Wild Cat (1962) **Director:** Harry Keller **Studio:** Universal Pictures (produced), distributed by Universal‑International **Starring:** Ben Lane, Frank Jesse, Kelly **Release Date:** 28 March 1962 (San Francisco premiere); 24 April 1962 (New York) **Runtime:** 80 minutes **Format:** Color **Country:** United States **Language:** English **Genres:** Western | Adventure --- ### Summary: In **Wild Cat (1962)**, professional wrangler **Ben Lane** finds himself in danger after lassoing a wild horse. He's nearly hanged by a band of outlaws, but is rescued by the gunman **Frank Jesse**. The unlikely pair soon meets **Kelly**, a determined woman who hires them to guide her through perilous Indian territory to reach her husband. Along the way, they’re pushed to their limits—forced to take refuge in a ruined mission and fend off aggressive attacks. As the conflict unfolds, shocking truths surface: Kelly reveals her husband is dead—and that Frank may be responsible. A tense showdown ensues amid betrayal and survival instincts. --- ### Background: This mid‑century Western reflects the era’s classic adventure‑drama formula, where unlikely alliances, frontier lawlessness, and hidden agendas converge. Directed by **Harry Keller**, a reliable helmer from Universal’s stable, it offered solid craftsmanship in production and storytelling. Filmed in Eastman Color, it exemplified the studio’s investment in lush visuals, even for moderately budgeted Westerns. Universal‑International both produced and distributed the film, pointing to a streamlined in-house process. --- ### Trivia: * Kelly’s journey includes a dramatic moment at a desolate mission—a popular trope in Westerns symbolizing both sanctuary and moral confrontation. * The film explores themes of **revenge**, **trust**, and **hidden guilt**, with a narrative twist revealing the hired gun isn't all as heroic as he seems. * Released in spring 1962, the film likely played as a secondary feature, typical of Universal’s Western offerings at the time. --- ### Hashtags: #WildCat1962 #HarryKeller #ClassicWestern #UniversalPictures #AdventureFilm #Wrangler #WesternDrama #1960sCinema