Absolutely Fantastic

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Originally, Farrow and Latimer were to continue their association with Ray Milland in Jack of Diamonds. Latimer had already written the screenplay (based on a story by Berne Giler), a contemporary thriller casting Milland as a thief who steals from the Manhattan gem center, when the actor was called to MGM for A Life of Her Own. Paramount lost interest in the project and when Milland returned, it was decided to showcase him in a western instead. The idea of making him a trick-shooter was doubtless inspired by Milland's real-life ability, but unfortunately the script shows many signs of being prepared in considerable haste. "Copper Canyon", Milland's last film with Farrow, is also his least interesting. Yet oddly it was the movie that Universal chose to showcase in their first Farow-Milland DVD release, instead of Farrow's masterpiece, The Big Clock - a movie that figures on everyone's list of the top noir motion pictures ever made! On the other hand, the leading characters in "Copper Canyon" are little more than stock figures - particularly heroine and villain - and some supporting lights are so shadowy, they barely exist at all (Mona Freeman). Other characters and situations are introduced and then not developed. What is worse is that there is very little tension. Not only does the plot have a foregone conclusion, but the characters are so superficially drawn they seem to have no real feeling - and engage no sympathetic response from the audience.Fortunately, the film is not all stock characters in stock situations. There are pleasing incidentals. Milland's trick-shooting gives the hero an interesting edge and his umbrella of a second-rate theatrical company makes for some amusing saloon-pieces which director Farrow handles with obvious relish. The action material too is vigorously staged (including one unforgettable stunt at the climax). But despite some characteristic long takes, dramatic compositions, arresting high angle shots and even a bit of fluid camerawork, you can sense that Farrow's heart is not really involved in the superficial plot. Milland acts with his usual poise, Lamarr is coldly efficient and Carey is okay as a scruffy villain. The support players do their utmost to take advantage of their limited opportunities, but only Erno Verebes ("I'm the professor!") and Maxine Gates as an overweight chorus girl are really allowed to shine. Photographed in pleasantly-hued color on some rugged locations, Copper Canyon is a quite passable western on its own account - but a disappointing end to the Farrow-Milland-Latimer collaboration which produced such masterpieces as The Big Clock and Alias Nick Beal.

Plot-- An ex-Confederate officer turned trick-shot artist is enlisted by townsfolk looking to get their copper ore past a crooked sheriff and his men. At the same time, he has to deal with a glamorous saloon girl whose allegiance sort of wobbles.When I think westerns, LaMarr and Milland don't come readily to mind. Here they're just okay, though I'm sure their names looked good on the marquee. Though Milland can project grit, he's too laid-back (unmotivated?) here to anchor an action movie. He's better when he's just a smooth trick-shot artist. Then too, LaMarr projects a lot more beauty than the emotion needed for her tricky role. Her part unfortunately calls for a stronger, more Stanwyck-type personality, as others point out. Nonetheless, the production does have two things going for it. First is the great red rock scenery of Sedona, AZ, familiar from a hundred other big budget oaters, but well- staged and photographed here. Second is Macdonald Carey who delivers much needed spark and energy as the conniving bad guy. Then too, no film that includes exotica like the gnomish Percy Helton (Scamper) or the amazonian Hope Emerson (Ma Tarbet) can afford to be overlooked.Anyway, the movie's a decent time-passer, but lacks the tightness and force needed to really register.

Hedy Lamarr decided to go west following in the footsteps of Marlene Dietrich who saw Destry Rides Again rejuvenate her career. I'm sure that was why she decided to do Copper Canyon where she was saloon girl villainess who falls big time for fancy sharp shooter Ray Milland who brings his trick shot act into her town and saloon.Milland arouses the jealousy of crooked sheriff Macdonald Carey. But Milland has a past of his own. He's a former Confederate colonel who robbed a Yankee payroll in escaping before the war ended. He's a hunted man for that reason though the local hunter, army lieutenant Harry Carey, Jr. really hasn't got his heart in the job. Milland's been sent for because the local copper mine smelter with the connivance of Carey has been exploiting the Confederate veterans. His prowess with weapons comes in mighty handy before the film is over.It's a good, not great western, but the reason it became popular because of the title tune which is heard, but not sung in the soundtrack. Young Teresa Brewer had a hit record of it back in the day.Copper Canyon didn't really give Hedy Lamarr the Dietrich like assist in her career. Still she does fine and it's a good Saturday afternoon film for enjoyment.

I like Copper Canyon, it's one of my favorite westerns. Admittedly the plot is somewhat convoluted and the acting, although competent, is not outstanding. I think I mainly like the cast. Hedy Lamarr is gorgeous -- as usual -- Mona Freeman was one of Hollywood's prettiest blondes, and Ray Milland is the suave, dashing hero. At the time it was made, Copper Canyon was just one of many westerns ground out during Hollywood's Golden Age, although a bit more stylish than most. But, like most Golden Age movies, it's fun to watch -- which I can't say about most movies made these days.