Lust for Gold (1949)

38% of users liked it
(1,125 ratings)

Producer/director S. Sylvan Simon, a man usually associated with comedies and musicals, turned out a rip-roaring western melodrama when he aimed his sights at Lust for Gold. Most of the film is told in flashback, relating the exploits of Jacob Walz (Glenn Ford), the greedy, homicidal owner of the… More Producer/director S. Sylvan Simon, a man usually associated with comedies and musicals, turned out a rip-roaring western melodrama when he aimed his sights at Lust for Gold. Most of the film is told in flashback, relating the exploits of Jacob Walz (Glenn Ford), the greedy, homicidal owner of the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine. After conniving and killing his way to success, Walz is destroyed when he falls in love with equally mercenary Julia Thomas (Ida Lupino at her nasty best). The film returns to the Present, as a descendant of Walz tries to locate the mine--and endangers his own life in the process. Most of the action highlights in Lust for Gold would turn up as stock footage in future Columbia productions, including an episode of TV's Captain Midnight. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: S. Sylvan Simon
Written By: Barry Storm, Ted Sherdeman, Richard English
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 10, 1949 Wide
On DVD: Apr 5, 2005

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Lust for Gold is the poor man's Treasure of Sierra Madre.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

The framing story is weak but the main one with Ida and Glenn is very good as are they.

Cast

            Ida Lupino as Julia Thomas

            Glenn Ford as Jacob Walz

            Gig Young as Pete Thomas

            William Prince as Barry Storm

            Edgar Buchanan as Wiser

            Paul Ford as Sheriff Lynn Early

            Jay Silverheels as Walter

            Eddy Waller as Coroner

            Will Wright as Parson

            Virginia Mullen as Matron

            Antonio Moreno as Ramon Peralta

            Arthur Hunnicutt as Ludi

            Myrna Dell as Lucille

            Tom Tyler as Luke

            Elspeth Dudgeon as Mrs. Bannister

            Paul E. Burns as Bill Bates

            Hayden Rorke as Floyd Buckley

            Richard Alexander
            
            George Cheseboro as Man

            Edmund Cobb
            
            Karolyn Grimes
            
            Percy Helton as Barber

            Kermit Maynard as Man in Lobby

            Arthur Space as Old Man

            Fred F. Sears as Hotel Clerk

            William Tannen as Eager Fellow

            Will Geer as Deputy Ray Covin

            Billy Gray
            
            John Doucette
            
See full cast