Desire in the Dust (1960)

Desire in the Dust (1960)

  • 6.1
  • 102 mins
  • Drama

Storyline

Lonnie Wilson, the son of a toothless sharecropper, Zuba Wilson, returns to small southern hometown after spending six years on the chain-gang for killing Colonel Ben Marquand's son in an automobile accident. He revives his love affair with Melinda Marquand, who is now Mrs. Melinda Thomas, since she married Dr. Ned Thomas, while Lonnie was serving time, in her place, for the accident she caused. Somewhat miffed about all this, Lonnie incites Dr. Ned about his wife's infidelity, which Dr. Ned verifies when he catches Lonnie and Melinda in a semi-torrid embrace in Colonel Marquand's hunting lodge. Melinda, looking for an explanation for this situation, shoots and wounds Lonnie to defend her innocence by claiming she was being raped. Colonel Marquand,who had bribed Lonnie to take the blame for his daughter, uses her story to try and have Sheriff Wheaton kill Lonnie, and put an end to all this mess. But there is another reel or two before this mess ends.—Les Adams



Short Review

Lots of Intrigue in this one about Deceit, Betrayal, & Corruption in a Southern Town.Although the name doesn't fit.A scheming beauty (Martha Hyer) Melinda Marquand uses her looks to Manipulate every man she ever meets.She gets Lonnie (Ken Scott) to do Time in Prison for her, taking the rap for a Car Accident that killed her little Brother in which she was responsible.Her Father, played brilliantly by Raymond Burr, is the Southern Towns Political Power House who taught her that everyone can be bought, that the Rich & Powerful are above the Law, & that all crimes can be covered up or manipulated.Not nice people.While Lonnie is in Prison, she Marries for Money and Power, instead of waiting for him as promised.Lonnie gets out of prison & runs to her open arms, she has relations with him, then shoots him & sets him up for Rape, and has the whole town on a man hunt after him.Evil sometimes has a Pretty Face


Trailer


Streaming Service

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