Canyon Crossroads (1955)
A maverick engineer, a determined woman, and a ruthless claim-jumper collide in this gripping uranium-rush Western from 1955.
Canyon Crossroads - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1955
- Directed by: Alfred L. Werker
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western, Action
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 23m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1955 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: United Artists, Bel-Air Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Canyon Crossroads - Plot
A mining engineer, who is shunned by his peers for his unorthodox beliefs concerning the whereabouts of large uranium deposits, joins forces with a girl and her father to search for the mineral. When the father is hurt in an accident, daughter and engineer continue the project, aided by a Native American guide. Unbeknownst to the group, a reputable citizen of the town, really of low moral value, is shadowing them, his intention to jump their claim.
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Canyon Crossroads - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alfred L. Werker
Main Cast
- Richard Basehart
- Phyllis Kirk
- Stephen Elliott
- Russell Collins
- Richard Hale
- Tommy Cook
- William Pullen
- Alan Wells
- Charles Wagenheim
Writers
- Laurence Heath
- Emmett Murphy
Canyon Crossroads - FAQs
What is Canyon Crossroads about?
Canyon Crossroads follows a mining engineer dismissed by his peers for his unconventional ideas about uranium deposits. He teams up with a young woman and her father to pursue the find. When danger closes in and a corrupt townsman schemes to steal their claim, the stakes become very personal.
Who are the main actors in Canyon Crossroads?
Richard Basehart leads the cast as Larry Kendall, the determined mining engineer, alongside Phyllis Kirk as Katherine Rand. Supporting roles are filled by Russell Collins, Stephen Elliott, Richard Hale, Tommy Cook, William Pullen, Alan Wells, and Charles Wagenheim.
Where can you stream Canyon Crossroads?
You can watch Canyon Crossroads on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. It's also available through ScreenPix on both Apple TV Channel and Amazon Channel, so there are several easy ways to catch this classic uranium-rush Western.
Is Canyon Crossroads based on a true story?
Canyon Crossroads is a fictional story, but it taps into a very real mid-1950s cultural moment. The post-war uranium boom in the American Southwest was a genuine phenomenon, with prospectors flooding canyon country chasing government-backed uranium contracts, lending the film a grounded, topical energy.
When was Canyon Crossroads released?
Canyon Crossroads was released on January 1, 1955, in the United States. It arrived at a time when Cold War anxieties made uranium prospecting a genuinely exciting and culturally resonant subject, giving the film a timely edge that set it apart from conventional Westerns of the era.
What makes Canyon Crossroads different from typical Westerns?
Rather than cattle drives or gunfighters, Canyon Crossroads centers on the 1950s uranium rush, blending classic Western adventure with Cold War-era science and prospecting intrigue. The Native American guide character and the claim-jumping villain give it a layered moral dimension unusual for B-Westerns of its time.
Who directed Canyon Crossroads?
Canyon Crossroads was directed by Alfred L. Werker, a seasoned Hollywood filmmaker with decades of experience across genres. Werker brought a confident, no-nonsense hand to this outdoor adventure, making the most of the rugged canyon locations and keeping the story's tension tightly wound throughout.
How long is Canyon Crossroads?
Canyon Crossroads runs for 83 minutes, making it a lean, efficiently told adventure. At just under an hour and a half, it moves at a brisk pace that keeps the uranium-hunt plot and its scheming villain engaging from start to finish without overstaying its welcome.
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