best movie i've ever seen.

The acting in this movie is really good.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Lust for Gold is directed by S. Sylvan Simon and adapted for the screen by Richard English & Ted Sherdeman from the novel Thunder God's Gold written by Barry Storm. It stars Ida Lupino, Glenn Ford, Gig Young and William Prince. Music is by George Duning and cinematography by Archie Stout.Superstition Mountains, home to the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, and home to many deaths because of it...Is it a mythical legend or is it fact? What we do know is that the story of The Lost Dutchman Gold Mind, apparently located somewhere in the Superstition Mountains, East of Phoenix, Arizona, is one hell of a story and makes for an entertaining and interestingly structured Western flavoured movie. Hell! The film even has a tricky little back story that saw author Barry Storm, who was portrayed in the film by William Prince, sue the makers for misrepresentation of his character. Even citing Communism as being what he claimed were some underhand tactics. Further reading on this subject can be found on the internet and it's most interesting stuff. Also noteworthy is that director S. Sylvan Simon (I Love Trouble) was originally only producing the movie, direction was to be by George Marshall (Destry Rides Again/How The West Was Won), but the two of them clashed considerably so Simon took on directing duties as well.What should be said from the outset is that first time viewers would be well advised to read up on the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine first. This will help considerably to enjoy the film more. This is because the picture covers three different time periods in history, with the beginning and end taking place in present day (1949 that is), and the centre bulk of the story set in 1880 as Dutchy Waltz (Ford) finds the gold and promptly finds hassle (the whole town) and treachery (Lupino's sultry femme fatale Julia Thomas) comes as part of the deal. The third point in history comes by way of an explanation as to the Apache Indian origins of the gold. None of it is confusing, but the flow of the film is inevitably stop-start, and with Prince's character (Barry Storm is related to Dutchy Waltz) providing a one note narration, film isn't as "great" as it should be.However, there is a lot of "great" things "in" Lust for Gold. Cast are mostly ace, with Lupino a dominating presence and Ford doing a nice line as, well, a sympathetic bastard! In secondary support you get a roll call of actors who have earned their spurs in the Western genre. Edgar Buchanan (Devil's Doorway), Will Geer (Broken Arrow), Arthur Hunnicut (The Big Sky) and Jay Silverheels (The Lone Ranger TV series and films). As fun and intriguing as the story is, and it is both, the best thing about the film is undoubtedly the location shooting by Archie Stout (Fort Apache). Originally shot in Sepia tones, the DVD release of the film is in crisp black and white (the Region 2 DVD offers a quality print), where the Superrstition Mountains make for an imposing presence throughout the tale, the beauty and hazards of the rock formations are expertly realised by Stout's photography.Although one can imagine Marshall would have stitched the story together better, and possibly got more mileage out of Gig Young's hapless husband character, Simon doesn't scrimp on the action sequences. There's plenty of fisticuffs within, plus a pulse raising Apache attack sequence. He also proves competent at honing a sweaty stand-off section, where the thirst becomes unbearable under the burning sun. This is a precursor to a genuinely eye opening turn of events before we zip back to the present day. It's then when you most likely will feel like I did, bitten by a yearning to get back to the old West in the company of gold hungry varmints and duplicitous females. 7.5/10

After the first 20 minutes of the film, I was asking myself, where are the main stars: Ida Lupino, Gig Young and Glenn Ford? My question was soon answered when a grandson of Ford, looking for the elusive mine filled with gold, stumbles on to an old age home where an old-timer relates the story of his grandpa and the others within his orbit.I must say that flashback was used effectively here but the film boils down to a western atmosphere, where our 3 ruthless stars are caught up in the gold madness, after the Ford character discovers the gold.In modern times, 20 people were murdered while searching for the treasure. The role of the greedy- woman was tailor made for Ida Lupino, and Gig Young is effective as her murderous husband, agreeing to her scheme, before realizing that he is being used as well. Ford is excellent as the prospector, vicious and insane to the core.The scenes showing Ford torturing the other 2 prior to the earthquake hitting are amateurish at best. When we head back to modern times, it becomes obvious who the killer is, since he was missing in action each time a killing occurred.

The legend of the gold mine buried in Arizona's Superstition Mountains, is what attracts young Barry Storm to come get the treasure. Supposedly, he is related to Dutch Walz, the man who discovered where the Indiasn buried the treasure. Now Barry has come to the rugged territory to try and claim it for himself. As the story opens, Barry witnesses the killing of a man who he believes is also looking for the illusive gold. The only thing to do is report it to the local authorities, but he is surprised when the sheriff Early tells him this man is about the fifth one killed pursuing the treasure. He is sent back to point to Ray Covin, a deputy, the location.In flashbacks, the action goes back to the late 1800s when Dutch Walz, an adventurer happens to be at the place where the the old mine was sealed by the Apaches, who believed the mountains were a sacred place. Walz makes a mistake, common to most newly rich individuals, he goes into the nearest town with his findings attracting the curiosity of the general population.Unknown to him, Julia Thomas, who owns the town's bakery, learns about Dutch Walz. She formulates a plan to snare the naive Walz, who falls under the spell of her beauty. Unknown to Dutch, Julia is married to Pete, a man that she doesn't love anymore, but who sees the opportunity as well to get some of Walz's money for himself. Julia and Pete follow Dutch into the area where the gold is hidden, but a natural disaster intervenes in their claim to richness.The interesting aspect of this 1949 MGM film, directed by S. Sylvan Simon is that it combines two genres quite well because it is a western, as well as a film noir because the elements that were injected in the story by Ted Sherdeman and Richard English screenplay. This is a film rarely seen these days and that merits a view by fans of its director. Archie Stout's excellent black and white cinematography enhances Arizona's Superstition Mountains. For those days, where special effects were in their infancy, Mr. Simon stages fights at the rim of cliffs that one wonders how they were staged.Glenn Ford makes a good Dutch Walz. The immensely talented Ida Lupino plays the ambitious Julia. Hers is a smaller role, but she puts enough heat to steal the picture. A mustachioed Gig Young is seen as Pete. Will Geer has a good opportunity as Ray. Edgar Buchanan, Wiiliam Prince and Paul Ford are also in the supporting cast.A seldom seen treat.

An excellent movie with a complicated plot. The story starts & ends in the present (1948); a long flashback sequence in the middle describes the time period 1880-1887. The grandson of the rediscoverer of the richest goldmine in America (worth $20 million back in those days!) goes to search for the mine, but becomes involved in a series of unresolved murders. The stars of the movie (Ford, Lupino, & Young) are all part of the flashback sequence. There's mystery, action, murders, romance, treasure, singing, double-crossing & more in this exciting western. All the actors do a fine job (Edgar Buchanan is great in a small role & we get to see Jay Silverheels just before he started doing Tonto in the Lone Ranger TV series). The plot is long & winding & holds the viewer's interest, & the conclusion is highly ironic & oh-so frustrating! Highly recommended for western & treasure & romance fans. This one rates a 10!