El Puma, a Mexican desert guide, escorts an archaeological expedition headed by Professor Lucius Lloyd through the Indian badlands of Mexico. Marian, the professor's niece accompanies the party as only she can translate the Aztec writings in the diary of her father, murdered on a similar expedition six years previous. The professor is murdered by a knife, and the weapon is recognized as the property of El Puma. Magpie, a Federal Investigator, knows that El Puma is really "Lightnin' Bill' Carson, a former federal agent who has been missing since Marian's father was slain. The reluctant Magpie believes that his old pal is guilty. Carson sets out to prove otherwise.
Acting
Tim McCoy's granite jaw doing all the heavy lifting.
Direction
Sam Newfield shot this in a week, and it shows beautifully.
Writing
Aztec curses, fake identities, zero time to breathe.
Director
Sam Newfield
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Sam Newfield directed over 250 films, often under pseudonyms so theaters wouldn't notice one man made half their programming.
Tim McCoy was a genuine Wyoming rancher who spoke fluent Arapaho—here he's 'Mexican' because 1939 casting had zero rules.
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