Stunts
Earthquake sequence is gloriously cheap practical effects.
Acting
Tim Holt's effortless cowboy charm carries the whole thing.

Director
George Archainbaud
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
George Archainbaud directed over 100 Westerns; this was one of five Tim Holt vehicles he cranked out in 1950 alone. Studio efficiency was EVERYTHING.
The 'treasure from Mexico' trope here echoes real post-war anxieties about resource extraction south of the border—packaged as harmless adventure for 1950 audiences.