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The Baron of Arizona facts for kids

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The Baron of Arizona is a 1950 American Western movie. It was directed by Samuel Fuller. The story for the movie came from a 1949 article by Homer Croy. This film stars actors like Vincent Price, Ellen Drew, and Beulah Bondi. Lippert Pictures distributed the movie.

What is "The Baron of Arizona" About?

This movie tells the story of a man named James Addison Reavis. He tried to trick the United States government. He wanted to claim a huge part of Arizona as his own land. He did this by creating fake documents. He pretended to be a Spanish baron. This meant he claimed to be a nobleman with a special title. He said his family had owned the land for a very long time.

Who Was James Addison Reavis?

James Addison Reavis was a real person. He was known for trying to commit a huge land fraud. He created many false papers. These papers looked like old Spanish land grants. He used them to try and prove his claim. His goal was to become very rich by selling parts of this land.

The Movie's Main Characters

  • Vincent Price plays James Addison Reavis. He is the main character who tries to trick everyone.
  • Ellen Drew plays Sofia De Peralta-Reavis. She is a woman who becomes part of Reavis's plan.
  • Vladimir Sokoloff plays Pepito. He is a character who helps Reavis.
  • Beulah Bondi plays Loma. She is another important character in the story.

The Director: Samuel Fuller

Samuel Fuller was a well-known American film director. He was famous for making movies with strong stories. He often directed action films and Westerns. "The Baron of Arizona" is one of his early Western movies.

Why is This Story Important?

The story of "The Baron of Arizona" shows how people tried to claim land in the American West. It also shows how important documents and legal papers were. The movie explores themes of greed and deception. It reminds us that not all claims to land were honest.

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