I have been twice to the Carlsbad Caverns, in the fifties and early sixties. It is something magnificent and I was afraid this film would not do justice to it. But that's not the case because the beauty of "Cave of Outlaws" is how it combines the impressive scenery with a well written plot of mystery, love, and even an unusual (in westerns) duel. The story starts when young Pete Carver (Russ Tamblyn) is found inside the cavern after a train robbery. They can't find the money, he stays fifteen years in jail, and comes out played by Macdonald Carey. By now he is famous, the whole town (near the cavern) offers him credit, and he decides to help Elizabeth Trent (Alexis Smith) build a newspaper. Alexis Smith is beautiful and classy, she enhances every film she is in. This film deserves a high definition version to fully appreciate the cavern. When they say at a certain moment, after many people get killed at the cavern, that they want to get out of the place, they remember they must come back to contemplate the incredible beauty. And every one that will visit the Carlsbad Caverns will never forget it!

This film opens with an ambush on a train in Arizona in 1880; the bandits force the train to stop, blow open the mail car and make off with bags containing gold that belongs to Wells Fargo. They are chased by the sheriff and his posse and attempt to hide in a huge cave. The sheriff's men enter the cave and, after a brief shootout, only one of the gang is left alive; a teenaged boy, Pete Carver, who claims to have no idea where the stolen gold is. Fifteen years later the Carver is released from prison and heads straight back to the area of the crime. There is now a town nearby and all the locals seem happy to let him buy what he wants on credit as they believe he knows exactly where the gold is... and he is happy for them to believe that he does. Among the locals who come to him with business propositions is Elizabeth Trent, whose husband disappeared while looking for the gold. He agrees to help her restart the town newspaper using his credit. It isn't long before troubles start; a couple of thugs attempt to rob him more than once, the wealthy owner of the local copper mine sees him as a rival for Elizabeth's attentions and a man from Wells Fargo is intent on recovering the gold. Before the film is out there will be a duel, accusations of murder and finally a confrontation in the caves.I hadn't heard of this western when I saw it advertised in the TV guide but thought I'd give it a go; it opened well with an explosive train robbery and a brief shootout in the cave before slowing down as we are introduced to the older Carver. This was a good move as his introduction kept the character ambiguous; he was clearly taking advantage of the people's willingness to offer him credit but it was some time before we discovered whether or not he knew exactly where the gold was. It wasn't a total surprise when we learn the truth as it is rare for the protagonist of such films to be the villain! Macdonald Carey might not have the screen presence of many western heroes but he did a decent job as Carver; his understated performance giving greater tension to the action scenes as Carver didn't look like a man who could beat any opponent. Likewise Victor Jory made a good villain; he isn't a crazed psychopath desperate to get his hands on the gold but he is believable dangerous... he even challenges Carver to a duel; not the usual shootout but a traditional pistols at twenty paces duel overseen by a 'referee'! All B westerns need some love interest and here it is provided by Alexis Smith, her character is fairly standard for such films but she does a good enough job.The locations are used well; many viewers will recognise Vasquez Rocks, famously used many times in 'Star Trek' as well as in many other films and television shows. The cave scenes, filmed in Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, looked great even though there was no explanation as to why it was beautifully lit rather than pitch black inside! Overall this isn't a must see western but it has a decent enough story and an interesting setting that makes it worth watching if it is on television.

Cave of Outlaws (1951) ** (out of 4) Technicolor Western set in 1880 finds a gang of outlaws robbing a train full of gold and hiding it in a cave. Before they can leave the cave all are killed with the exception of teenager Pete Carver. After fifteen years in prison, Pete (MacDonald Carey) is released and heads back to the territory where the cave is located only to learn that it's now a booming town due to copper being found in the mines. The good news is that the money was never discovered but now Pete must try and outsmart a few other bad guys who have their own plans for the money. It's amazing that someone like William Castle can remain so popular yet very few of his films are actually viewed by people. It seems most either never knew he had a career before his Horror pictures or perhaps they just don't care. As I slowly go through his Westerns it's clear that he was certainly a director-for-hire as his quick shooting and under budget reputation certainly got him hired to do this film. There's nothing overly horrible about this film but at the same time there's nothing good either. I think a lot of the problem is the screenplay, which gives us a fairly interesting idea but very little is ever done with it. Once Pete arrives back to town we get the typical bad guys following him and the typical women wanting him. There' some mild comic stuff dealing with every store owner giving him an unlimited line of credit because they think he knows where the money is but not enough is done with this. Castle handles the opening robbery pretty well but the rest of the film is rather lifeless. There's not too much energy in any of the scenes and the ending seems more fashioned for a comic book than an actual film. Carey isn't the most entertaining leading men and Alexis Smith doesn't get too much to do either. Edgar Buchanan, Hugh O'Brian and Hugh Sanders aren't too bad in their supporting roles but the screenplay does them no favors. There's some decent cinematography and fans of Universal's horror films will notice that a lot of the stock music is carried over here. If you close you eyes throughout the film you'll think you're watching ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN considering the scores. In the end, it's pretty hard to recommend this movie to anyone outside of someone like me who just wants to go through the director's entire career.

Fifteen years ago, a gang of bandits hid a stash of stolen gold in a cave. Now Pete Carver (Macdonald Carey) has returned, after serving a long prison sentence, to collect the loot. The trouble is, everybody in town wants a piece of his action. He helps the pretty widow Liz Trent (Alexis Smith) to re-launch her newspaper, The Clarion - but what is Ben Cross's interest in her?Apart from a big, elaborate cave set with realistic stalactites and stalagmites, this listless western doesn't have much to offer. Ever-present western character actor Edgar Buchanan is good as Dobbs the Wells Fargo investigator, and the two leads are adequate, but that's it.Some of the ludicrous touches include the cave interior being brighter than day, and Carver's ability to overcome two armed heavies, even though he has recently been shot and beaten up. The denouement is preposterously neat.Verdict - slack, run of the mill horse opera.