Duel on the Mississippi

In bustling era of 19th-century Louisiana, sugar is as valuable as gold, and pirates like Lili Scarlet (Patricia Medina) will do anything to get it. After robbing Jules Tulane's (John Dehner) estate of his crop, Scarlet takes over Tulane's land debt and forces him to pay or go to prison. In exchange for postponing his debt, Scarlet allows Tulane's son, André (Lex Barker), to work as her servant. When André and Scarlet fall in love, it leads to jealous rage from Scarlet's former paramour, expert swordsman Hugo (Warren Stevens) - and when Hugo looks to raid the Tulane estate again, it is up to André and Scarlet to take him down and save the estate.

River pirates, planters, saloon brawl featuring ladies fighting, gamblers and a sword duel - you get all this in this entertaining little film that is set in an era not normally covered. Lex Barker plays the stalwart hero who becomes Patricia Medina's slave - what a tough proposition- in exchange for suspension of his father's debt and Patricia Medina plays Lili Scarlet, and she's the best thing here- she totally leads in her role. It's a pleasing film with an interesting subject and a strong flavour. There's a vigorous machete fight at the finale.