NR | 1h 30m | Romance, Western | 1949
Adventure films have always been a staple of cinema, offering audiences a chance to escape into worlds of daring quests and hidden riches. Many of these films revel in the fantastical and over-the-top events. Some of the most engaging stories root their tales in a very human obsession: the unyielding desire for lost treasure. These stories tap into our universal curiosity and longing for wealth and fame. This obsession can drive individuals to risk everything in pursuit of something extraordinary.
Some draw from actual historical events. One of these is “Lust for Gold” (1949). This film not only entertains, but also delves into one of America’s most famous lost treasures: the Lost Dutchman gold mine.
Finding ‘Precious Yellow Metal’
The tale begins in the sun-scorched deserts of Arizona during the 1940s, where the legend of the Lost Dutchman gold mine lures treasure seekers into the treacherous Superstition Mountains, located east of Phoenix. Floyd Buckley, a well-known writer, makes his way through the rugged foothills. He’s on a quest to uncover the fabled mine but meets a sudden and violent end when gunfire echoes across the barren landscape, and he is sniped by an unseen assailant.The sole witness to the murder, fresh-faced Barry Storm (William Prince), runs to the local authorities, who initially suspect he’s involved. Storm explains that he’s been following Buckley, not out of malice but because he believes himself to be the grandson of Jacob “Dutch” Walz (Ford), after whom the treasure is named.
Buckley had earlier refused Storm’s request to join him on the search for the lost gold mine, so Storm secretly trailed the now-deceased man out of curiosity and a desire to uncover the truth about his supposed heritage.
Once Storm is cleared of suspicion, Deputy Ray Covin (Will Geer) fills him in on the history and legends surrounding the lost treasure. This transports viewers back to the Old West of the 19th century by way of flashback.
In the flashback, Dutch and his old-timer associate, Wiser (Edgar Buchanan), are shown setting up in a town near the Superstition Mountains. Through cunning and deception, they manage to discover the mine, which Apaches had reportedly sealed off after outsiders offended the tribe’s deity.
Intriguing Characters
The bulk of the film focuses on the flashback, depicting Dutch’s interactions with a cast of colorful characters, including the alluring seductress Julia Thomas (Lupino) and her tortured husband, Pete (Gig Young), who are both drawn into the web of greed and intrigue surrounding the lost gold.
Both the main and supporting characters are well-crafted, keeping the audience guessing throughout. The plot revolves around people s over the years trying to find or, in the case of the Native Americans, hide, “20 million dollars worth of precious yellow metal,” as the narrator states in the first act. The characters’ motives aren’t always what they appear. Just when one character’s intentions seem good, it turns out that wasn’t necessarily the case. By the film’s end, one character ultimately realizes that the treasure may not be as important as he or she initially believed.
Ford doesn’t appear on-screen for quite some time. However, when he does, he is virtually unrecognizable. Ford seems to have put on a few pounds for the role, and sports a beard that accentuates his puffy cheeks. Not only does he physically disappear into his role but he also plays an unscrupulous rogue, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
I also enjoyed the performances of the other cast members, particularly Lupino’s, whose natural sparkle makes her practically gleam whenever she enters a room. Her voice, deeper than that of many starlets of the era, adds gravitas to her character’s lines.
Gig Young’s portrayal of a tormented husband is also gripping. Despite his career’s downward spiral due to alcoholism and his tragic death, Young’s body of work remains impressive, with many notable films and TV shows to his credit.
“Lust for Gold” is filled with interesting characters, though I was slightly disappointed that its top stars have less screen time than I would have liked. Nonetheless, it’s an entertaining tale steeped in American history and myth that might inspire viewers to delve into the legend of the Lost Dutchman gold mine.
