I like westerns that starred Ben Johnson as a relatively young man. "Wagon Master" is a well known example. I came across this obscure film, released about the same time. In it, Ben plays Ben(Shelby, that is): an ex-Union soldier, who rides to the Tallon ranch in AZ, hoping to kill Johnny Tallon, whom he blames for his brother's death in battle, due to Johnny's said cowardice. The problem is, according to Ned, Johnny's blind brother, and his Uncle Charlie, Johnny is already dead, executed for bank robberies. This is the gossip in nearby Fort Defiance. Dave Parker, who owns a neighboring spread, also comes to kill Johnny, because his 2 brothers were killed in that same incident. No Johnny, so Parker decides to kill Ned instead. Ben doesn't think this is right, so we have a shootout, with Uncle Charlie, rather than Ned, a victim. Ben suggests that he and Ned form a partnership at the ranch. Before this, some Navajos showed up, saying they would take all the Tallon cattle. The Tallons + Ben didn't put up a fight. The Navajos were angry because the US government said thy had to move to a reservation.
Eventually, Johnny shows up, to everyone's amazement, with $5000. he stole from a bank. He wants to use some of this money to get Ned to an eye doctor in San Francisco. But , Ned doesn't want to go. He wants to stay with Ben and the ranch....I will stop here, and let you see the film. There's a good amount of action, with several hostile encounters with Indians, as well with Parker and his bunch. There are several fist fights in the open, and a de facto suicide.
Dane Clark, as Johnny, has a decided cocky attitude most of the time, which seems to be largely based on his very quick draw and accurate shooting. Peter Graves ably plays Ned Tallon, while white haired, bewhiskered, George Cleveland plays Uncle Charlie. Craig Woods plays Dave Parker, while Tracey Roberts plays Julie: Ned's surprising romantic interest.
When Navajos attack a stagecoach, the horses are decoupled from the stage, which is used as a primitive barricade. The Indians are sitting ducks for a good rifle shooter as they circle around in daylight. They should have been able to kill all the defenders, but don't, before a cavalry arrives to shoo them away. They could have killed the horses or run off with them, thus disabling the coach.
In one segment, the guys are complaining they can't get out the side of this long canyon. Yet, I saw several places where there was no canyon wall, and they should have been able to get out.
I have to wonder about the scriptwriter's knowledge of geography, as the stage driver claims that San Francisco is only a day's travel from Navajoland!
I have to wonder about Johnny's last act. Seems he was depressed over Ned's loyalty to Ben as opposed to him.
This was one of the last films shot in 2-color Cinecolor: a cheaper alternative to 3-strip Technicolor... Shooting took place in parts of NM, southern Utah, and CA. See it at Youtube
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