Lust for Gold

Customer Reviews:

A great western movie.......2007-07-26

Anyone who lives in Arizona would love this flick, a great story about the Old West.

Dark, Unembridled Greed.......2006-12-04

A rather grim but extremely satisfying Western directed by S. Sylvan Simon, features Glenn Ford as Jacob "Dutch" Walz, a German who discovers "the richest goldmine in the world" in 19th century Arizona. Although not as well-known as other Columbia Westerns, it holds up very well, and is much more appreciated now than it was when it was released in 1949. Juliet Thomas (Ida Lupino) is the cold-hearted woman who pretends to admire Walz as a man, when in fact she just wants to know where his mine is located. She goes so far as to put him up in her home after he collapses in a drunken stupor on the porch of her bakery, and later lets him court her. She pretends to be German (even briefly speaking to him in his native tongue), and feigns ignorance and disinterest in his newfound status as a wealthy citizen. Her pursuit of Jacob only infuriates her estranged husband, Pete Thomas (Gig Young), who wants to be back on her good side (as well as her bed), and so they quietly conspire together to learn the location of his mine and rob Jacob of his fortune. But he is soon onto them and it ends on an interesting showdown on Superstition Mountain.

Despite its serious tone, the film has some light-hearted moments, never more wonderfully presented as Juliet shows Jacob her family album and he comes across a photograph of her as an "au natural" baby, or the moment after Jacob hands off the cookies he bought from Juliet's shop to a young boy, who collapses under the weight of two massive baskets full! And Lupino shows her independent mind and capabilities in this unsympathetic role, while Gig Young's scoundrel manages to gain a little sympathy as the ignored husband. But Ford, who rarely played villainous roles, really brings uncompromising realism as a greedy, self-serving, ill-tempered man (the scene involving the little girl and him allowing her to "play" with his shotgun is a classic example of this). His attempt at a German accent falters in some sequences, but this does not deter from his performance.

This aspect of the movie is actually shown in flashback, the opening being of Jacob's grandson Barry Storm (William Prince) trying to find the mine and solve the mystery of the many puzzling, tragic deaths of those who have attempted to discover it. Fans of the Lone Ranger television series will enjoy the early, uncredited appearance of Jay Silverheels as a deputy.

Now I know why greed is among the seven most deadly sins!

The DVD features a few theatrical trailers.

A Search For The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, With Murder And Greed Along The Way.......2005-12-13

This forgotten gem is an A movie trying to break out of a B movie's conventions. Even as a B movie, if it had been directed by Edgar Ulmer many people would be raving over it. But it was directed by a man named S. Sylvan Simon who died of a heart attack in his forties. This was his last movie, and it has been forgotten just about as thoroughly as he has.

It's the story of the Lost Dutchman Mine, a rich gold mine lost, then discovered again, and then apparently lost forever. It's the story of Jacob "Dutch" Walz (Glenn Ford), a German immigrant in 1880 who, with a partner, tracks two men to the mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. When the men find it, Walz and his partner shoot them down. Then Walz cooly turns his rifle on his partner. It's also the present day story of Walz' grandson, Barry Storm (William Prince), who is searching for the mine again. A generation and a half ago his grandfather disappeared, taking the secret of the mine with him. Storm is determined to find the place, but a killer has been murdering prospectors who have gotten too close to where the mine might be.

The movie is oddly constructed but still works well. Three quarters of the time is a flashback to Jacob Walz, his search for the mine and his entanglement with Julia Thomas (Ida Lupino), a woman as ruthless as he, and her husband, Pete (Gig Young), a jealous and weak man. Bracketing this story is Barry Storm. At first, Storm is following a man who is confident he knows where the Lost Dutchman is located. A rifle shot ends that search and Storm is left with a dead body to explain to the sheriff (Paul Ford) and the sheriff's deputy (Will Geer). At the end of Walz' story we move back to Storm. Now, the killer is tracking him. In a nice twist, the killer is probably not who you'll immediately suspect.

Glenn Ford does a nice job as the grim, mean Jacob Walz. When he thinks Julia may actually love him, he's shy and a little tongue-tied. When he realizes she was using him...well, let's say he gets his own back with her and her husband after he's tricked them into the Superstition Mountains. This is an unusual role to take on for a young and increasingly popular lead actor. After he was established as a major star, Ford didn't often play ruthless bad guys. With this role, he proved he could whenever he wanted to.

Ida Lupino does a great job as the in-it-for-me Julia Thomas. She looks just fine when she's luring Jacob into her web. Later, she's not afraid to look dirty and bedraggled after she's been without water for a couple of days, had to scramble over rocks, been shot at and tossed in the dirt.

The black and white DVD picture is in very good condition. There are no extras.

Great mystery Western.......2005-04-16

In a way LUST FOR GOLD is a "mystery" Western that doesn't lose its real interest after you understand (sort of) the mystery and understand the story. And that says a lot about its lasting attraction and why I am delighted to see it on DVD. The stark but beautiful B&W print lends atmosphere to the "search" for lost treasure, and even the name of the mountain range where the Spanish gold was mysteriously buried, Superstition Mountain, adds to the ambience. This is a truly entertaining oater that will entertain the entire family or friends. Recommended highly.

