The Fighting Sheriff (1931)

Note: this review is based on a viewing of a copy that was reissued under the strengthened Production Code. that indicates it may have been substantially edited.

Buck Jones kills Paul Fix in a shootout. Before Fix dies, he makes Jones promise not to tell his sister that he was an outlaw. Of course, when the sister shows up, Jones falls in love with her and is busy tracking down Fix' other gang members.

It's a basic story that had been used earlier, most memorably in the William Hart BLUE BLAZES RAWDEN. In this one, there are some nice touches of rowdy comedy appropriate for the inherently absurd plot.

This is not a particularly elaborately produced western, but director Louis King gets everything he can out of the script and cameraman Ted Tetzlaff gets some very nice Dutch angles and moving shots. Although B westerns have a reputation for poor quality and jejune plotting, their quality varied just as much as A productions. this is a solid effort and worth an hour for anyone who is willing to be convinced.