Wandering gunman Matt Dow (James Cagney) meets hot-headed young man Davey Bishop (John Derek) on the way to a small ranching town. They get mistaken for train robbers, and a posse seriously injures Davey. Once their identities are properly established, Davey is left to convalesce with Swedish farmer Swenson (Jean Hersholt) and his daughter Helga (Viveca Lindfors). Matt sticks around to mentor Davey, and Helga falls for the older man. The townsfolk hire Matt to be their new sheriff, and Matt chooses Davey to be his deputy, but trouble is on the horizon.
I liked this western despite its faults, which include some script implausibilities and a flabby final act. It was really nice seeing Cagney in something new to me, as there are now only three of his movies that I have not seen. He's a little thick around the middle but he still has screen presence in spades, and he seems natural in the western setting for a change. John Derek is someone I would never call a favorite, but he fit his role well. Lindfors was lovely and low key. One of the best things about this movie is the spectacular Colorado location cinematography, with director Ray making the most of the VistaVision format.
This was the last film of character actor Jean Hersholt, he of the eponymous Humanitarian Oscar. I was also moved by the appearance of early 1930's leading man Grant Withers. His major studio stardom was short-lived and he later moved over to Republic Pictures, mainly thanks to lifelong friend John Wayne. By 1955, Withers was in ill health, and despite only being 50, he looked a good 15 years older here. Here he has a small role as a bandit leader and shares his one big scene with Cagney. Cagney had made his film debut in 1930 in Sinners' Holiday in support of Withers, who was a leading man at the time.
I liked this western despite its faults, which include some script implausibilities and a flabby final act. It was really nice seeing Cagney in something new to me, as there are now only three of his movies that I have not seen. He's a little thick around the middle but he still has screen presence in spades, and he seems natural in the western setting for a change. John Derek is someone I would never call a favorite, but he fit his role well. Lindfors was lovely and low key. One of the best things about this movie is the spectacular Colorado location cinematography, with director Ray making the most of the VistaVision format.
This was the last film of character actor Jean Hersholt, he of the eponymous Humanitarian Oscar. I was also moved by the appearance of early 1930's leading man Grant Withers. His major studio stardom was short-lived and he later moved over to Republic Pictures, mainly thanks to lifelong friend John Wayne. By 1955, Withers was in ill health, and despite only being 50, he looked a good 15 years older here. Here he has a small role as a bandit leader and shares his one big scene with Cagney. Cagney had made his film debut in 1930 in Sinners' Holiday in support of Withers, who was a leading man at the time.