To start off with, there are not one but TWO Duels on the Mississippi between hero Lex Barker and villain Warren Stevens, one with rapiers and the other with machetes.
The story takes place around 1820 in Louisiana where they were still using flint lock single shot weapons and rapiers. The Tulane sugar plantation is deep in debt and a $30, 000 note is fast coming due. Their sugar crop is stolen by thieves led by Hugo Marat (Warren Stevens) who is league with ex Jean Lafiite pirate Jacques Scarlett (Ian Keith) and his scheming daughter Lili (Patricia Medina).
Andre Tulane (Lex Barker) catches Lili at the scene of the robbery and an immediate attraction ensues. Scarlett offers to buy the Tulane plantation but Jules Tulane (John Dehner) refuses. The scheming Lili has come into possession of the Tulane note. In order to prevent his ailing father from being sent to debtor's prison, Andre is forced to agree to three years of servitude to Lili. She takes full advantage of the situation riding him to the point of frustration. Following the court proceedings, Andre challenges Hugo, a master swordsman, to a duel. Lili referees the match and manages to save Andre from Hugo' blade.
Andre and his friend fellow plantation owner Rene Lafarge (Craig Stevens) plan a scheme to trap Marat and his bandits. But they are double crossed and Hugo and his gang makes off with Lafarge's sugar crop. Andre and Lafarge trail the bandits to Scarlett's riverboat where a second duel takes place and....................................................................................
Most of the supporting cast speak with thick French accents, the principals do not. Barker, a former Tarzan seems out of place here. Medina as always, is a charming little schemer. Warren Stevens is a formidable villain. Veteran performer Ian Keith almost steals the picture as the roguish ex-pirate.
Director William Castle keeps the story moving in this little 72 minute actioner. With its modest budget, the set pieces are surprisingly good. The plantation (with period costumes) and the riverboat sequences are well done. One of Castle's better efforts.
The story takes place around 1820 in Louisiana where they were still using flint lock single shot weapons and rapiers. The Tulane sugar plantation is deep in debt and a $30, 000 note is fast coming due. Their sugar crop is stolen by thieves led by Hugo Marat (Warren Stevens) who is league with ex Jean Lafiite pirate Jacques Scarlett (Ian Keith) and his scheming daughter Lili (Patricia Medina).
Andre Tulane (Lex Barker) catches Lili at the scene of the robbery and an immediate attraction ensues. Scarlett offers to buy the Tulane plantation but Jules Tulane (John Dehner) refuses. The scheming Lili has come into possession of the Tulane note. In order to prevent his ailing father from being sent to debtor's prison, Andre is forced to agree to three years of servitude to Lili. She takes full advantage of the situation riding him to the point of frustration. Following the court proceedings, Andre challenges Hugo, a master swordsman, to a duel. Lili referees the match and manages to save Andre from Hugo' blade.
Andre and his friend fellow plantation owner Rene Lafarge (Craig Stevens) plan a scheme to trap Marat and his bandits. But they are double crossed and Hugo and his gang makes off with Lafarge's sugar crop. Andre and Lafarge trail the bandits to Scarlett's riverboat where a second duel takes place and....................................................................................
Most of the supporting cast speak with thick French accents, the principals do not. Barker, a former Tarzan seems out of place here. Medina as always, is a charming little schemer. Warren Stevens is a formidable villain. Veteran performer Ian Keith almost steals the picture as the roguish ex-pirate.
Director William Castle keeps the story moving in this little 72 minute actioner. With its modest budget, the set pieces are surprisingly good. The plantation (with period costumes) and the riverboat sequences are well done. One of Castle's better efforts.