But for the cast this would be a very ordinary, unsatisfying Western. I found it hard to believe that Colt Saunders (whose uniform seemed to have survived unscathed the rigours of war and defeat)would decide to marry Lorna after just a few words of conversation; a slightly longer courtship would have been more convincing. And Lorna is not the reformed character that she later appears to be; she was quite prepared to keep Saunders' money for herself until she realised what a catch he would make.
The ending leaves several loose ends. Why did Harrison have to raid Saunders' ranch when he could have got it quasi-legally? Did Colt and Lorna go on to have a happy marriage? And what happened to the threat of punitive taxation on the Southerners; this wasn't a scam dreamt up by Harrison, but one backed by the government.
It's the cast that lifts the film, and not just the stars. Gilbert Roland has great screen presence and we don't see enough of Forrest Tucker to justify his fifth billing.
John Harmon as Massey deserves a mention for the scene in which Harrison forces him to unmask Lorna as a former good-time girl. He's obviously not sure who terrifies him more: Saunders or Harrison and Cable.
The ending leaves several loose ends. Why did Harrison have to raid Saunders' ranch when he could have got it quasi-legally? Did Colt and Lorna go on to have a happy marriage? And what happened to the threat of punitive taxation on the Southerners; this wasn't a scam dreamt up by Harrison, but one backed by the government.
It's the cast that lifts the film, and not just the stars. Gilbert Roland has great screen presence and we don't see enough of Forrest Tucker to justify his fifth billing.
John Harmon as Massey deserves a mention for the scene in which Harrison forces him to unmask Lorna as a former good-time girl. He's obviously not sure who terrifies him more: Saunders or Harrison and Cable.