Barbara Rush is Princess Lucia, exiled in Sante Fe under the watchful eyes of the Duke of Montera (Rex Reason) during the days when Spain ruled California.
Word comes that it’s time for her to return to Spain to claim the throne. The question: How to get there when there are sure to be opponents determined to stop her?
Montera decides an overland route to Monterey is the best first step toward Spain. And he decides they just might need a scoundrel known as El Tigre (Jack Palance) to guide them on the perilous journey.
El Tigre reluctantly accepts the job, quarrels with the princess over how much baggage she should take and with Montera over how many soldiers should accompany them on the trip.
And the trip turns out to be just as dangerous as anticipated. It’s threatened by Comanches and Paiutes. It’s threatened by rivals to the crown. Perhaps most alarmingly, it’s threatened by traitors from within.
As the death toll mounts, the princess grows more wary of the bloodshed that will likely accompany her arrival in Spain. And as El Tigre protects her from one danger after another, she becomes more fascinated with him.
Review:
This marked an early starring role for Jack Palance, and he delivers a solid performance, absent of the over-the-top acting that so often made him unbearable in films that would come later.
Also helping set this film apart: The unique time period and the beauty of co-star Barbara Rush, whose six-year marriage to actor Jeffrey Hunter was coming to an end at the time.
That said, the movie isn’t without faults: Check out the silly scene in which the Piaute chief wants to trade women with his white friends and decides he wants the princess.
Oh, and then there’s Rex Reason, who makes one of the most astoundingly quick recoveries from a near fatal wound you’ll ever see on film.
Directed by:
Joseph M. Newman
Cast:
Jack Palance … El Tigre
Barbara Rush … Princess Lucia
Rex Reason … Duke of Montera
Martha Hyer … Felicia
Leslie Bradley … Baron Vega
Alan Reed … Sgt. Diego
Lawrence Dobkin … Padre Domingo
Joseph Waring … Victor
Pat Hogan … Chief Pahvant
Karen Kadler … Shining Moon
Steve Geray … Ship Capt. Bellon
Henry Rowland … Acosta
Runtime: 87 min.
Memorable lines:
El Tigre, of Princess Lucia: “She has a mind of her own. That might prove awkward for you, Montera.”
El Tigre, when objections are raised about cutting back the number of soldiers on their expedition to Monterey: “Try to convince the Indians you’re friendly with an army. I assumed you wished to deliver you queen with her scalp intact for the coronation.”
Princess Lucia, to El Tigre: “Do you expect me to arrive on the shores of Spain wearing the same dress in which I leave Sante Fe?”
El Tigre: “You’ve already filled half a wagon and five mules with your belongings.”
The Princess: “I refuse to travel like a kitchen maid.”
El Tigre: “And I refuse to believe you can’t understand the problem here better than a kitchen maid.”
El Tigre: “When beauty impresses me, I remind myself of the dangers that lurk behind it?”
Princess Lucia: “Indians?”
El Tigre: “Not only Indians, your highness.”
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