Niven Busch

Frank Chambers (John Garfield) is a drifter who lands at a roadside gas station owned by jolly old Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) and his young, blonde wife Cora (Lana Turner). In a matter of minutes, Frank and Cora fall in love, and plot to murder Nick. Eventually wedding bells ring, the body count rises, and the gavel slams-of course, nothing ever goes as planned. Part of what makes the film noir is watching the characters react, as their plans are...

In 1870s New Mexico Territory, megalomaniacal widowed ranch owner T.C. Jeffords butts heads with his daughter, Vance, a firebrand with serious daddy issues, over her dowry, choice of husband, and finally, ownership of the land itself.