The Secret of Convict Lake

In the 1870s, a band of escaped convicts seize control of a Californian town, largely populated by women, in the American West. The Western film, titled The Secret of Convict Lake, features Glenn Ford and Gene Tierney in leading roles.

The Secret of Convict Lake is a programme presented as a Western‑style movie. It tells a self‑contained story set in the American West, with the action unfolding in a small Californian settlement. The film’s tone and setting place it firmly within the classic genre of frontier narratives. The central plot follows a band of escaped convicts who seize control of a town that is unusually dominated by women. These prisoners, on the run, move into the community and impose their authority, creating a tense standoff between the outlaws and the townsfolk. The storyline concentrates on this clash, highlighting how the residents respond to the sudden occupation of their homes. Set in the 1870s, the narrative situates the events against the backdrop of post‑Civil War California, a period marked by rapid growth and shifting social dynamics. The town’s largely female population adds a distinctive element to the conflict, underscoring the unusual circumstances faced by the characters. By focusing on this specific historical moment and locale, the film offers a snapshot of frontier life where lawlessness and community resilience intersect.