Copyright 7 August 1962 by Associated Producers, Inc. Released through 20th Century Fox Film Corp.: 15 August 1962. No New York opening. U.K. release: 24 March 1963. Australian release: 6 December 1962. 63 minutes. The Australian censor cut the film to 5,509 feet or 61 minutes in order to qualify the film for a "General Exhibition" certificate. The Australian distributor, however, cut the film further by exactly 500 feet down to 5,009 feet or 55½ minutes in order to enhance the picture's prospects as a support. The movie opened in Sydney as a support at Hoyt's flagship, the Regent.
NOTES: Filmed on locations in the California Sierras.
COMMENT: A minor film — but surprisingly well done in every department. The direction is highly efficient with occasional flashes of brilliance, the acting is competent, the music score marvelous and the location photography superb. Production values are top-drawer.
OTHER VIEWS: Has Hollywood finally found an actor to replace the fabled Rudolph Valentino? An emphatic "Yes" is the opinion of producer-director Maury Dexter, who discovered a Valentino look- alike named Valentin de Vargas for the lead role in his action-drama The Firebrand.
"I was all set to begin a gigantic talent search," says producer Dexter; "I simply couldn't find an available actor to fill the picture's title role — that of Joaquin Murieta, the fiery Latin outlaw who literally burned his place in the history of California's Gold Rush.
"One night," Dexter continues, "I happened to be watching the 'Ben Casey' TV show, when suddenly voila! There was my Joaquin Murieta — Valentin de Vargas — playing a doctor!... I thought for a moment it was Rudolph Valentino incarnate!"
A colorful character in the Robin Hood tradition, Joaquin Murieta actually lived during the time of California's great Gold Rush. When treasure seeking hordes poured west into California and dispossessed its Spanish-speaking inhabitants, Murieta rose to lead his people in retaliation. In a lawless territory the only effective defense was terror, and Murieta instituted a reign of "anti-gringo" terror that made him both the hero of the downtrodden and the most feared outlaw of his time.
Screen veteran Kent Taylor portrays the head of the California Rangers, a group whose ruthless tactics equaled those of Murieta's outlaw band. Young Peruvian actress Lisa Montell plays Murieta's beautiful sweetheart, and Chubby Johnson fills the role of an old sourdough whose lack of will-power triggers the picture's violent climax. - Fox publicity.
P.S. Needless to say, Valentin de Vargas, did not become another Rudolph Valentino. In fact, although he did have a few roles in more important pictures such as "Hatari" (1962) and "Hellfighters" (1968), he failed to make much of an impression.
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