Warner Bros.’ “South Of St. Louis”,
Technicolor Epic, Opening Soon
An action-jammed historical adventure yarn set in the lawless period of the Southwest following the War Between the States “South of St. Louis,” filmed in Technicolor, soon comes to the King’s Theatre headed by a four-star cast including Joel McCrea, Alexis Smith, Zachary Scott and Dorothy Malone. The picture is a United States Pictures Production released by Warner Bros.
Besides the quartet of stars, Victory Jory, Alan Hale, Douglas Kennedy, Art Smith, Bob Steele, Monte Blue and Paul Maxey are featured. Ray Enright directed. Milton Sperling produced.
“South of St. Louis” was the no-man’s land of the Civil War it was that vast area of Texas and the Southwest in which for the most part, the war was fought on both sides. The film depicts the taut, personal drama of three hard-riding men of the range, set against the violent background of the open spaces. Smuggling was rampant then and the reckless tempo of the time made life exciting and dangerous.
McCrea play Kip Davis whose purpose in the lusty tale is to restore the ranching land burned and pillaged by guerrillas in Union hire. Miss Smith departs from her usual roles to that of a flamboyant entertainer of the old west. As Rouge de Lisle, this beautiful blone star displays a completely new side, to her talents. Zach Scott plays a cowboy, not exactly a new role, as he hails from Texas and spent many of his younger years on a ranch. Miss Malone completing the roster of stars, is cast as Deboran, who is loved by McCrea but who loves another.
Most of the film was shot on “location,” at the Warner ranch in Calabasas, California, at Victoryille and in the San Fermando valley. Some of the greatest action spectacle scenes to be filmed last year were made, with a great cast, scores of horses, in western panoramic settings enhanced by gorgeous Technicolor.