Copper Canyon (1950)

Johnny Carter, performing sharpshooter, is asked to help a beleaguered group of copper miners.

Director:

John Farrow

Writers:

Richard English (story), Jonathan Latimer

Stars:

Ray Milland, Hedy Lamarr, Macdonald Carey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Milland	...	Johnny Carter
Hedy Lamarr	...	Lisa Roselle
Macdonald Carey	...	Deputy Lane Travis
Mona Freeman	...	Caroline Desmond
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Lt. Ord
Frank Faylen	...	Mullins
Hope Emerson	...	Ma Tarbet
Taylor Holmes	...	Theodosius Roberts
Peggy Knudsen	...	Cora
James Burke	...	Jeb Bassett
Percy Helton	...	'Scamper' Joad
Philip Van Zandt	...	Sheriff Wattling (as Philip van Zandt)
Francis Pierlot	...	Moss Balfour
Ernö Verebes	...	Professor
Paul Lees	...	Bat Laverne

Storyline

A group of copper miners, Southern veterans, are terrorized by local rebel-haters, led by deputy Lane Travis. The miners ask stage sharpshooter Johnny Carter to help them, under the impression that he is the legendary Colonel Desmond. It seems they're wrong; but Johnny's show comes to Coppertown and Johnny romances lovely gambler Lisa Roselle, whom the miners believe is at the center of their troubles.

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Plot Keywords:

arizona territory | mesa arizona | copper canyon | canyon roadway | canyon walls | 

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Taglines:

The story of the Old West's valley of violence !

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 1950 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Flammendes Tal

Filming Locations:

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Johnny Carter (Ray Milland) rides into a creek on his horse near the end of the story, both horse and rider completely submerge, but when they come out, Carter's shirt is mostly dry with a small wet patch.

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Quotes

Johnny Carter: You know, personally, I think there are only three things worth living for: fine guns, good horses and beautiful women.

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Connections

Referenced in El Litri y su sombra (1960)

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Soundtracks

COPPER CANYON
Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
Sung in background

User Reviews

Fish Out of Water

that's what Ray Milland and Hedy Lamarr are like in this film. I hate to be the fly in the ointment after reading all the other good reviews about this movie, but I found it very bland and somewhat boring. To be sure, the Technicolor is fantastic, the production values are high, and the scenery is gorgeous, however the two stars just don't fit well in this genre.

Ray Milland looks like he's asking himself "how did my career come to this?" Hedy Lamarr in what has to be one of her final screen roles (maybe the last?) shows her age. While Hedy may have been "the most beautiful girl in the world" at one point (in the '30's), the close-ups of her show that she is middle aged and led a life that has left the years on her face. I like Ray Milland in other films, and ditto Hedy Lamarr in her earlier efforts (she didn't make many movies).

The real problem is that neither is believable in a western setting. Ray is too urbane and sophisticated, Hedy is too glamorous and chic. As a result, it just doesn't feel like a western. It seems too 'manufactured' if you know what I mean. Too phony.

The script and storyline is also not the best. I think even Stewart or Wayne would have had trouble breathing life into this one, but at least you'd have had their personality to fall back upon. Ray Milland can be a terrific 'actor' (Lost Weekend) but he does not have the personality that shines through bad or mediocre material.