It's an unfair comparison to connect a huge epic in production for years to a western, even if it was an A lister. But had this even cast somebody other than and Baxter in this, having Charlton Heston in the league would have automatically brought up mentions of that classic film. Today, Baxter's participation in the Ten Commandments is often greeted with giggles as she offered a camp performance as the Egyptian princess in love with Heston's Moses. She manages here to be less over-the-top and more sincere as a showgirl with a past who out of the blue marries land baron Heston who knows nothing about her. They move out to his ranch in the middle of nowhere, and rival ranchers use her past against them, leaving the playing field open to his one armed brother Tom Tryon the opportunity to move in. Her sudden pregnancy adds more conflict.
This features some decent supporting performances with a young Elaine Stritch making her film debut as Baxter's old pal who runs a saloon/hotel in the closest town. Barely thirty when she filmed this, Stritch already shows the power of a veteran scene stealer, having been on Broadway for a decade. Gilbert Roland and Forrest Tucker are also incredibly good. Action packed and filled with personal conflict that makes for a good story, it still lacks the element of surprise. Baxter shows that she can hold her own, and interspercements of humor also adds to the entertainment value. But what could have been a week stern variation of classic theatrical drama like "Desire Under the Elms" is sadly never achieved. Heston's character becomes needlessly cruel for stupid reasons that dissipates sympathy for his character.
This features some decent supporting performances with a young Elaine Stritch making her film debut as Baxter's old pal who runs a saloon/hotel in the closest town. Barely thirty when she filmed this, Stritch already shows the power of a veteran scene stealer, having been on Broadway for a decade. Gilbert Roland and Forrest Tucker are also incredibly good. Action packed and filled with personal conflict that makes for a good story, it still lacks the element of surprise. Baxter shows that she can hold her own, and interspercements of humor also adds to the entertainment value. But what could have been a week stern variation of classic theatrical drama like "Desire Under the Elms" is sadly never achieved. Heston's character becomes needlessly cruel for stupid reasons that dissipates sympathy for his character.