The Bandit Queen (film)
1950 film by William A. Berke From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bandit Queen is a 1950 American black-and-white Western film directed by William Berke.[1] and starring Barbara Britton and Phillip Reed as two Robin Hood-type bandits.[1][2][3]
| Bandit Queen | |
|---|---|
The Bandit Queen with her avenging bullwhip | |
| Directed by | William Berke |
| Written by | Orville H. Hampton (additional dialogue) |
| Screenplay by | Victor West Budd Lesser |
| Story by | Victor West |
| Produced by | William Berke executive Robert L. Lippert Murray Lerner |
| Starring | Barbara Britton Willard Parker Phillip Reed |
| Cinematography | Ernest Miller (as Ernest W. Miller) |
| Edited by | Carl Pierson |
| Music by | Albert Glasser |
Production company | Lippert Pictures |
| Distributed by | Lippert Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Set near Madera, California during the California Gold Rush, the film includes a fictional depiction of legendary bandit Joaquin Murrieta (Reed).[4]
Plot
Zara Montalvo, daughter of an American father and Spanish mother, Don Jose and Zara Montalvo, returns to California from abroad and witnesses their murder at the hands of a gang. On the advice of Father Antonio, she approaches Sheriff Jim Harden for help, but recognizes him as one of the murderers. She takes on the alias of "Lola Belmont" and teams up with Joaquin Murietta, who is going by the name "Carlos del Rio".
Dan Hinsdale, an attorney, later informs Zara of his purchase of her family's rancho at a reduced fee because of back taxes owed by Zara's parents. Father Antonio warns Zara that her outlaw gang is wanted by the Spanish authority and its soldiers. Upon learning this, "Belmont" and "del Rio" secretly work to regain stolen gold and land rights on the behalf of other neighboring rancheros.
Cast
- Barbara Britton as Zara Montalvo aka Lola Belmont
- Willard Parker as Dan Hinsdale
- Phillip Reed as Joaquin Murietta
- Barton MacLane as Jim Harden
- Martin Garralaga as Father Antonio
- Victor Kilian as Jose Montalvo
- Thurston Hall as Governor
- Angelo Rossitto as Nino (as Angie)
- Anna Demetrio as Maria
- Paul Marion as Manuel
- Mikel Conrad as Captain Gray (as Mike Conard)
- Margia Dean as Carol Grayson
- Minna Phillips as Mrs. Grayson
- John Merton as Hank
Production
Britton was coached for the film by Marcella Cresney.[5] The film's sets were designed by the art director Vin Taylor.
Bandit Queen was produced by Lippert Pictures[6] and shot in the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park[1] as well as the San Fernando Valley.[7] Martha Vickers was initially slated to "play a two-gun gal of the West in her come-back picture" in this movie.[8] This film was the final release from Lippert Studios in 1950.[9]
Reception
Critical
Bandit Queen received the following reviews:
"Bandit Queen" a pistol-packin (sic) mama story at the New Albert.
- The Baltimore Afro-American, April 21, 1951.[10]
In old California, a beauty makes like a female Robin Hood to help her countrymen against tax collectors.
- The Modesto Bee, February 8, 1959.[11]
An adventure tale of old California the picture moves at a terrific pace with plenty of thrilling action. Filmed in the picturesque San Fernando Valley, it has Miss Britton cast as the daughter of a rich Spanish landowner who meets his death at the hands of greedy politicians.
- Southeast Missourian, March 22, 1951.[7]
She sought revenge with A GUN. . .A WHIP. . .A KISS!
"BANDIT QUEEN"
starring
BARBARA BRITTON
WILLIARD PARKER
PHILLIP REED
- Times-News (Hendersonville, North Carolina), January 29, 1951.[12]
See also
References
External links
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