Is The Naked Hills Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Naked Hills is likely a skip if you enjoy Western movies.
It features a runtime of 72 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Naked Hills Review
Last updated: January 9, 2026
The Premise
Released in 1956, The Naked Hills enters the Western genre with a narrative focused on Tracy Powell, an Indiana farmer, gets the gold fever and heads for Stockton, California in 1849. Under the direction of Josef Shaftel, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from David Wayne, Keenan Wynn, James Barton. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Aspects & Direction
From a technical standpoint, The Naked Hills offers a competent presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, keeping the narrative moving at a brisk pace.
Where to Watch
As of January 2026, The Naked Hills is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
Final Thoughts
With an audience rating of 4.6/10, the reception has been negative. For fans of Western, it serves as a skippable entry unless you go in with lowered expectations.
Cast of The Naked Hills
- David Wayne – Tracy Powell
- Keenan Wynn – Sam Wilkins
- James Barton – Jimmo McCann
- Marcia Henderson – Julie
- Jim Backus – Willis Haver
Top Highlights
David WayneTracy Powell
Keenan WynnSam Wilkins
James BartonJimmo McCann
Marcia HendersonJulie
Jim BackusWillis Haver
Denver PyleBert Killian / Narrator
Myrna DellAggie
Lewis L. RussellBaxter
Frank FentonHarold
Fuzzy KnightPitch Man
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 4.6/10, and global collection metrics, The Naked Hills stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1956 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Naked Hills movie hit or flop?
The Naked Hills is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 4.6/10 and lower collections.
Is The Naked Hills worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 4.6/10, The Naked Hills may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
What genre is The Naked Hills?
The Naked Hills is a Western movie that Tracy Powell, an Indiana farmer, gets the gold fever and heads for Stockton, California in 1849. There, he abandons his first partner, Bert Killian, a...
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Critic Reviews
Gold Discovered In California. The Naked Hills is directed by Josef Shaftel, who also co-writes the screenplay with Helen S. Bilkie. It stars David Wayne, Keenan Wynn, James Barton, Marcia Henderson and Denver Pyle. Music is by Herschel Burke Gilbert and Pathecolor cinematography is by Frederick Gately. 1800s California and Tracy Powell (Wayne) is gripped by gold fever and deserts his friends and family to search the hills for the precious metal. Very routine gold fever Oater that plays like a poor man’s Treasure of the Sierra Madre. It spans decades as Powell lets the search for gold take over his life, while the background threads involving his partners, both romantically and gold seeking, make up the drama as he heads towards his day of destiny. An opportunity is wasted to really produce a psychologically strong film about an obsessive man who keeps failing, but Shaftel constantly resorts to formula fodder to tell his story and it hurts the piece. Cast are fine, especially Wayne, who gets a chance to be the lead man and delivers a performance of note in spite of the insipid screenplay. 4/10