GLORIA GRAHAME is photographed expertly in this B&W western that stars ROBERT STERLING as a cowboy heading back to his new ranch with brother CLAUDE JARMAN, JR. at his side. Grahame not only looks good, but gets to deliver an interesting performance as the dance hall girl (prostitute really) who wants to find the right man and go down the straight and narrow path.
She thinks she's found her man in Sterling, who looks a bit too boyish for the role of the rugged cowboy but nevertheless, he delivers an earnest and likable performance. The pairing of him with Jarman as brothers seems a bit incongruous since they look nothing alike--but again, good acting almost compensates for this minor distraction.
For a villain, we have JOHN IRELAND in full mode as a nasty guy who wants to put a bullet in Sterling for past transgressions. The final shootout provides the story with the only really tense moments in a story that is more character-driven than an action western.
Nothing special about any of the production values or Mark Robson's direction, except to mention that Grahame really walks off with most of her scenes even though her intense expression conveys little more than annoyance with the fact that Sterling seems oblivious to her charms. Still, there's a heart of gold in the gal who wants nothing more than to wear a gingham dress and play housewife, leaving her tawdry past behind.
Summing up: A bit pokey but interesting enough to maintain interest because of some well played interplay between the characters.
She thinks she's found her man in Sterling, who looks a bit too boyish for the role of the rugged cowboy but nevertheless, he delivers an earnest and likable performance. The pairing of him with Jarman as brothers seems a bit incongruous since they look nothing alike--but again, good acting almost compensates for this minor distraction.
For a villain, we have JOHN IRELAND in full mode as a nasty guy who wants to put a bullet in Sterling for past transgressions. The final shootout provides the story with the only really tense moments in a story that is more character-driven than an action western.
Nothing special about any of the production values or Mark Robson's direction, except to mention that Grahame really walks off with most of her scenes even though her intense expression conveys little more than annoyance with the fact that Sterling seems oblivious to her charms. Still, there's a heart of gold in the gal who wants nothing more than to wear a gingham dress and play housewife, leaving her tawdry past behind.
Summing up: A bit pokey but interesting enough to maintain interest because of some well played interplay between the characters.