Watch The Painted Hills
- G
- 1951
- 1 hr 30 min
-
4.2 (1,213)
In The Painted Hills, a 1951 Western film, a loyal collie named Pal helps his master, Jonathan Harvey (played by Paul Kelly), mine for gold in the remote hills of Oregon. The film is directed by Harold F. Kress and produced by MGM. Jonathan has been seeking his fortune for years, leaving his wife Martha (played by Ann Doran) and son Tommy (played by Gary Gray) back in San Francisco. When he finally strikes gold, he sends for Martha and Tommy to join him. But tragedy strikes on the way there, and Martha dies in a river crossing. Jonathan is left to raise Tommy alone.
Fortunately, Jonathan and Pal have each other. They form an unbreakable bond and work tirelessly in the mines. But when Jonathan is killed in a mining accident, Tommy is left alone again, with only Pal by his side.
Tommy befriends a kindly prospector named Lin Taylor (played by Bruce Cowling) and his dog Shep. Together, they try to make a go of the mine, but they're met with resistance from a group of local thugs who want to drive them out.
Pal, being the noble and intelligent dog he is, plays a key role in helping Tommy and Lin. His loyalty and fierce protection of Tommy help him ward off danger and protect his friends.
The film is shot on location in the stunning backcountry of Oregon, with gorgeous vistas of mountains and valleys. The rugged landscape serves as a dramatic backdrop to the story of loyalty, perseverance, and friendship.
The Painted Hills is not just a typical Western film — it's also a poignant family drama. The relationship between Jonathan and Tommy is touching, as is the bond between Tommy and Pal. The film is well-acted, with both human and animal performances that are convincing and heartfelt.
Even though it was made over 70 years ago, The Painted Hills still stands up as a memorable film. It's a beautiful story about the human-animal bond, and about the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Painted Hills is a 1951 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.
