Rod Cameron is Carl Miller, a civilian working for the Southern cause at the outbreak of the Civil War.
His job: Drive a herd of beef to supply Rebel troops. But the herd is ambushed and Miller taken captive while his second-in-command, Lt. Brian Culver (Forrest Tucker) flees the scene.
Once he’s released from prison at the end of the war, Miller vows to get even with Culver, who’s traveled south of the border with a band of former Rebel soldier to take part in the revolution in Mexico.
And it’s not just a matter of desertion during the war; Miller learns that Culver was responsible for his father’s death.
Then comes news that Culver and his band have been taken captive by an old friend, Chino Figuero. The ransom for their release is 500 cattle; otherwise they’ll be put to death.
So Miller heads out on a new cattle drive. He plans to free 49 Texans; he plans to kill one — the former Lt. Brian Culver.
Along for the ride are Mistania Figueroa, Chino’s sister, who is in love with Miller and has patiently waited for his return from the Civil War, and Julia Allerby (Arleen Whelan), who’ll love any man who can restore the comfortable life she enjoyed before the war.
Rod Cameron as Carl Miller, deciding to sacrifice a herd to save the lives of 49 Texans in San Antone (1953)
Forrest Tucker as Lt. Brian Culver, the Confederate officer who becomes Carl Miller’s enemy in San Antone (1953)
Review:
There’s just no spark in this tedious Western, even if the five lead characters are embroiled in all sorts of personal wars.
Chino is nearly hung because of Julia’s flirting, so he’d like to get even with her and Culver, her fiance at the time. Culver wants to kill Miller for disrespecting Julia. Miller wants to kill Culver because he blames the former Rebel officer for his dad’s death. Mistania would like to see Julia out of the picture one way or the other out of jealousy.
The only thing unique about the film is the character of Julia Allerby. She’s as spoiled and conniving and manipulative as a female comes and accustomed to using her feminine charms to get her way. She tries using them on Miller, several times, leading to a prolonged knife-wielding catfight between she and Mistania at one point.
But even the character of Julia is a bit too over the top to be wholly effective. As for Tucker, he might be third billed, but he disappears for much of the film. Harry Carey Jr. plays one of Miller’s hands.
Arleen Whelan as Julia Allerby, a spoiled southern belle and skilled user of men in San Antone (1953)
Katy Jurado as Mistania Figueroa, in love with Carl Miller, but afraid of losing him to Julia in San Antone (1953)
Directed by:
Joseph Kane
Cast:
Rod Cameron … Carl Miller
Arleen Whelan … Julia Allerby
Forrest Tucker … Lt. Brian Culver
Katy Jurado … Mistania Figueroa
Rodolfo Acosta … Chino Figueroa
Roy Roberts … John Chisum
Bob Steele … Bob Coolidge
Harry Carey Jr. … Dobe Frakus
James O’Hara .. Jim Dane
Andy Brennan … Ike
Richard Hale … Abraham Lincoln
Argentina Brunetti … Mexican woman
Douglas Kennedy … Capt. Garfield
Paul Fierro … Bandit leader
George Cleveland … Col. Allerby
Runtime: 90 min.
Rodolfo Acosta as Chino Figueroa, the Mexican who falls for Julia Allerby and nearly loses his life as a result in San Antone (1953)
James O’Hara as Jim Dane, Bob Steele as Bob Coolidge and Harry Carey Jr. as Dobe Frakus, three of Miller’s cowhands in San Antone (1953)
Memorable lines:
Col. Allerby to his daughter: “Julia, since your mother died you’ve run the plantation, the servants, your own life and mine. If you want to marry Brian, don’t pretend you have to ask me.”
Lt. Brian Culver: “This man insulted Julia.”
Carl Miller: “It isn’t possible to insult Julia.”
Lt. Culver: “Be careful, Carl. Julia and I are engaged to be married.”
Miller: “Then I’m sorry for you.”
Lt. Culver: “Julia told me you slapped her.”
Carl Miller: “She also tell you you’re supposed to kill me?”
Lt. Culver: “I will. Just as soon as this war is over.”
Mistania Figuero to Carl Miller about Julia: “If a snake wants to sleep close to her, let it. Is it not natural for one snake to look for another?”
Julia Allerby: “Carl, I’m in love with you.”
Carl Miller: “When did you find that out?”
Julia: “The night you slapped me. I need someone strong who will discipline me.”
Chino Figueroa to Julia: “I was in love with you. You made me fall in love with you. And the price of a kiss was a rope around my neck.”
Bob Steele as Bob Coolidge, knowing a dead revolutionary means trouble for the cattle drive in San Antone (1953)
Roy Roberts as John Chisum, the man who gives Carl Miller a fresh start in the cattle business in San Antone (1953)
George Cleveland as Col. Atterby, a father well aware of his daughter’s manipulating ways in San Antone (1953)
Katy Jurado as Mistania Figueroa and Rod Cameron as Carl Miller, on a dangerous journey in San Antone (1953)
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