The Silver Whip (1953)

An inexperienced youth (Robert Wagner) is hired to drive a stagecoach but he's accompanied by a more experienced driver (Dale Robertson) for his first trip. When a group of bandits hold up the stage for the gold it is carrying, the boy does everything wrong which results in the death of two passengers (Lola Albright, Burt Mustin) and the loss of the gold. Based on the novel FIRST BLOOD by Jack Scahefer and directed by Harmon Jones (GORILLA AT LARGE). This minor western programmer is a decent entry with solid performances and a tight script. In a sense, it's a coming of age western with Wagner's callow youth entering into manhood the hard way by redeeming himself after his disastrous first attempt at a grown man's job. The distinctive B&W lensing by Lloyd Ahern (MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET) takes full advantage of the scenic Sonora locations but while I can understand the decision to shoot in B&W to keep the focus on the drama, it would have looked glorious in Technicolor. Unfortunately, there's no original score, just stock music cues and the film could have benefited from a good underscore. With Rory Calhoun, Kathleen Crowley and James Millican.