A fast-paced western, the first directed by Don Siegel, "The Duel at Silver Creek" is a classic good vs evil oater and ideal Saturday matinee fare. A gang of claim jumpers force miners to sign over their property, then shoot them to cover up the crime. The son of one murdered miner heads to the town where the jumpers are headquartered, and there he teams with the local marshal and finds romance. Although war-hero Audie Murphy is first billed as the young Silver Kid, Stephen McNally as Marshal Lightening Tyrone is the lead. Although the characters are one dimensional, and the acting requirements minimal, both actors adequately fill the bill, shoot convincingly, and ride a horse with conviction. Nothing more needed, although both have a yen for the ladies.
Posses and gunfights, a duplicitous woman and a kindly old timer, a duel, a kidnaping, and chases on horseback, "The Duel at Silver Creek" has the elements of fondly remembered western entertainment. The script adds a noirish voice-over that relates the thoughts of Marshall Lightening, but is otherwise entirely predictable to anyone who grew up in the 1950's nourished on these wonderful old sagebrush sagas. Not a classic, but a well-made entertainment that will take you back to an afternoon at the local Bijou, nestled in your seat with a box of Milkduds, a box of popcorn, and a Coca Cola, while the lights dim and Audie Murphy shoots and rides for 77 action-packed minutes.
Posses and gunfights, a duplicitous woman and a kindly old timer, a duel, a kidnaping, and chases on horseback, "The Duel at Silver Creek" has the elements of fondly remembered western entertainment. The script adds a noirish voice-over that relates the thoughts of Marshall Lightening, but is otherwise entirely predictable to anyone who grew up in the 1950's nourished on these wonderful old sagebrush sagas. Not a classic, but a well-made entertainment that will take you back to an afternoon at the local Bijou, nestled in your seat with a box of Milkduds, a box of popcorn, and a Coca Cola, while the lights dim and Audie Murphy shoots and rides for 77 action-packed minutes.