Copper Canyon is directed by John Farrow and written by John Latimer. It stars Ray Milland, Hedy Lamarr, Macdonald Carey, Mona Freeman and Harry Carey Junior. Music is by Daniele Amfitheatrof and cinematography by Charles Lang.In the bitter period after the Civil War a band of Confederate veterans hoped to start life anew in the rich copper country of the West. They were prepared for the hardships of nature - but not for the greed of men.Much of this production is beautiful and handsome, tech credits are high end, the Technicolor sizzling, costuming sharp, the locations (Vasquez Rocks/Red Rock Crossing/Cathedral Rock et al) a joy for the eyes. Then of course there's the stars, Milland with his elegant looks, Lamarr cute as a button with blood red lips, and Freeman, a classic beauty if ever there was one. So it's with a touch of sadness to report that prettiness is what you ultimately remember most about the pic.Story relies of a filmic Civil War trait that has Yankees and Rebs still feuding post the war, on this occasion the Union people are trying to drive out the Confederates who are trying to make hay (copper) while the sun shines on copper canyon. Enter Milland, who is thought to be an ex Confederate leader now plying his trade as a magician/entertainer/marksman etc. Denying he is the ex soldier in question, he nonetheless gets well and truly involved in things, including courting Lamarr, who may or may not be the axis of the pain brought down on the Confederate miners.The mystery angle involving the principals remains intriguing for the most part, and as old hat as it is, the good guy bad guy shenanigans (Mac Carey of course on chief villain duties) is fun viewing. There's splashes of action, with shootings and chases, the best of the latter unfurling through magnificent scenery, while the big battle at film's end is action packed - even if it is sadly a false dawn since the big face off is a damp squib. But in spite of the beauty and the highlights it still remains a nothing piece, a bit of dressage over substance.It really should have been something more, something other than a pretty play kinda going through the motions. Frustrating. 6/10

This is quite a good western with stellar performance by Ray Milland as the Confederate soldier who is hiding behind the guise of being a trick shot entertainer. Milland is always cool and charming even when in the old west. Hedy Lamaar is lovely and desirable, and of course there is a budding romance between the two. MacDonald Carey is very good as the vicious sheriff who runs the town and the corruption. When Milland and Hedy are together there is no doubt about the chemistry, even when he skips out on her to help the ore train get to its destination. The Technicolor in this film is beautiful and the backdrop for the film is wonderfully photographed. Some of the plot has been seen before in other westerns, but Milland and Hedy make it a worthwhile viewing. As always Milland gives even a common thread his best and therefore shows he can do any part and make it enjoyable.

Although there are a few exceptions (very few), almost all westerns recycle about a half dozen plots. This one uses two VERY familiar plots. First is the Southerners being taken advantage of by the wicked Yankees plot--Errol Flynn and especially Randolph Scott made quite a few of these. Second is the evil boss-man trying to steal everyone's legal claim--usually to property, grazing land or mining. So, because of this, the film seems awfully familiar...too familiar.Ray Milland plays a professional trick-shooter (a novel idea for a western). He's approached by a group of Southerners in the post-Civil War West. That's because life in Copper Canyon stinks for Southerners--no one will smelt their ore and they are routinely robbed. It's gotten so bad that people are selling out and moving. Milland denies that he is this Confederate leader they think he was and is non-committal about going to Copper Creek. However, the next stage into town brings Milland--who still seems apprehensive to get involved.Along the way is the bad girl (Hedy Lamarr) from the dance hall (yet another western cliché) who has a foreign accent and who is so taken with the handsome stranger that she literally changes sides! And, of course, there is the baddie who specializes in shooting people in the back and killing people in staged gunfights (Macdonald Carey). So, as I said before, it's all way too familiar. What saves it, a bit, is the acting. The Welshman, Milland, is very good--even if he isn't the traditional macho hero. Plus, his accent is well-hid. And, although you might not expect it, Carey is also quite good. As for Hedy, she's given a rather thankless role without much room to act--she's more like a decoration through much of the film. If you love westerns, it's worth seeing...otherwise, it's just a polished time-passer.

The fifties were a time of transition for the western genre. Quite a few were using stories that could have taken place anywhere, others kept to the tradition. Copper Canyon is a traditional western, but where no money was spared in the production, with great colors and top actors. Ray Milland is an entertainer (he shows his marksmanship on stage),that comes to a town to help confederates which are being discriminated after the war. Hedy Lamarr is the woman he falls for, very pretty, and during the film you keep wandering if she's not going back to being Delilah again and betray Milland. Macdonald Carey who used to be the leading actor in many westerns, is in a supporting role as the bad guy. This is a light, pleasant entertaining film.