The Duel at Silver Creek (1952)

Marshal Tyrone and the Silver Kid form an uneasy alliance against a gang of claim jumpers.

Director:

Don Siegel

Writers:

Gerald Drayson Adams (story), Gerald Drayson Adams (screenplay),

Stars:

Audie Murphy, Faith Domergue, Stephen McNally

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Audie Murphy	...	Luke Cromwell - The Silver Kid
Faith Domergue	...	Opal Lacy
Stephen McNally	...	Marshal Lightning Tyrone
Susan Cabot	...	Jane 'Dusty' Fargo
Gerald Mohr	...	Rod Lacy
Eugene Iglesias	...	Johnny Sombrero
James Anderson	...	Rat Face Blake (as Kyle James)
Walter Sande	...	Pete Fargo
Lee Marvin	...	Tinhorn Burgess
George Eldredge	...	Jim Ryan - Bartender

Storyline

A gang of claim jumpers is infesting the territory, gaining ownership of undermanned mining operations through extortion...and leaving no live witnesses. But one victim, quick-drawing gambler Luke Cromwell, escapes. Meanwhille, Marshal Lightnin' Tyrone is also after the gang; recovering from one raid, he meets femme fatale Opal Lacy, who may not be healthy for him to know. When Luke, now calling himself the Silver Kid, joins forces with Marshal Tyrone, the gang had better watch out ...unless something drives a wedge between the new allies.

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Plot Keywords:

marshal | claim jumper | femme fatale | gambler | pursuit | 

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Claim Jumpers

Filming Locations:

Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When 'Pop' Muzik is shot, immediately as the dead body is shown, the hand is seen to be moving.

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Quotes

Marshal Lightning Tyrone: How about joining the posse, Johnny? It would give you a chance to use that shooting iron legal for a change.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Remembers Lee Marvin (2000)

User Reviews

Fun fast paced western pastiche, with colorful characters and brisk action

Don Siegel directed a delightful, fast paced, fun western, with tongue firmly in cheek. Audie Murphy isn't half bad as the poker-loving "Silver Kid", dressed in black leather. Featured are several unique characters like "Johnny Sombrero", who wears extravagant clothes, combs his hair up,and of course puts on a large sombrero. The script makes fun of all the western clichés, camping it up while moving the story briskly. Faith Domergue is alluringly devious and mean as the bad girl and love interest. Lee Marvin has a small but remarkable role, and sports a big mustache.

I like the way the straight hero is played for a fool until the end, and his poker playing sidekick gets all the action and glory. Siegel, as usual, excels with the action scenes, but this is not a thriller per say, more a fast paced action romp very similar in style to "The Big Steal", which Siegel directed before this film. I really enjoyed it.