THE MAVERICK QUEEN from REPUBLIC pictures (1956). Kino Lorber remastered this western from a 35 millimeter film print. It stars Barbara Stanwyck and Barry Sullivan. It is based on the book written by Zane Grey.
This movie is number #19 on my list of favorite westerns. It is now on Blu-Ray.
The story is simple. A lone gunman arrives in a small town called, "Rock Springs, Wyoming." He joins a gang called, "The Wild Bunch." Butch Cassidy and Sundance run this group of outlaws. The gunman meets a ruthless woman named "Kit." She owns most of Rock Springs and also runs with the wild bunch.
Republic Pictures tried to cash-in on the wide-screen trend of the time. "Cinerama." Republic called there's, "Naturama." This trend by the movie studios was created to compete with television. It was cutting into movie profits of the 1950's. Republic also used "Trucolor" just like "Technicolor." It was a gamble before Republic closed its independent company. The color film is no longer used.
The Zane Grey novel is more explicit and racist. It's toned down for this movie.
This is a cliche western like so many others. The difference is the location setting of Wyoming. (It was filmed in Colorado). The tall, steep mountains serve as the back drop and what beautiful scenery. It serves as a character in itself. It certainly comes alive on BluRay.
Barbara Stanwyck was known to do her own stunts in all of her westerns. She does again here. The big drop on the side of that ridge is scary and fantastic. She rides that horse straight down while being chased by Sundance. (Stanwyck was later inducted as an honorary stunt woman).
If you love westerns like I do. Check this out for Stanwyck and those great mountains plus landscapes. The people look so small but they survive in a wild country.
Click on photos below for BluRay.
I had this VHS home video copy for years. That is until it went on DVD. Now, it's on BluRay.
A scene from "The Maverick Queen" 1956. With Barbara Stanwyck & Scott Brady.
A scene from "The Maverick Queen" 1956. With Barbara Stanwyck & Barry Sullivan (Both in front).