discount1957
Another grim Western from Werker, notable for the realism of ist depiction of life in the Arizona State Penitentiary at the turn of the century. McNally is the psychotic killer seeking revenge on Robertson, also imprisoned, while Mayo is the girl working in the prison dispensary to help McNally to escape, who switches sides at the last minute. In all essentials a prison-break movie in Western costume, it survives the imposition of 3-D thanks to Musuraca's low-key lighting effects. - Furthermore, this is an opportunity to watch Arthur Hunnicutt in another of his marvellous sketches of very special and likable sidekicks.Phil Hardy
alexandre michel liberman (tmwest)
"Mayo, trapped with 500 desperate men! Fighting like jungle beasts for her love! In Natural Vision 3 Dimension! Starring Virginia Mayo coming to you real as flesh! In3D! Every savage thrill! Every scorching scene!" I just took those word above from the teaser of the film, which misleads you. I did not see the trailer, but it must have been better than the film.(which they usually are) The film tells the story of a an ex marshal Billy Reynolds (Dale Robertson) who kills in self defense two men, who were out to get him. He is sent to prison where he ends up meeting Abby Nixon (Virginia Mayo) and her boyfriend Jessie Gorman (Stephen McNally). Gorman is the brother of one of the guys he shot and will try to kill him. The film is slow moving, up to the end, where there are good action scenes. The romantic part is poorly scripted, the relationships of Mayo with McNally and Robertson not making much sense. The film (due probably to Hughes) makes a point of enhancing Virginia Mayo's bosom, after all "The Outlaw" was a huge moneymaker.
Leofwine_draca
This routine oater sees eye-catching Virginia Mayo aiding a gang of outlaws in a small desert town by helping to arrange a massive jailbreak. It's a strictly by-the-numbers affair, featuring characters segregated into either the good or bad, and a particular cheapness to the sets. RKO Pictures were well known for churning out low budget programmer after low budget programmer and DEVIL'S CANYON is a good example of their 'shoot fast for a quick buck' mentality.The movie features a number of notable character actors from the era, including Whit Bissell, Morris Ankrum and Irving Bacon, but only Dale Robertson, as the upstanding hero, is given much of a character, while Mayo seems to be relegated to the role of clothes horse for much of the running time.Things do pick up with a couple of decent shoot-outs and an elaborate, large-scale climax which doesn't disappointment, but by the looks of it the gimmicky 3D fails to make much, if any, of an impact other than in the opening titles.
C.K. Dexter Haven
Film noir, prison break drama or western? It doesn't seem to know and you'll give up caring to figure it out about a third of the way in. This is a lacklustre B movie in any genre. Starts out a western shoot em up then takes on a Cagney in the big house edge. A good scene at the end with a gatling gun though, if you don't mind fighting to stay awake to get that far. Notable if spotting Earl Holliman in early bit parts is one of your favorite past-times, and Virginia Mayo is watchable if you like your western dames talking tough as nails and looking like they stepped out of a 50's LIFE ad for Lee Jeans. Otherwise, skipping this would probably be more to your liking.And I agree with the other reviewer that the title refers to Ms. Mayo's *mm-hmm*. If you can find an actual canyon anywhere in this picture you paid closer attention than I did.
AD
