La Joven (1960) Reviews

Luis Buñuel and Hugo Butler (under the pseudonym "H.B. Addis") adapted Peter Matthiessen's story Travelin' Man for this drama about a black jazz musician, on the run from a false accusation of raping a white woman. Miller (Zachary Scott) is a middle aged handyman on a small island off the southeastern coast. His neighbors are a 13-year-old girl and her grandfather. After her grandfather dies, Miller looks after the young girl, and they are the only two on the island until the arrival of Traver (Bernie Hamilton), a black man fleeing a lynch mob that suspects him of rape. In Miller's absence, Traver gives the girl money for supplies and a gun. Returning to the island, Miller tries to kill Traver until he realizes no harm has come to the girl and Traver is allowed to escape when Miller is convinced of his innocence. Miller then announces his intentions to marry the girl and save her from some meddling church officials who wish to take her away. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi