The Eagle And The Hawk (1950)

Set in 1863, a Texas Ranger (John Payne) and a Union Army spy (Dennis O'Keefe) go undercover in Mexico to investigate American guns and ammunition being stolen in support of France seizing power in Mexico. Directed by Lewis R. Foster (THE BOLD AND THE BRAVE), this is a pleasing western programmer. This was the first of four movies Payne and Rhonda Fleming made together and their chemistry here shows why they were paired frequently. Payne and O'Keefe also have an easy going chemistry and they would also have made a nice team. The handsome exteriors have Sedona, Arizona standing in for Mexico with the masterful James Wong Howe (PICNIC) responsible for the Technicolor cinematography. There's nothing particularly special about this movie but western fans should find it agreeable enough. My only (minor) quibble with the movie, did costume designer Travis Banton deliberately go out of his way to make the overdressed Fleming look unattractive? With Fred Clark, Frank Faylen and Thomas Gomez.