Average customer rating:

A GREAT 50s Western
"The King of Serials & B-Westerns...VCI Entertainment ~ The Tall Texan (1953)"

The Tall Texan
Starring: Lloyd Bridges , Lee J. Cobb , Marie Windsor , Luther Adler , and Syd Saylor
Director: Elmo Williams
Manufacturer: Vci Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000CMNJJK
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Description

Groups of desperate travelers journey together throughout the Southwest soon find trouble when they all get gold fever. The action and drama are heightened when they discover gold...on an Indian burial ground! Bonus Features: Original theatrical trailer| Behind the scenes photo shoot| Video booklet "The Making of The Tall Texan" by Elmo Williams| Audio reminiscences by Ross May, horse wrangler for The Tall Texan| Chapter 1 of "Secret Agent X-9." Specs: DVD9; Dolby Digital Mono; 82 minutes; B&W; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1953; SRP - $14.99.

Customer Reviews:

A GREAT 50s Western.......2006-07-23

After over fifty years this little western still holds up very well. Director Elmo Williams put together a great cast with Bridges, Cobb, Windsor and the wonderfully hateful Luther Adler, in a tale of gold, Indians, and rugged action. The final scene, with Bridges fending off Indians as he claws his way through the rocks is classic. If you liked "High Noon" "Treasure of Sierra Madre" or "Stagecoach" this one is for you!

"The King of Serials & B-Westerns...VCI Entertainment ~ The Tall Texan (1953)".......2006-01-15

VCI Entertainment presents "The Tall Texan" (1953) (Dolby digitally remastered)...an Lippert Pictures production featuring Lloyd Bridges, Lee J. Cobb, Marie Windsor, Syd Saylor and Luther Adler...story line has the star of this drama Lloyd Bridges a convicted murderer is being transported to prison...on the coach is Marie Windsor, Syd Saylor, Samuel Herrick who is bringing in Lloyd Bridges to the state prison...along the way they meet up with Luther Adler who is up to no good and not a very nice person...a lone indian brings gold to the camp and they're off to a rich vein in Indian Territory...will greed and danger tempt this group of misfits...the big strike of gold is on an Indian burial ground...can Bridges and his little band of gold seekers control themselves and not go past the safety markings.....don't leave the theater just yet, this drama is headed for dangerous times with gold and a dedicated Indian tribe watching this group of outsiders ...Bridges and this small cast make it work and you're drawn completely into the film.

Under director Elmo Williams, producer Robert L. Lippert Jr, screenplay by Samuel Roeca, additional dialogue by Elizabeth Reinhardt, music composed by Bert Shefter, stunts by Calvin Spencer (stunt double for Lloyd Bridges)...the cast include Lloyd Bridges (Ben Trask), Lee J. Cobb (Captain Theodore Bess), Marie Windsor (Laura Thompson), Luther Adler (Josh Tinnen), Syd Saylor (Carney), Samuel Herrick (Sheriff Chadborune), George Steele (Jaqui), Dean Train (Jerome Niblett)...............special footnote, actor Lloyd Bridges made the transition from movies to TV by starring in "Sea Hunt" (1958), one of the more successful syndicated shows during that era, on the big screen "High Noon" (1952 - as Deputy Marshal Harvey Pell), "Airplane" (1980 - as Steven McCrosky) and "Hot Shots!" (1991 - as Adm. Thomas 'Tug' Benson), Lloyd Bridges sons Beau and Jeff Bridges went on to leave their mark in the world of films........there is a great deal of entertainment here for "B-Western" fans out there...all courtesy of VCI Entertainment, who in my humble opinion is the best there is in restoring early serials and features like this one.

BIOS:
1. Lloyd Bridges (Lloyd Vernet Bridges)
Birth Date: 1/12/1913 - San Leandro, CA
Died: 3/10/1998 - Los Angeles, CA
2. Lee J. Cobb
Birth Date: 12/08/1911 - New York, New York
Died: 2/11/1976 - Hollywood, CA
3. Marie Windsor
Birth Date: 12/11/1919 - Marysvale, Utah
Died: 12/10/2000 - Beverly Hills, CA
4. Luther Adler
Birth Date: 5/04/1903 - New York, New York
Died: 12/08/1984 - Kutztown, PA.
5. Elmo Williams (Director)
Birth Date: 4/30/1913 - Oklahoma City, OK
Died: not shown

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. Behind the Scenes photo shoot booklet "The Making of 'The Tall Texan' by Elmo Williams
3. Audio Reminiscences by Ross May, Horse Wrangler for "The Tall Texan"
4. Chapter One from "Secret Agent X-9" (1945)

Own them now on DVD....if you crave action, drama and plenty of adventure then this is the place for all of the above...if you enjoyed this feature check out another as VCI Entertainment presents "Tennessee Partner" (1955) (Dolby digitally remastered), featuring John Payne, Ronald Reagan and Rhonda Fleming is based on a Bret Harte writings as our story takes place in a gold mining town in California where gambler John Payne finds it easier to take money at the poker table than digging for gold...a stranger riding into town played by Ronald Reagan saves Payne...Reagan known as Cowpoke becomes Tennessee's partner....but the place is full of rough characters....the story lines are excellent with outstanding action scenes and production with over an hours worth of entertainment

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing the "The Tall Texan" (1953), digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the '50s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again with a top notch Westerns from VCI...so saddle up and get ready for some hard riding and adventure that only VCI Entertainment (King of the Serials) can deliver...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 82 mins on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment KPF-539 ~ (1/17/2006)

DVD:

DVD

DVD