User Reviews

"One Man Law" is a nifty little effort, quite entertaining actually, but unfortunately the good story (written by the director Lambert Hilyer) would have probably worked better as a shorter 48-minute program dropped into an hour-long TV slot.

The opening 15 minutes takes place at a community fair and events contest and, although longer than need be, is actually well-appointed and captures the local rural flavor well.

Buck Jones was a capable actor and in this one is called upon to exhibit sadness, regret, frustration, and surprise, which he indeed does. But he seems to have trouble expressing his scenes with Shirley Grey, his love interest. Shirley at this time was just coming on and was busily in demand, appearing in ten films in 1932. I have a feeling that Jones and Grey did not spend time in rehearsal and when it came time to do these love scenes they were ill-prepared and that is what we are seeing here; Jones is definitely not convincing and seems a little confused. Remember, too, that second takes were a luxury not often afforded in these little western gems.

Especially well done were the crowd scenes, wherein the players all seem to do their parts to perfection. Big Richard Alexander, as citizen Sorenson, for example, is nicely animated when seen at a distance during some of the crowd scenes.

The most memorable moment might be the almost over-the-top scene when Jones carelessly causes what seems to be a fateful parting of himself and Silver. It is a surprise to think that a scene such as this could have been included for such a strong cowboy hero, particularly in a film genre where the heroes rarely, if ever, show tearful emotion. Runner-up is the madcap scene where Jones drags a witness through the dusty street by his hand to the judge's office.

In sum, although "One Man Law" is a good entry in the Book of Buck Jones westerns, it could have been even more satisfying if more care had been given it during production. But it nonetheless is watchable and worth your while.