Dan Duryea consistently upstages the staid Audie Murphy(as Clay) during their many interactions, both negative and friendly. They eventually become an amusing reluctant buddy pair. I'll classify Dan(as Whitey)as a ruffian rather than a villain, at least in the context of this story. Unclear how he made a living. The real bad guys, surprisingly, are Sheriff Kenyon(Paul Birch) lawyer Tom Meredith, and their henchman Ted Ringer(Russell Johnson). They're into cattle rustling, and silver shipment theft, for example. Very surprisingly, the sheriff and Tom are the major participants in the cattle rustling operation. Tom is decked out in his business suit and bow tie while rustling! When owner Patrick O'Mara and his teenage son are awakened, they ride after the rustlers but are shot dead. Clay O'Mara, in distant Denver, receives a letter from Tom telling about the tragedy, and saying he will settle the estate. When Clay arrives, Tom has already sold his father's ranch(to himself?), and suggests that Clay might as well go back to where he came from, as they can handle any further details relating to the murder or property. But Clay wants to get in on the hunt for the killers, and demands to be deputized. Tom realizes that this might be a way to get rid of him quickly. So, he suggests gunslinger Whitey is a good possibility. Clay goes looking for Whitey in Diablo, and finds him in a saloon. Whitely draws on him, but Clay is faster, and shoots the gun out of his hand. Whitey reluctantly submits to Clay's arrest, and they head for San Diego, and various adventures until the real killers are dealt with.
Gorgeous Susan Cabot plays Sheriff Kenyon's live-in niece, Laurie, who initially is engaged to marry Tom. However, as her opinion of Clay rises, her opinion of Tom declines, especially toward the end, and she dumps him for Clay. ..Abby Lane is another featured female, she being an entertainer and singer at a Diablo saloon. She has an active relationship with Jed Ringer, and a past relationship with Whitey. Obviously, she's the stereotypical 'bad girl', to Laurie's image as the 'good girl'....Denver Pyle plays the minister, who talks to Clay when he arrives about not being too hasty in his thirst for revenge.
Jack Elan plays Tim Lowerie who, with his brothers, steal an all white horse. Clay is charged with finding it. Whitey leads him to the Loweries, where he suspects it is. Clay takes the horse away, but the Loweries don't give up that easily.
In short, this is an interesting oater, with Duryea providing an extra kick. See it in color at YouTube.
Gorgeous Susan Cabot plays Sheriff Kenyon's live-in niece, Laurie, who initially is engaged to marry Tom. However, as her opinion of Clay rises, her opinion of Tom declines, especially toward the end, and she dumps him for Clay. ..Abby Lane is another featured female, she being an entertainer and singer at a Diablo saloon. She has an active relationship with Jed Ringer, and a past relationship with Whitey. Obviously, she's the stereotypical 'bad girl', to Laurie's image as the 'good girl'....Denver Pyle plays the minister, who talks to Clay when he arrives about not being too hasty in his thirst for revenge.
Jack Elan plays Tim Lowerie who, with his brothers, steal an all white horse. Clay is charged with finding it. Whitey leads him to the Loweries, where he suspects it is. Clay takes the horse away, but the Loweries don't give up that easily.
In short, this is an interesting oater, with Duryea providing an extra kick. See it in color at YouTube.