mark.waltz
Hedy Lamarr never warmed me as a movie star. She's a beautiful block of ice, able to photograph beautifully and pose in outfits of dating back to the biblical era to modern times, but we're not talking about modeling here: we're talking about giving a performance. Her sultry stares as Tondelayo were unforgettable, and she did manage to be enticing as the seductive Delilah. But for the most part, she simply reads lines rather than creates a character and never allows the camera into her heart, a definite flaw in a movie actress. Yet, she managed to last past going to the Casbah for close to two decades, so something must have been there that I'm not seeing.This western is as dull as her performance, dealing with saboteurs of copper mine workers. They want help from alleged civil war hero Ray Milland who denies being whom they claim he is. But when he shows up anyway, it's obvious that he's hiding his identity for a reason, taking on the bullies with no stopping for a break.The bad guys are MacDonald Carey and Lamarr, who seems to have a secret agenda of her own. Is she really on Carey's side, or playing him in order to help the other side? That's where this film fails to convince and become anything less than a train wreck. A fine supporting cast including Mona Freeman, Percy Helton, Frank Faylen and as a fly swatting saloon keeper, a colorfully made up Hope Emerson. A few good action sequences along the way help keep this moving, but it's like many others I've seen which did it better with an interesting story, which this lacks.
MartinHafer
Although there are a few exceptions (very few), almost all westerns recycle about a half dozen plots. This one uses two VERY familiar plots. First is the Southerners being taken advantage of by the wicked Yankees plot--Errol Flynn and especially Randolph Scott made quite a few of these. Second is the evil boss-man trying to steal everyone's legal claim--usually to property, grazing land or mining. So, because of this, the film seems awfully familiar...too familiar.Ray Milland plays a professional trick-shooter (a novel idea for a western). He's approached by a group of Southerners in the post-Civil War West. That's because life in Copper Canyon stinks for Southerners--no one will smelt their ore and they are routinely robbed. It's gotten so bad that people are selling out and moving. Milland denies that he is this Confederate leader they think he was and is non-committal about going to Copper Creek. However, the next stage into town brings Milland--who still seems apprehensive to get involved.Along the way is the bad girl (Hedy Lamarr) from the dance hall (yet another western cliché) who has a foreign accent and who is so taken with the handsome stranger that she literally changes sides! And, of course, there is the baddie who specializes in shooting people in the back and killing people in staged gunfights (Macdonald Carey). So, as I said before, it's all way too familiar. What saves it, a bit, is the acting. The Welshman, Milland, is very good--even if he isn't the traditional macho hero. Plus, his accent is well-hid. And, although you might not expect it, Carey is also quite good. As for Hedy, she's given a rather thankless role without much room to act--she's more like a decoration through much of the film. If you love westerns, it's worth seeing...otherwise, it's just a polished time-passer.
bkoganbing
Hedy Lamarr decided to go west following in the footsteps of Marlene Dietrich who saw Destry Rides Again rejuvenate her career. I'm sure that was why she decided to do Copper Canyon where she was saloon girl villainess who falls big time for fancy sharp shooter Ray Milland who brings his trick shot act into her town and saloon.Milland arouses the jealousy of crooked sheriff Macdonald Carey. But Milland has a past of his own. He's a former Confederate colonel who robbed a Yankee payroll in escaping before the war ended. He's a hunted man for that reason though the local hunter, army lieutenant Harry Carey, Jr. really hasn't got his heart in the job. Milland's been sent for because the local copper mine smelter with the connivance of Carey has been exploiting the Confederate veterans. His prowess with weapons comes in mighty handy before the film is over.It's a good, not great western, but the reason it became popular because of the title tune which is heard, but not sung in the soundtrack. Young Teresa Brewer had a hit record of it back in the day.Copper Canyon didn't really give Hedy Lamarr the Dietrich like assist in her career. Still she does fine and it's a good Saturday afternoon film for enjoyment.
wndlz
I have not seen this movie recently; but I remember it as an unusually attractive looking film. Color by Technicolor, and colorful costumes by Edith Head, for Hedy Lamarr, helped make this otherwise run of the mill story, eye candy for viewers. Hedy Lamarr looked wonderful as usual; of course this role could not possibly rival that of Delilah. Ray Milland was more fun than usual. I thought character development was superior to most westerns of the time; except perhaps for Hedy's role, which seemed a little ambiguous. Good western. Hedy Lamarr's physical presence was an added bonus.
AD
