The Maverick Queen

The Maverick Queen
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoseph Kane
Written byKenneth Gamet
DeVallon Scott
Based onnovel The Maverick Queen
by Zane Grey
Produced byJoseph Kane (assoc. producer)
StarringBarbara Stanwyck
Barry Sullivan
CinematographyJack A. Marta
Edited byRichard L. Van Enger
Music byVictor Young
Production
company
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release dates
  • April 4, 1956 (1956-04-04) (United States)
  • May 3, 1956 (1956-05-03) (Los Angeles)
  • June 21, 1956 (1956-06-21) (New York City)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Maverick Queen is a 1956 American Western film in Trucolor starring Barbara Stanwyck as the title character and Barry Sullivan as an undercover Pinkerton detective out to stop outlaws Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and the Wild Bunch. It was the first film made in Republic's widescreen process Naturama. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Zane Grey.

Plot

A stranger, calling himself Jeff Young, imposes on rancher Lucy Lee for a meal and a night's rest, then saves her from being robbed. Jeff helps deliver her cattle to town, where he encounters Kit Banion running her saloon, The Maverick Queen.

Kit is secretly in cahoots with the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang, led by Butch Cassidy and Sundance, and a jealous Sundance is angered when Jeff beats him at poker and attracts romantic interest from Kit, who offers Jeff a job as a faro dealer. He reveals he is actually Jeff Younger, a relative of the Younger Gang outlaws, and wants to help Kit and her associates with their illegal holdups.

Lucy is held captive by Sundance after a train robbery, and Jeff ends up killing him to save her. Holding off the other outlaws while their cabin is on fire, Jeff is helped by Kit, who is shot and dies in his arms. The posse arrives, whereupon Jeff confesses that he is actually a Pinkerton detective, working undercover to catch the thieves.

Cast

See also