The Secret of Convict lake(1951).

The Secret of Convict Lake (1951). Black-and-white western film. Director: Michael Gordon Produced: Frank P. Rosenberg and music by Sol Kaplan. The film was a critical and commercial success for Ford and Tierney.

Unusual Western with a wonderful atmosphere with the black-and-white cinematography of the snowy setting. A group of five escaped convicts led by Glenn Ford and Zachary Scott, travel with the law not far behind, through the mountains during a snow storm. The convicts find a small town populated only with women, who have learned to defend themselves from outsiders.. The women agree to let the convicts stay in town, under armed guard, until the storm is over and then they must leave. The men agree but the trouble begins when they learn that one of the convicts may have left a lot of money in the area. The women guard the men at gun point and wait for the town's men to return. The barn is accidentally set on fire and the men jump in and help put out the fire, which breaks down the barrier if only for a few short moments. Canfield finds Marcia, where she pleads with him not to kill Rudy because he has been so kind to her. Canfield confesses that he did kill Morgan,(the real embezzler who he took the rap for)in self-defense, he did not steal his money or kill him in cold blood, as Rudy had testified. Canfield then wonders if Marcia is marrying Rudy out of gratitude rather than love, and unable to deny their attraction, they kiss. Marcia then asks Canfield not to kill Rudy, for her sake as well as his, but Canfield believes that it is too late.

The film tells a fictional history of the real-life location, Convict Lake.

Two other important female roles are those of Ann Dvorak as Tierney's prospective sister-in-law and Ethel Barrymore as, the matriarch of the settlement.

The finale is wonderful, the posse arriving on the scene just as the townsfolk are holding services over five graves... are they all the fugitives ?

I thought the film was very well-acted. Also I thought a very under-appreciated film, which reminded me of the western classics: THE OX-BOW INCIDENT (1943) and YELLOW SKY (1948).

BELLE STARR (1941)

Belle Starr (1941). Director: Irving Cummings. Based on the life of outlaw Belle Starr. Cast: Gene Tierney, Randolph Scott and Dana Andrews.

After her family's mansion is burned down by Yankee soldiers for hiding Captain Sam Starr, Belle Shirley promises to take revenge. Breaking Starr out of prison, she joins his group who make plans to attack banks and railroads and enemy troops. Belle and Sam are married and trouble begins when Sam lets a couple of ruthless rebels into the gang.

I remember seeing this film many years ago and fell in love with it. I have always liked civil war films. Gene Tierney is beautiful as always, but..did not care much for her southern accent throughout the film. Randolph Scott is wonderful as captain Sam Starr. I do not want to give the ending away.. Good performances at end.

FUN FACT:

Originally, Alice Faye was to play the title role.

THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES (1940)

The Return of Frank James (1940). Western. Director: Fritz Lang. Cast: Henry Fonda and Gene Tierney. It is a sequel to Henry King's (1939) Jesse James. Written by Sam Hellman. The film is considered to be historically inaccurate, but was a commercial success.

After the Minnesota robbery, several members of their gang are killed, the James brothers decide to split up and Frank travels on to Missouri. Frank changes his to name Ben Woodsen, and becomes a farmer with his friends, Pinky and Clem. It is not long, when Frank hears that his brother Jesse has been shot in the back by one of the Ford brothers, who has been sentenced to hang for their crime. Frank decides it is better to let the law deal with the Fords until he reads that they have been pardoned and awarded money. Wanting them to pay for the murder of his brother, Frank goes looking for the Fords, who have headed West. Frank needing money robs the railroad express office, saying that it was the railroad who killed his brother. Things start to get complicated when Clem insists that he join Frank. In the gunfight, the watchman is killed and Frank is accused of the murder. McCoy, the head of the railroad, offers a reward for Frank, and his gang. George, follows the gang West, knowing that Frank will be hot on their trail. After reaching Denver, Frank and Clem come up with the story of Frank's death, which is picked up by newspaper reporter Eleanor Stone and printed in her father's paper. Eventually, Frank learns that his friend, Pinky has been arrested and is about to be hung. Frank, now has to decide what is more important getting the Fords or helping Pinky.

I think my favorite part of the film were the courtroom scenes, where Frank is being judged, by a very partial jury.

FUN FACTS:

The studio changed the facts for entertainment. Frank surrendered 6 months after Jesse James' murder, both Ford brothers were already dead and Frank had nothing to do with their deaths.

The original script had Frank romantically involved with the reporter played by Gene Tierney, but the studio was worried of a possible lawsuit by Frank's widow and/or son, so it was eliminated from the script.

Film debut of Gene Tierney.
MOVIE CLIP- THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES.