The Eagle and the Hawk (1950 film)

The Eagle and the Hawk is a 1950 American Western film directed by Lewis R. Foster and written by Lewis R. Foster and Daniel Mainwaring. The film stars John Payne, Rhonda Fleming, Dennis O'Keefe, Thomas Gomez, Fred Clark and Frank Faylen. The film was released on May 30, 1950, by Paramount Pictures.

Plot
In 1863, Governor Francis Lubbock (Grandon Rhodes) of Texas has asked Todd Croyden (John Payne) of the Texas Rangers to spring a Union Army spy from a Confederate camp and bring him back. France is trying to seize Mexico and the governor is aiding the latter's defense effort. Guns and ammo are being stolen in Corales, so the governor wants the Ranger and the spy, Whitney Randolph (Dennis O'Keefe), to investigate. Croyden doesn't much care for Randolph, who wins his horse and harmonica gambling on the trail.

While crossing the Rio Grande, they end up held at gunpoint by a woman, Madeline Danzeeger (Rhonda Fleming), whose wagon is stuck. After helping her, they learn that a former German army officer also named Danzeeger, likely her father, is working with a Mexican general, Liguras (Thomas Gomez), for big money. Croyden locates the missing munitions at Basil Danzeeger's (Fred Clark) ranch, but foreman Red Hyatt (Frank Faylen) is suspicious of him. A fire set by Croyden and Randolph destroys the gunpowder, but Madeline turns out to be Basil's wife and takes them prisoner. Red Hyatt tries to kill Croyden by tying him to two wild horses. Randolph dies while saving him.

Madeline has a change of heart, having fallen in love with Croyden, and is shot by her husband. Basil and Liguras end up in a fight to the death fatal to both, and, luckily, it appears Madeline will recover.

Cast

 * John Payne as Captain Todd Croyden
 * Rhonda Fleming as Mrs. Madeline Danzeeger
 * Dennis O'Keefe as Whitney Randolph
 * Thomas Gomez as General Liguras (The Hawk)
 * Fred Clark as Basil Danzeeger
 * Frank Faylen as Red' Hyatt, Danzeeger's Foreman
 * Eduardo Noriega as Roberto the Cobbler
 * Grandon Rhodes as Texas Governor Francis Lubbock
 * Walter Reed as Jones

Production
Pine-Thomas were so pleased with the film they wanted to reteam Payne, Fleming and O'Keefe in more movies as a version of the "Road To..." movies.