NOTES: This was one of Albert Zugsmith's two Mexican-made films (The Chinese Room was the other). Both pictures feature Mexican performers who spoke English, although The Phantom Gunslinger also brought in a few Hollywood actors (Donahue, Sabrina, Billy Frick). Both films were released in English-language and Spanish-language versions, although the extent of their U.S. theatrical release is not known (García Riera says The Phantom Gunslinger was never released in the U.S.). I have not been able to find either an English-language copy of The Chinese Room or either version of The Phantom Gunslinger, so anyone who does have these films, contact me!

Zugsmith's post-Hollywood career has not been very well documented. After he dropped out of the mainstream industry in the early 1960s, Zugsmith made a number of obscure independent "adults-only" pictures before traveling to Mexico for these two productions. These films do not appear in most English-language film references and the material on Zugsmith's activities in this era is very sparse.

The Phantom Gunslinger is set in the town of "Tucca Flats." The peaceful life of the town is disrupted by the arrival of a gang of bandits, including Algernon, Big Sam, Cookie, and some others. The sheriff leaves town, but not before naming Bill as his successor. Bill, unfortunately, doesn't carry or even know how to use a gun, and the outlaws take over Tucca Flats. But with the help of some Indians, a suit of armor, and springs on his shoes, Bill manages to run the gang out of town. The wedding of Bill and Margie is underway when the outlaws return; Margie is kidnaped and Bill is shot and killed. He goes to heaven, and is sent back down to Earth. Back on Earth, Bill and one of the outlaws kill each other, and Bill goes back to heaven! Once more he is given back his life and sent down to Tucca Flats. This time, he is "arrested" and put in jail by outlaw Cookie, who is revealed to be a woman when she and Bill kiss. Bill escapes from jail and a general melee ensues. The outlaws, Bill, and Margie all fall into an "infernal cave" (cueva infernal), where it develops that one of the outlaws (Germán Robles) is the Devil! But an explosion sends Bill, Margie, and Cookie up to heaven. (This description is based on the synopsis in Emilio García Riera's Historia documental del cine mexicano)

I have seen a few stills and lobby cards for this film, but none feature Elizabeth Campbell. From García Riera's plot description, it seems that Campbell may have been "disguised" as a man for much of the picture.

For now, The Phantom Gunslinger has to be considered a "lost" film, but I am hopeful someone out there will prove me wrong and turn up a copy!

Back to the Elizabeth Campbell Films Page.

Added 7 May 2000 by D. Wilt (dw45@umail.umd.edu).