Scott Brady is Mitch Baker. His dad has been killed by a gang of outlaws known as the Newton Boys. They operate out of Mission, Texas, running arms across the border to Maximillian.
Baker’s dad was working for the government, trying to stop that flow of arms into Mexico. Now Mitch is out to settle the score.
He arrives in a wide-open town where sheriff’s are killed just about as quickly as they are sworn in. Gang leader Ed Newton (Jim Davis), isn’t in town, but plenty of his hand-picked gun hands are, led by hot-headed Cherokee (Leo Gordon).
Baker introduces himself to Rev. Simmons, one of the few men who stand for decency in Mission. In fact, he has five adopted children, including a lovely young lady named Angelita (Anne Bancroft).
Mitch quickly makes it clear he won’t be bullied around like recent sheriffs in Mission. At first, Rev. Simmons is happy to have Mitch on his side. But he begins to have second thoughts when it becomes clear the young man is totally obsessed with vengeance, won’t hesitate to kill and, to make matters worse, has his eye on young Angelita.
Marshal Steve Evans arrives in town, also looking for the men who killed Mitch’s dad. Like the reverend, he tries to convince Mitch to give up his quest for revenge.
Mitch refuses even the pleas of Angelita, setting the stage for a final showdown with the Newton boys.
Review:
Director Dwan’s last Western, this is a strange and not altogether convincing little film, witth he feel of a Western made at least a decade earlier. Just check out those closing credits.
Anne Baxter, as Angelita, gets our attention and Mitch’s with a saucy dance early in the film that was featured prominently in its promotion. And Dwan uses any excuse to get Brady to take his shirt off.
One of the stranger parts belongs to Scott Marlowe. His character, Allan, is constantly snooping on people. He snoops primarily for Cherokee and the other members of the Newton gang, but doesn’t have the courage to use his gun.
Jim Davis plays the leader of the Newton gang, but doesn’t show up until late in the movie.
Directed by:
Allan Dwan
Cast:
Scott Brady … Mitch Baker
Anne Bancroft … Angelita
Jay Flippen … Marshal Evans
Jim Davis … Ed Newton
Rhys Williams … Rev. Simmons
Leo Gordon … Cherokee
Scott Marlowe …. Allan
Billy Miller … Gona
Marilyn Winston … Banee
Marty Carrizosa … Tohna
Evelyn Rudie … Kehta
Myron Healey … Sheriff Williams
Gerald Milton … Jim Daley
Eddy Waller … Caesar
Harry Cheshire … Mayor Johnson
James Flavin … Secret Service Chief
Runtime: 81 min.
Songs:
“The Restless Breed” as title tune
“Angelita” as the closing song
Memorable lines:
Mitch Baker to Rev. Simmons, about all the children he’s adopted, including Angelita: “You
really take a lot of burdens on yourself, don’t you?”
Rev. Simmons: “Somebody has to. The Indians don’t want these half-breed orphans. And neither do their white fathers.”
Rev. Simmons to Mitch: “I don’t know who you are or where you’re from, but you should know you’re in one of the worst places on earth.
Cherokee: “Drawing a beed on a helpless drunk — what kind of man are you?”
Mitch Baker: “The kind that will shoot him in the belly if he doesn’t do what I say.”
Rev. Simmons, catching Mitch kissing his adopted daughter Angelita: “The price of having a fast gun in town comes high, doesn’t it?”
Rev. Simmons: “Angelita, you must not allow yourself to like this man (Mitch Baker).”
Angelita: “Is there ever to be a man I can like?”
Rev. Simmons to Angelita: “I have a feeling about that man. He’s here for a purpos — some sinful purpose.”
Marshal Evans: “In the name of your father, who was closer to me than any man on this earth — in his name I disown you. You’re not his son. You’re a wild-eyed holligan looking for cheap revenge. Not to satisfy the ghost of your father, but your own hurt, warped, distorted ego!”
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