Movie spotlight
20 Mule Team
It is 1892 in Death Valley and the yields from the Borax ore are getting so small that refining it is a losing proposition. The only thing that will save the company is a new deposit of high grade Borax, and Skinner Bill Bragg has a pouch of it that he got from a dead prospector he buried on the road. Stag Roper knows the value of the strike could be worth millions, but he needs Bragg to find the prospector's claim so they can record it and become rich partners. While Roper has no intention of cutting Bragg in on the millions, he also has his eye on young Jean Johnson. Josie Johnson, Jean's mother, sees Roper as the scalawag he is, and that means trouble in Furnace Flat.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1870s Arizona, grizzled mule skinner Bill Jackson is hired by a wealthy rancher to transport a valuable herd of horses. However, he soon finds himself in conflict with a ruthless outlaw gang led by the notorious Jake Moran, who seeks to steal the horses. Jackson must use all his cunning and strength to protect his cargo and the innocent people caught in the crossfire.
Critical Reception
A solid, if somewhat formulaic, Western that benefits from the presence of Wallace Beery. It offers standard adventure and action elements typical of the era's Westerns, with a focus on the harsh desert landscape and the bond between man and beast.
What Reviewers Say
Wallace Beery anchors the film with his familiar tough-guy persona.
The film delivers expected Western action and adventure with a focus on outdoor scenery.
A straightforward story with predictable plot points.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film famously showcases the use of 20-mule teams for hauling borax from desert mines, a method that became iconic due to the marketing of Pacific Coast Borax Company.
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