Río sangriento

I know nothing about Director John Rawlins but he certainly should have avoided the pitfalls of a script that keeps trying to surprise but just seems contrived, what with all the contradictory directions that love relations keep taking.

Incredibly beautiful Carole Matthews plays a hardened saloon lady and her chemistry with Guy Madison is very convincing. She is the proverbial heart of gold saloon lady until she kills to save the man she loves... and, of course, back in 1949 there was a price to pay for killers.

Good friends and army officers Madison and Calhoun share a playful relationship until they fall in love with the same woman, who has to say no to one, only to see the other fall for the above mentioned saloon lady. Sadly, these characters are too fast for typical late 19th century characters and they keep ditching and trading partners with undergarment-changing frequency, which may initially raise the tempo and threat of some thorny situations, but not even very good B&W photography and engaging action and acting save the film from its shifty script.

Still, it is watchable. 6/10.