The Law and Jake Wade

The Law and Jake Wade is a 1958 Metrocolor western released by MGM in CinemaScope, based on the 1956 novel by Marvin H. Albert and directed by John Sturges. The title character, Jake Wade (Robert Taylor) is a now reformed town sheriff marshal with a past that will soon catch up with him. Before he is able to marry and live peacefully with his bride-to-be, Peggy Carter (Patricia Owens), an old shadowy friend, Clint Hollister (Richard Widmark), escapes from jail. Jake is methodically stalked by his psychotic ex-partner, who makes it clear that he wants the cash from the gang's previous heist, which the now reformed Jake later buried. Wade leads Hollister on a tedious voyage to recover the loot, having brought along Peggy as leverage. Soon enough all goes to hell when the trio finds Indians who have taken refuge in the ghost town where the money is buried. The film was shot on location in California's High Sierra mountain range, Lone Pine and Death Valley. This movie was Robert Taylor's last A-picture as the top-billed lead.