The Iron Mistress ** (1952, Alan Ladd, Virginia Mayo, Joseph Calleia) – Classic Movie Review 10,123

Director Gordon Douglas’s 1952 film The Iron Mistress stars Alan Ladd, who is neatly cast as Jim Bowie, the frontiersman inventor of the twin-edged knife, in this routine, fictionalised fact-based Western biopic.

There is romance when he falls in love with Judalon de Bornay (Virginia Mayo) but she has married playboy Philippe de Cabanal (Alf Kjellin). And there is adventure in a highlight in the action-packed, tough-toned fighting in New Orleans. But you will look in vain for the expected last stand at the Alamo.

The costly Warner Bros production, John F Seitz’s impressive Technicolor cinematography and the colourful performances from Joseph Calleia, Alf Kjellin and Ned Young are the film’s main recommendations.

The Iron Mistress is acceptable as escapist Western entertainment, as long as you don’t look for truth, accuracy or real inspiration.

The screenplay by James R Webb is based on a novel by Paul Wellman.

Also in the cast are Phyllis Kirk, Douglas Dick, Tony Caruso, George Voskovec, Richard Carlyle, Don Beddoe, Harold Gordon, Jay Novello, Dick Paxton, Nick Dennis, George Lewis and Eugene Borden.

The Iron Mistress is directed by Gordon Douglas, runs 110 minutes, is made by Warner Bros, is released by Warner Bros, is written by James R Webb, based on a novel by Paul Wellman, is shot in Technicolor by John F Seitz, is produced by Henry Blanke, is scored by Max Steiner, with production designs by John Beckman.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,123

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