Review of Oklahoma Territory

Although there's not a word of truth in this story Temple Houston in his own right was quite the colorful character of the old west. Like his illustrious father Sam Houston, Temple inherited Sam's love and respect for the Indians, particularly the Cherokee who were now living in what later became Oklahoma. He was also quite the frontier lawyer equally adept as defense and prosecuting attorney. He plays both roles in this film.

Bill Williams plays Temple Houston and as federal prosecutor he has to try Cherokee chief Ted DeCorsia for the murder of an Indian agent. Williams gets his conviction but afterward as facts emerge Williams becomes DeCorsia's staunch advocate and together with crusading newspaper owner Walter Baldwin gets justice done. As is the case in these film there are some powerful interests who want to see DeCorsia hang and send the Cherokees on a warpath.

I'm not sure if Temple Houston was also a fast gun, but Williams certainly backs his play with a pair of Colts. Also in the cast of note are Tom Browne Henry as the legendary judge Isaac Parker, Walter Sande as the federal marshal, Gloria Talbott as DeCorsia's daughter and Grant Richards as an unscrupulous businessman.

Shot on a shoestring budget and not a word of truth in the plot, Oklahoma Territory is a fine film in that dwindling genre of B westerns.