James Addison Reavis (1843-1914) was a real person who, as depicted in the movie, was found guilty of attempting to steal most of Arizona by forging land grant documents. He paid a fine of $5,000 and served two years in jail.
A May 24, 1939 Dorothy Manners column announced that Edward G. Robinson would be playing James Addison Reavis in the Warner Bros. film "Prince of Imposters" with Brenda Marshall co-starring and Anatole Litvak directing. The story would not be told until this 1950 version.
When asked what his favorites were among his own films, Vincent Price always named Laura (1944) first of all, but then usually added this little-known film, which had greatly intrigued him, and given him top-billing at a time in his career when he was usually confined to large supporting roles. He sometimes mentioned that he didn't regard Samuel Fuller as an important director, but was very fond of him, personally.
Shot in 15 days.
Print preserved by the Museum of Modern Art.
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