Producer: Bryan Foy. Copyright 17 December 1952 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. No New York opening. U.S. release: 6 December 1952. U.K. release on the lower half a double bill: 18 May 1953. Australian release: 22 May 1953. Sydney opening at the Civic (ran one week), 6,341 feet. 70 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A carpetbagger attempts to evict squatters and illegally seize their cattle in post-Civil War Texas.
COMMENT: Thanks to the copious use of easily recognizable stock footage from Dodge City, San Antonio and other "A"-grade Warner westerns of the past, this "B"-grade effort from budget-conscious producer, Bryan Foy, looks very good indeed.
It's also helped by a fairly sizable (for a "B") budget of its own, with lots of location lensing, hard riding (with running inserts yet), good matching sets and photography, and a solid cast headed by singing hero, Dennis Morgan. Behind the 8 Ball's O'Hanlon makes a great comic offsider, whilst Ray Teal and Bob Wilke make as fine a pair of villains as you could wish for.
On the distaff side, Miss Blake is a winning heroine. Miss Moreno though has little to do!
And why Phil Carey receives second billing for his small role is a real mystery.
The script has been cleverly and ingeniously plotted to slot in as much action and spectacular footage as possible without sacrificing continuity or consistency.
Dennis Morgan's vocal talents have not been neglected either. These also are deftly integrated into the script, including even a waltz war which actually starts off the Dodge City saloon brawl.
Technical credits, including Noel Smith's pacey direction and Ted McCord's moody photography, are excellent. Art director Stanley Fleischer also deserves a special pat on the back for sets that match the stock footage decors so perfectly, audiences won't know where Fleischer ends and Ted Smith starts.
SYNOPSIS: A carpetbagger attempts to evict squatters and illegally seize their cattle in post-Civil War Texas.
COMMENT: Thanks to the copious use of easily recognizable stock footage from Dodge City, San Antonio and other "A"-grade Warner westerns of the past, this "B"-grade effort from budget-conscious producer, Bryan Foy, looks very good indeed.
It's also helped by a fairly sizable (for a "B") budget of its own, with lots of location lensing, hard riding (with running inserts yet), good matching sets and photography, and a solid cast headed by singing hero, Dennis Morgan. Behind the 8 Ball's O'Hanlon makes a great comic offsider, whilst Ray Teal and Bob Wilke make as fine a pair of villains as you could wish for.
On the distaff side, Miss Blake is a winning heroine. Miss Moreno though has little to do!
And why Phil Carey receives second billing for his small role is a real mystery.
The script has been cleverly and ingeniously plotted to slot in as much action and spectacular footage as possible without sacrificing continuity or consistency.
Dennis Morgan's vocal talents have not been neglected either. These also are deftly integrated into the script, including even a waltz war which actually starts off the Dodge City saloon brawl.
Technical credits, including Noel Smith's pacey direction and Ted McCord's moody photography, are excellent. Art director Stanley Fleischer also deserves a special pat on the back for sets that match the stock footage decors so perfectly, audiences won't know where Fleischer ends and Ted Smith starts.