The Bandit Queen (film) explained

The Bandit Queen
Director:William Berke
Producer:William Berke
executive
Robert L. Lippert
Murray Lerner
Screenplay:Victor West
Budd Lesser
Story:Victor West
Starring:Barbara Britton
Willard Parker
Phillip Reed
Music:Albert Glasser
Cinematography:Ernest Miller
(as Ernest W. Miller)
Editing:Carl Pierson
Studio:Lippert Pictures
Runtime:70 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

The Bandit Queen is a 1950 American Western film directed by William Berke.[1] and starring Barbara Britton and Phillip Reed as the leaders of two Robin Hood types of bands.[1] [2]

Plot

Zarra Montalvo is the daughter of an American father and Spanish mother, Don Jose and Zara Montalvo. The Montalvo family possesses land rights or Spanish land grants to a hacienda with gold mines present. Abroad, Zarra comes home to California and witnesses her parents being murdered by Hank and an unknown man, Sheriff Jim Harden. Zarra initially approaches Harden about the crimes but eventually recognizes him as part of the murderers' gang. She joins forces with Joaquin Murietta to regain her rightful inheritance, and together they assume secret identities, with Zarra hidden behind the alias of a Zorro-like character named "Lola Belmont" and Murietta as "Carlos del Rio".

Dan Hinsdale, an attorney, later informs Zarra about his purchase of her family's rancho at a reduced fee because of back taxes owed by Zarra's parents. Zarra seeks the aid of Father Antonio, who along with Murietta is one of the few people to know their dual identities. Father Antonio warns her that her outlaw gang is wanted by the Spanish authority and its soldiers. Upon learning this, "Belmont" and "del Rio" secretly work to regain stolen gold and "land rights" on the behalf of other neighboring rancheros.

Cast

Production

Britton was coached for the film by Marcella Cresney.[3] The film's sets were designed by the art director Vin Taylor.

The Bandit Queen was produced by Lippert Pictures[4] and shot in the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park[1] as well as the San Fernando Valley. Set near Madera, California during the California Gold Rush, The Bandit Queen is a 70 minute black-and-white movie[5] that was a serial film depiction of Joaquin Murrieta's life.[6] Martha Vickers was initially slated to "play a two-gun gal of the West in her come-back picture" in this movie.[7] This release marked the final "Lippert Studios" film in 1950 with Britton starring in the title role as a Spanish American aristocratic daughter who avenged her parents' deaths in recovering stolen wealth through the use of a bullwhip.[8]

Reception

Critical

The Bandit Queen received the following reviews:- The Baltimore Afro-American, April 21, 1951.[9]

- The Modesto Bee, February 8, 1959.[10]

- Southeast Missourian, March 22, 1951.[11]

- Times-News (Hendersonville, North Carolina), January 29, 1951.[12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Bandit Queen (1950). Internet Movie Database. 11 June 2010.
  2. Web site: Bandit Queen (1950). Noblebandits. Arizona State University. 11 June 2010.
  3. News: Schallert, E.. From refined to ruffian--that's barbara britton. Oct 22, 1950. Los Angeles Times. .
  4. Web site: 1940 - 1959 (1950 section). Noblebandits. Arizona State University. 11 June 2010.
  5. Web site: Bandit Queen (1950). Turner Classic Movies. 11 June 2010.
  6. Web site: Barbara Britton won't go east. Hedda Hopper. Hedda Hopper. September 13, 1950. Toledo Blade. 12 June 2010.
  7. Web site: Dorothy Manners in Hollywood. Manners. Dorothy. August 14, 1950. Milwaukee Sentinel. 12 June 2010.
  8. Web site: Bandit Queen Plot Synopsis. Erickson. Hal. AllMovie. 12 June 2010.
  9. Web site: On The AVENUE. Rea. E.B.. April 21, 1951. Baltimore Afro-American. 11. 16 June 2010.
  10. Web site: TV Movie Key. February 8, 1959. The Modesto Bee. 20. 16 June 2010.
  11. Web site: A Week At The Cape Theaters. March 22, 1951. Southeast Missourian. 9. 16 June 2010.
  12. Web site: - FOX -. January 29, 1951. The Times-News (North Carolina). 3. 16 June 2010.