Duel At Silver Creek (1952)

A U.S. Marshal (Stephen McNally) is intent on capturing a gang of claim jumpers who force miners to turn their claims over to them at gunpoint before killing them. He enlists a quick draw gambler (Audie Murphy) as his deputy to watch his back. Directed by Don Siegel (THE BEGUILED), this is a decent economical if minor western which Siegel keeps moving along nicely. At a brief hour and 17 minutes, Siegel doesn't give the film time to breathe, he races it along to the finish line. Although third billed, the film belongs as much to Stephen McNally as Audie Murphy. But the most interesting character in the film is the manipulative femme fatale played by Faith Domergue, as cold blooded and calculating and unrepentant as any film noir babe. Western fans should enjoy this one. With Lee Marvin, Susan Cabot, Gerald Mohr, James Anderson and Eugene Iglesias.