return before proceeding with the legislation to make Texas an independent state.
Crader masses his forces and marches on the Congress with Burke and a small force of supporters defending. A battle ensues and................................................
The ending is a bit of a flag waver and really doesn't make much sense in view of the violent conflict between the principals throughout the picture.