Features the well-worn plot involving a range war. This time, the war is between Joe Neal and a gang of smaller ranchers, lead by Ray Teal, as Nevers. Neal owns the section with the best grassing and water supply. He's been there for 30 years, but never bothered to file a claim on it. There are actually 2 desirable ranches involved, apparently adjacent to each other: the 46th Commuted, and the B Bar. The B Bar is operated by Mary Blake(Angela Stevens), whose father was killed by Nevers' gang. Confusing to me the ownership relation of the 46th between Joe Neal and Angie Kinyon(Susan Cummings). Nevers' consortium of ranchers is intent on stealing both the B Bar and 46th ranches and dividing them up among the members, since neither has any heirs. To facilitate this goal, they are out to kill the 2 women and Neal. But Neal fools them by having his friend Utah Blaine(Roy Calhoun) file a claim with the claim office in the bank. Also, he hurriedly registers a will, naming Blaine and Angie the heirs, with half the 46th going to each. If they should marry, then each would be a joint owner of the 46th.
The film begins with Nevers' bunch lynching Joe Neal(under what pretext other than plain murder?). Fortunately, the gang leaves quickly after Neal drops. But, they intentionally made his drop too short to break his neck. They wanted him to die rather slowly by strangulation. Thus, Blaine, who had been sleeping behind a nearby tree(!), has time to run over and cut the rope, before Neal is permanently damaged. Neal tells his situation, and makes a friend of Blaine.
The climax involves a shoot out in town between Nevers' gang on horses and the townies, who are hiding behind doors, windows and on top of roofs. Nevers' gang is shot to pieces, ending the range war.
In one of his last movie roles, former heavyweight champion Max Baer plays Gus Ortmann: a beefy guy who, at the request of Nevers, tries to stop Blaine from reaching the bank to file the claim on the 46th. He has a fight with Blaine and, amazingly, loses it. Then, Gus switches sides, and along with Rip Coker(Paul Langton), rides with Blaine, later to be shot dead.
My main complaint is that much of the film was shot under semi-dark conditions, so that it was difficult for me to discern who I was looking at.
Available in B&W at You Tube.
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