This fairly light-hearted early Ross Hunter production is an everyday tale of competitive capitalism in the wild west, with a jaunty score, fisticuffs and a heroine with a drunken old father, who (SPOILER COMING:) for once makes it alive to the end. You'll have forgotten it all within five minutes, but it passes the time agreeably.

Set in Goldfield , Nevada , Pete Menlo : Howard Duff owns some gold claims , then there appears his old friend Andy Martin : Lex Barker, and yet again rekindle their past friendship . Along the way , Pete is interested in Nevada Wray : Mala Powers but she has a crush on Andy . Wray is daughter of the likeable poker player and miner Jackpot : William Demarest who has the rights on a valuable mine in which the mean Bannon : John McIntire has put his eyes . Ruled by the lust for gold... and the promise of a woman ! . When gold-fever gripped the wild frontier ...When frontier flamed with the lure of gold..and a woman unclaimed lips ! .

An agreeable and sympathetic Western in buddy movie style starred by two good friends , though one of them eventually , follows the way of the badness and betrayal . This is a decent Western about confrontation among miners , owners and greedy prospectors, packing drama , noisy action , fights and shootouts . Concerning ambition and claims robbing about a valuable mine coveted by various ambitious owners. A simple and plain Western with nothing especial , but being worthwhile and enjoyable enough . Stars Lex Barker who jumped to fame thanks to Tarzan movies , and starring in Westerns as Apache's Last Battle and A place called Glory . He emigrated to Europe where played all kinds of genres outstanding the following ones : Executioner of Venice , La Dolce Vita , The Black Devils of Kali, Pirates of the Coast, Mission in Morocco, Torture Chamber of Dr Sadism , The Invisible Dr Mabuse, The Return Dr Mabuse . The good-looking Lex Baker is accompaniexpd by two nice main actors as Howard Duff as the intimate friend and Mala Powers as the damsel in distress who has put her eyes for the main star . And a long plethora of notorious secondaries , such as John McIntire , William Demarest , William Fawcett , Denver Pyle and the prolific and frequent baddie Leo Gordon .

It displays a brilliant ciinematography in Technicolor by George Robinson. As well as atmospheric and evocative musical score from uncredited Henry Mancini , Herman Stein , Stanley Wilson, Universal's ordiinary composers . The motion picture was well produced by Universal International Pictures and Ross Hunter who subsequently financed the usual Douglas Sirk dramas . Being professionally directed by Jesse Hibbs , providing a funcional and decent Western , giving entertainment and amusement enough . Hibbs directed various Audie Murphy vehicles as Walk the Proud Land , Ride Clear of Diablo and his greatest hit : To Hell and Back . Rating : 6/10 . Acceptable and passable Western that will appeal to aficionados .

The Yellow Mountain is directed by Jesse Hibbs and collectively written by George Zuckerman, Russell Hughes, Robert Blees and Harold Channing Wire. It stars Lex Barker, Mala Powers, Howard Duff, William Demarest, John McIntire and Leo Gordon. Music is by Joseph Gershenson and cinematography by George Robinson.

The yellow mountain of the title is in Goldfield, Nevada, and there is gold up there in that thar mountain. There are two local factions in opposition for mining superiority, something is clearly going to have to give...

She thinks I'm a philanthropist.

Lovely tidy Oater this one, it's for the discerning Western fan who has a love for the 1950s boon of the genre. It begins with a fun punch - up as Barker's Andy Martin arrives in town and renews his fremeny relationship with Duff's Pete Menlo, and of course the presence of the gorgeous Nevada Wray (Powers) muddies the testosterone waters still further. Uneasy alliances will be formed and director Hibbs slots in some Western staples (chase/fights/stare-downs etc) as the story progresses, with some very nifty stunt work into the bargain.

Technical credits are way above average. Barker has left Tarzan behind and is playing cowboy, and he's OK, but more of a presence than a fleshy character. Main problem for Barker is the strength of the supporting cast who outshine him. McIntire and Gordon are the weasels, which is always a bonus for Western fans, while Duff and Demarest, the latter of which owns the film, give great character driven turns. With nice outdoor scenery photographed around the Mojave Desert and appealing costuming on show, production is as safe as a brick out-house.

Stoic fans of Westerns will know exactly where it's all going to end up, but formula is fine if the journey is fun and engaging, such is the case here. It isn't going to make anyone's top 100 Westerns list, but genre fans should catch it if they can. 7/10