Hellfire
Some men live by making rules ... some women live by breaking 'em !
Production
Zeb Smith is a gambler with a larcenous streak, but when an itinerant preacher takes a bullet meant for him, Zeb vows to fulfill the preacher's mission of building a church. Frustrated in his attempts to get donations, Zeb attempts to capture fugitive Doll Brown in order to obtain the reward. But he finds that there's more to Doll than meets the eye. When his old friend Bucky McLean shows up gunning for Doll, Zeb sees a chance to redeem them all... one way or another.
Cast
Bill Elliott
Zeb Smith
Marie Windsor
Mary Carson / Doll Brown
Forrest Tucker
Marshall Bucky McLean
Jim Davis
Gyp Stoner
H.B. Warner
Brother Joseph
Paul Fix
Dusty Stoner
Grant Withers
Sheriff Martin
Emory Parnell
Sheriff Duffy
Esther Howard
Birdie
Harry Woods
Lew Stoner
Denver Pyle
Rex
Trevor Bardette
Wilson
Dewey Robinson
Cheyenne Bartender
Harry Tyler
Bartender
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Reviews
Wuchak
**_Old Western is offbeat enough to make it worthwhile_**
A penitent gambler in the Old West (Bill Elliott) hooks up with a wanted female outlaw (Marie Windsor), evidently with the hope of reforming her. Unfortunately, his marshal friend (Forrest Tucker) is hot on her trail.
"Hellfire" (1949) is a little too talky with some dull moments, but at least it’s not shallow and develops the characters. The spiritual commentary may be a little corny, but it’s refreshing and the ending involving Psalm 23 is genuinely moving. Plus, it’s interesting to see how far back you can trace the strong, independent female character (I’d say “femme fatale,” but that doesn’t actually fit).
Speaking of which, if a woman in the Old West could learn to master the art of gunmanship, she automatically became an equal to any man, no more having to endure unwanted groping and advances as a saloon girl. The flick should be commended for stressing this, not to mention statuesque Marie Windsor is entertaining.
It runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot at Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, with second unit stuff done in Sedona, Arizona.
GRADE: B-
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