Gunfire at Indian Gap (1957)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Joseph Kane

Writer:

Barry Shipman (written by)

Release Date:

13 December 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Western

Tagline:

A Thrilling and Romantic Story of the Great West! (original poster)

Plot Keywords:

Crook | Crime Confession | B Movie | Marriage | Lust

Cast

Vera Ralston	...	Cheel
Anthony George	...	Juan Morales
George Macready	...	Pike / Mr. Jefferson
Barry Kelley	...	Sheriff Daniel Harris
John Doucette	...	Leder
George Keymas	...	Scully
Chubby Johnson	...	Samuel
Glenn Strange	...	Matt
Dan White	...	Moran
Steve Warren	...	Ed Stewart
Chuck Hicks	...	Deputy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sarah Selby	...	Mrs. Moran

Runtime:

70 min | Germany:69 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved | Finland:K-16 | West Germany:12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company:

Ventura Pictures Corporation

Vera gets her brother a job.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

At the Eldorado Relay Station of the Arizona Stageline Company, the stages from the north and the south are awaited by station agent Moran (Dan White as Daniel White), his wife (Sarah Selby), and their worker, Cheel (Vera Ralston.) Aboard the north-bound stage, which carries a money shipment, are stage driver Bill (Joe Yrigoyen), stage guard Ed Stewart (Steve Warren), passenger Jefferson, alias Pike (George Macready), and, hidden by a canvas atop the stage, Sheriff Daniel Harris (Barry Kelley.)Three outlaws attack the stage, the sheriff kills one of them but Scully (George Keymas) and Loder (John Doucette)escape after wounding Stewart.

Meanwhile, the horse of Juan Morales (Anthony George)breaks a leg, and Juan (a la The Ringo Kid in STAGECOACH but this guy ain't no Ringo Kid) hitches a ride on the "Safe" south-bound stage to the relay station, where Pike is removing a bullet from Stewart.

Juan helps Cheel with her chores, but Sheriff Harris makes it clear that he suspects Juan of being one of the hold-up men and, with the chores all done, Juan lights out for Mexico and Cheel goes with him. She is unaware that Pike has revealed himself to Juan as head of the gang, and has forced him to take the money, planning to meet him later at Indian Gap Pass. Juan is better at chores than he is at thinking.

Camping for the night, Cheel learns that Juan has the money but as he lamely explains that he intends to return it---so, why take it to begin with?---the pair are captured by Pike's henchies Scully and Loder. Pike arrives. Pike divides the money among Juan, Scully, Loder and himself. Now, Cheel is really confused. Loder makes a play for Cheel. Juan (HE would need help) and Pike drive him off. Scully agrees to help Loder bushwhack Pike, but Pike traps Scully and leaves him to die, splitting Scully's money with Juan, who is, unintentionally he tells Cheel, getting richer by the frame.

Juan and Cheel search for firewood, as Juan is a whiz at chores and light camp-keeping. Loder shoots Pike in the back. Loder again goes after Cheel. Handy-man Juan protests (mildly). The wounded Pike kills Loder. Pike splits Loder's money with Juan. Juan's stack grows even larger. (Cheel is beginning to suspect that Pike and Juan may have something going on she doesn't know about. Cheel ain't no prize in the smarts-department, either.) The next morning, Pike tells Juan they are leaving Cheel behind which, based on what she is dimly beginning to suspect about Pike and Juan, comes as no surprise to Cheel. Juan objects as that would leave no one to help him with his chores. Pike, as the brains-leader of the gang, don't do no chores.

Sheriff Harris and his posse are drawn to the scene by the sound of GUNFIRE AT Indian GAP. Juan claims he shot Pike, but our money is on Cheel.

A real rarity in that it is the only American-produced western that actually makes Spaghetti westerns look good by comparison. One of those Pasta westerns would have had Loder killing Pike, Scully and Juan, ravishing Cheel for a couple of days, and then heading, alone, for Mexico with ALL the money, while some kind of whoomp-pah, high-pitched, spaced-out zither provided THE END music.