Stronghold (1951)

Set during the Juarez revolution against the Austrian emperor Maximillian (Felipe De Alba), a young woman (Veronica Lake) and her mother (Fanny Schiller) of Mexican descent return to Mexico after the American Civil War has killed the rest of their family. But the peace they hoped to find is shattered when they are kidnapped by a "gentleman" bandit (Arturo De Cordova). Directed by Steve Sekely (DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS), this is a Mexican film using American stars. In addition to Lake, Zachary Scott co-stars as the film's duplicitous villain. After leaving Paramount in 1948, Lake's career floundered and this movie was her last film for 15 years until she returned in minor roles in two low budget horror movies in the 1960s. Scott had just ended his Warners contract and was trying to find a foothold outside the studio system without much success. As to the film itself, its very low budget shows in everything from the inferior script to weak acting. Even the cinematography by the normally reliable Stanley Cortez (THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS) is pedestrian. With Rita Macedo, Alfonso Bedoya and Iren Agay (who died at 38 before the film was released) as the Empress Carlotta.