Richard Conte is Jan Morrell, who’s been toiling in his California mine and has nearly enough gold to buy he and his wife the farm they’ve always dreamed of.
But the Sierra Land Corp. headed by Thomas Ainsworth (Morris Ankrum), has been gobbling up every profitable mine in the area, by legitimate or illegal means.
In Morrell’s case, Ainsworth’s henchmen kill his wife and her brother in seizing the deed to his mine.
He vows vengeance against everyone responsible and winds up teaming up with other miners who have been done wrong by Ainsworth’s scheming.
They decide the best recourse is to hit Ainsworth where it hurts the most, in the pocketbook. And if that means resorting to stealing his gold shipments … well, they figure it should be their gold anyway.
But going outlaw, regardless of the reason, threatens a blossoming new romance between Morrell and Elena de Ortega (Viveca Lindfors), sister of one of the other miners.
Meanwhile, Ainsworth’s pretty daughter Elizabeth (Barbara Britton) is balking at his shenanigans, which include trying to keep California out of the union. And she finds herself sympathizing with Morrell.
Review:
An action-packed Western that falls flat under way too many implausible plot devices.
Ainsworth’s henchman just happen to be hanging outside the Morrells’ window to hear them talking about the gold on their land?
The other cheated miners take one look at Morrell and decide he’s the man they need on their side to take on Ainsworth?
And perhaps most head-scratching of all: Hank Purvis (Hugh O’Brian), one of Ainsworth’s men, waits until he’s nearly free of the ropes holding him captive to blurt out the names of the other individuals responsible for the death of Morrell’s wife?
Then there’s the equally contrived ending.
Directed by:
Lesley Selander
Cast:
Richard Conte … Jan Morrell
Viveca Lindfors … Elena de Ortega
Barbara Britton … Elizabeth Ainsworth
Morris Ankrum … Alcaide Thomas Ainsworth
Richard Martin … Felipe de Ortega
Gregg Palmer … Marty Smith
as Palmer Lee
William Bishop … Marshal William Henderson
Hugh O’Brian … Hank Purvis
John Kellogg … Jack Welch
Frank Wilcox … Sam Sterling
Virginia Mullen … Abby Cummings
Margaret Field … Mary Morrell
William Reynolds … Frank Morrell
Carlos Rivera … Ramon Castillo
I. Stanford Jolley … Mountain Jim Ferris
Neyle Morrow … Juan Castillo
Francis McDonald … John Cummings
George J. Lewis … Vicente
Runtime: 80 min.
Memorable lines:
Marty Smith: “Is he working for Ainsworth?”
Store owner: “Yeah. He’s going to ride guard tomorrow when the Alcaide’s daughter goes to Monterey. Ainsworth’s keeps close tabs on his belongings.”
Smith: “He should.”
Jan Morrell: “You must have many admirers.”
Elizabeth Ainsworth: “None I take very seriously.”
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