While the chemistry between stars Jane Russell and Jeff Chandler is undeniable, they are taking part in a story that really has no point. Impulsively marrying the Native American Chandler whom she meets in Arizona, Russell gets more than she bargained for thanks to his jealous streak and suspicions. While learning to adjust to their cultural differences, Russell signs that he can't adjust to her. He's jealous of every man that she talks to, making violent accusations along the way. Only through the help of some wise Native American women who know how to deal with the temper of Native American men can help her deal with the situation and make him realize that his jealousies are unfounded.

That's pretty much all the story line that the film has, and while both stars are gorgeous to look at, physical attractiveness does not necessarily make for a thoroughly engaging drama. It has elements of 1950 soap opera that are easily resolved, and one sequence with Russell discussing the situation with a Native American elder is quite touching.

There is an intriguing performance however, by Dan Duryea as the one man whom Chandler is most obsessed with jealousy over. His supporting character actually is more interesting than the two leading characters and that is a fault of the mediocre script. Still, it's gorgeous to look at in that wonderful 1950 Technicolor and it's also interesting to hear Chandler singing the same song over the credits. However, Chandler was better playing the Native American who befriends James Stewart in the Western classic broken hero which made him a star. Russell could attract attention by flipping pancakes, and you know nobody would be watching for scoop.

I'm guessing that Universal Pictures having Jeff Chandler his most famous role as the great Apache warrior chief Cochise win a Best Supporting Actor nomination for another studio must have decided that he would be suited also to play a modern day mixed racial caucasian and Apache. I don't think anyone else was considered for Foxfire. And of course there was the opportunity to work with Jane Russell.

Russell who is billed first because Howard Hughes must have insisted plays a New York socialite who while in Arizona meets up with Chandler who is a mining engineer and Dan Duryea who is the company doctor in a mining town. Both are interested, but Russell only sees Chandler at first.

Something about his stoicism which the Apache culture breeds into its men is attractive at first. But after a while she can't communicate with her husband who is obsessed with finding a fabled gold mine on the reservation which will enrich his tribe. Waiting in the wings is Duryea who's a rebound man from way back.

The leads are good, but in her few scenes as an aged dowager Indian princess and Chandler's mother is Celia Lovsky who steals the film. Also Duryea's nurse is played by Mara Corday. who has a few well chosen lines.

Fox Fire as a romance novel sold a few copies and between Chandler's stoicism and Jane Russell's two weapons of mass destruction I'm sure did well at the box office. As a treatise on interracial marriage it holds up well today.

New York socialite Amanda Dartland (Jane Russell) is stranded when her car breaks down. Jonathan Dartland (Jeff Chandler) and his drunken friend Dr. Hugh Slater stop to pick up the beauty. She is dismissive of the local natives and he hides his half-Indian roots at first. His mother is Princess Saba of the Apaches.

I turned around and the leads are suddenly getting married. There is no dating drama. There is no breakup and no makeup drama. It's missing all the good parts. I like the start where she's a bit of a racist and he's a bit of a stiff. Their relationship should be given more time to grow before they rush into the marriage. I don't really like them together so their melodrama is less appealing. She's high maintenance and he's too angry. Russell's appeal has always been her figure. In this one, her spunkiness adds some appeal but there is no appeal with his brooding internalized anger. The pairing could be so much better if they could dial back the frustration.