Durango gunfighter
The studio’s original title for this western feature in Naturama was DURANGO GUNFIGHTER, but I suppose that gives away the ending. So the more generic title DUEL AT APACHE WELLS was used instead; but I think an astute viewer will catch on rather quickly that prodigal son Johnny Shattuck (Ben Cooper) is returning to the ranch owned by his pa (Harry Shannon) after four years in Mexico as the Durango Kid.
Part of what makes the story work so well is we are given hints that Cooper’s character is fast with a gun. He shoots a rattlesnake at one point— but we never see Johnny draw on another person until the end.
In fact, his gun is taken away from him in the beginning when he’s hazed by some rowdy men and their boss (Jim Davis). Davis bullies the kid so badly during these initial scenes we may be fooled into thinking Johnny is a weakling and later a coward since he doesn’t exactly stand up and defend his pa when a range war breaks out. Even after his pa’s been shot by Davis and rushed to a doctor, Johnny is slow to take action.
It’s a great way to tell a story in this genre, with all the western tropes in evidence but some of the audience’s expectations not immediately rewarded. The audience is expecting a tale about what makes a hero, or at least what makes someone righteous.
But Cooper’s character appears to be unheroic and not righteous— certainly not vengeful— till an eventual showdown with Davis in the desert, where he finally reveals he is the Durango Kid. And then he’s fast, super fast; Davis’ character doesn’t stand a chance. Davis does such a superb job playing the villain that his death is justice of the highest order.
If this film had been directed by Nicholas Ray, shots probably would have lingered on Cooper’s physique and there would have been some not so subtle sexual elements. If this film had been directed by Anthony Mann, it would have been overloaded with shadowy psychological vibes. If this film had been directed by Sam Peckinpah, it would have contained a lot of violence.
But this film was directed by Republic’s best in-house director, Joe Kane; and all he’s interested in doing is telling a story about a young man who carries out justice. There is not a lot of shooting, no excessive killings. As a matter of fact, Davis is the only one who dies in the film. This is a simple, straightforward western with a powerful message about standing up to a bully.
The leading lady is played by Italian singer Anna Maria Alberghetti. Republic had cast her a year earlier in the western action drama THE LAST COMMAND opposite Sterling Hayden. These were the only western feature films she made, and she plays a Latina character in both. Alberghetti projects a lovely wholesome quality, and she works very nicely on screen with Cooper, especially during the marriage scene that concludes the picture. After the newlyweds ride off in a stagecoach, we are left with the feeling that all is right with the world.
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