The film opens with, not one, but two tunes typical 1930s-40s films of the western U.S. The plot is pretty standard for westerns. It's the writing that sails this far above most. Same with the cinematography being far better than most westerns. Casting was also very good to make this a better than average film. A key to this is including the Horatio Boggs character and having veteran character actor Hobart Cavenaugh playing the part.
The story is of a bad guy stealing from the town's folk is nothing new. Another good casting decision of having Roy Barcroft play the character as a bad guy, but not inherently evil, is a smart one. The movie becomes much less heavy handed or amateurish as many westerns can be. About the music: It's placed in appropriate areas that add to the storytelling. About the lighter tough: Cavenaugh has a few really humorous spots in the film. He's not a sidekick here, but a part of the actual story. "Whitey" Benedict is also a part and he always helps a scene.
Certainly one of the weakest parts of the film is George O'Brien as the lead. His oddly muscular shape and stiff delivery leadens the affair a bit. He tends to be more peppy than others in the western hero role and that helps.
The very ending is a real hoot. The last line and actions would've benefited so many other romantic or comedic tales.
Bottom line: i recommend this film. 7 out of 10 points.
The story is of a bad guy stealing from the town's folk is nothing new. Another good casting decision of having Roy Barcroft play the character as a bad guy, but not inherently evil, is a smart one. The movie becomes much less heavy handed or amateurish as many westerns can be. About the music: It's placed in appropriate areas that add to the storytelling. About the lighter tough: Cavenaugh has a few really humorous spots in the film. He's not a sidekick here, but a part of the actual story. "Whitey" Benedict is also a part and he always helps a scene.
Certainly one of the weakest parts of the film is George O'Brien as the lead. His oddly muscular shape and stiff delivery leadens the affair a bit. He tends to be more peppy than others in the western hero role and that helps.
The very ending is a real hoot. The last line and actions would've benefited so many other romantic or comedic tales.
Bottom line: i recommend this film. 7 out of 10 points.