Wyoming Mail (1950)

In 1869, the United States begins a railroad mail service to the West Coast which proves highly tempting to train robbers, in particular an organized gang with one of the mail's supposed ... See full summary »

Director:

Reginald Le Borg

Writers:

Harry Essex (screenplay), Leonard Lee (screenplay),

Stars:

Stephen McNally, Alexis Smith, Howard Da Silva

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen McNally	...	Steve Davis
Alexis Smith	...	Mary Williams
Howard Da Silva	...	Cavanaugh (as Howard da Silva)
Ed Begley	...	Haynes
Dan Riss	...	George Armstrong
Roy Roberts	...	Charles De Haven
Armando Silvestre	...	Indian Joe
Whit Bissell	...	Sam
James Arness	...	Russell
Richard Jaeckel	...	Nate
Frankie Darro	...	Rufe
Felipe Turich	...	Pete
Richard Egan	...	Beale (as Richard Eagan)
Gene Evans	...	Shep
Frank Fenton	...	Gilson

Storyline

In 1869, the United States begins a railroad mail service to the West Coast which proves highly tempting to train robbers, in particular an organized gang with one of the mail's supposed guardians in their pay. Prizefighter Steve Davis, a former army intelligence man, is hired to track down the gang and save the Territorial Mail Service. Steve goes undercover in territorial prison, leans Morse Code from a fellow prisoner, breaks jail, infiltrates the gang...and finds time to romance dance-hall singer Mary, who proves to have hidden depths...

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Taglines:

THE TRAIN ROBBERY THAT SHOOK THE WEST! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Ferro e a Fogo

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Davis buys a drink at the Railroad Club, then takes his drink to a table across the room. In subsequent shots the drink is still on the bar, then disappears.

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Soundtracks

"TAKE ME TO TOWN"
Music by Lester Lee
Lyrics by Dan Shapiro
Sung and danced by chorus girls

User Reviews

Nice Mix

Pretty good Western that gets better as it goes along. Railroad agent Steve Davis (McNally) goes undercover to catch an elaborate gang of train robbers. Along the way, he meets lovely songstress Mary Williams (Smith), but much worse, has to go to prison to establish his outlaw cover. The gang, it turns out, has respectable confederates but we can't be sure who they are.

There're several good surprises, plus some nice touches from director LeBorg— e. g. a wounded Indian Joe trying to hook on the train, the final scene that hits the right notes, a frantic outlaw (Jaeckle) atop an exploding baggage car. Also, that rock formation of the gang's hideout is impressive as heck, with its spindly ladders to the caves at the top. Then there's a splash or two of great blue sky scenery.

The supporting cast is also notable—Begley, DaSilva, Evans and Jaeckle, plus a young, curly-haired James Arness and-- look quickly—Richard Egan as a prison guard. Universal Studio did a number of these Technicolor Westerns at the time, using solid performers and location filming. None that I've seen reach the first rank, but do remain solid entertainment for horse opera fans, including this one.