The Steel Lady (1953)

Cameron finds a tank buried in the Arabian desert during WWII, and proceeds to attack the arabs with it.

Director:

Ewald André Dupont

Writers:

Richard Schayer (screenplay), Aubrey Wisberg (story)

Stars:

Rod Cameron, Tab Hunter, John Dehner

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rod Cameron	...	Mike Monahan
Tab Hunter	...	Bill Larson
John Dehner	...	Sid Barlowe
Richard Erdman	...	Jim Evans
John Abbott	...	Mustafa el Melik
Frank Puglia	...	Sheik Taras
Anthony Caruso	...	Zagora
Christopher Dark	...	Ibrahim
Dick Rich	...	Gus Sanderson
Charles Victor	...	Sanderson's Radio Man
Carmen D'Antonio	...	Dancing Girl (as Carmen d'Antonio)

Storyline

Surviving a plane crash in the Sahara, four oilmen find and manage to repair a German Afrika Corps tank which had been buried in the sand since WWII. Heading toward a French Foreign Legion outpost, they encounter a nomadic Arab tribe who believe the oilmen have found the treasure of Calipha, a rival Arab leader. If trying to acquire the jewels by guile doesn't work, the Arabs are prepared to kill the oilmen to get the stolen treasure.

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Plot Keywords:

tank | jewel | desert | oil | stranded

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spur in der Wüste

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward Small Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Good action movie

I watched it on black and white TV in the late 50s or early 60s in Minnesota. My dad, brother, and I sat glued to our seats munching homemade popcorn during the whole thing.

The closest thing I've seen to it lately is: "Flight of the Phoenix". Steel lady was far more believable. The old plane, old tank, and action were great. It was a real rush for a collector of old military stuff and old car nut. There is a shot of an ART-13 radio transmitter in the back of the cockpit before the crash.

As to the possibility of getting a tank running after being burried for decades, the Confederate Air Force, and others have flown B-29s and a B-47 out of china lake NWC that had been sitting in the desert just as long. Usually an oil change, gassing up, a fresh battery, and repairing vandalism was all it took to get them back in the air. Most tanks used 28 volt (nominally 24 VDC) batteries, as did the planes. Oil and avgas from the plane would work for the tank. It would not take a rocket scientist to get a tank going in a day or so. Much more credible than the redesign and remanufacture shown in "Flight of the Phoenix". I like both movies, but give the Steel Lady a higher mark for technical correctness.

I would surely like to get a copy on tape or DVD to relive a pleasant sunday afternoon of my salad years.

Larry Backer