I didn't know much about this western before sitting down to watch it; to be honest I thought it might just be a half decent way to kill an hour and a half (including adverts). The opening was promising; two men, Reb Kittredge and Johnny Lake, ride into view followed by the pursuing cavalry, after giving them the slip they decide to go their separate ways; Johnny to go and find work on a sheep farm and Reb to seek employment as a hired gun for a man called Telford. Shortly after they split Reb is bushwhacked and has his horse shot from under him; his attacker flees but leaves two distinctive cartridges behind. Now horseless Reb starts walking towards town; luckily he is able to catch the passing stagecoach where he meets the beautiful Rita Saxon... unfortunately for him it is clear that she doesn't like him! It turns out Reb is being hired to help ensure that Rita's father, Dan Saxon, loses his ranch to Telford. It seems Telford is playing dirty from the start; telling Saxon that Reb is going to be gunning for him; he draws his gun on Saxon but rather than killing him Reb shoots it out of his hand. He then decides that Telford's offer isn't enough and before he can raise it he has a wager with Saxon; the result of which is that Reb now owns the ranch... but if he wants to keep it he will have to get the cattle from the ranch in Montana to Yellowstone; and Telford will do anything he can to stop him including hiring his old friend Johnny.
This was a decent film; it is under eighty minutes long but that just means no time is wasted on unnecessary subplots and excessive dialogue. The action scenes were pretty exciting; especially the cattle stampede and when a wagon had to be driven down a particularly steep mountainside; of course there are a few good shoot-outs and everything works out for the best in the end. Audie Murphy was fine as Reb; he might not look that tough but he talked the talk and handled the action scenes in a way that makes the viewer believe in the character. Susan Cabot put in a feisty performance as the beautiful Rita and Jack Kelly was suitably treacherous as Reb's rival for Rita's affections. The locations are often important for a western and the scenery this was set in was suitably impressive with rugged terrain and snow-capped mountains in the background. Over all I'd recommend this to western fans of all ages as there is a good story, plenty of excitement and nothing to offend.
This was a decent film; it is under eighty minutes long but that just means no time is wasted on unnecessary subplots and excessive dialogue. The action scenes were pretty exciting; especially the cattle stampede and when a wagon had to be driven down a particularly steep mountainside; of course there are a few good shoot-outs and everything works out for the best in the end. Audie Murphy was fine as Reb; he might not look that tough but he talked the talk and handled the action scenes in a way that makes the viewer believe in the character. Susan Cabot put in a feisty performance as the beautiful Rita and Jack Kelly was suitably treacherous as Reb's rival for Rita's affections. The locations are often important for a western and the scenery this was set in was suitably impressive with rugged terrain and snow-capped mountains in the background. Over all I'd recommend this to western fans of all ages as there is a good story, plenty of excitement and nothing to offend.