"Waco" is an unusual "B" western in that it has its star "Wild Bill" Elliott playing a whiskey drinking, cigarette/cigar smoking hombre who actually becomes an outlaw.
Drifter Matt Boone (Elliott) comes to Waco, Texas, gets into a poker game and winds up killing powerful rancher Bull Clark (Ray Bennett) in self defense after Clark is caught cheating. Boone is forced to take it on the lam as he is charged with murder. He ends up joining an outlaw gang headed by Curly Ivers (I. Sandford Jolley) whose gang includes trigger happy gunman Lou Garcia (Paul Fierro) and the boyish Al (Rand Brooks).
While robbing a bank Boone is wounded and taken into custody facing the hangman's noose. Concerned citizens from Waco, Richards (Terry Frost) and Farley (Pierce Lyden) arrange to bring him back to Waco for a fair trial. With Judge Stanley Andrews presiding, the jury acquits Moore. Richards, Farley and the Judge conspire to force Moore to become the sheriff of Waco.
Bull Clark's daughter Kathy (Pamela Blake) and foreman Wallace (Lane Bradford vow to make Moore pay for the killing of Clark. But Wallace himself is killed in a card game by gambler Crawford (Rory Mallinson). Moore comes to arrest Crawford and is forced into a gunfight with his gunsel Ace Logan (Dick Paxton). This proves to the town that Moore is a competent lawman.
Meanwhile Garcia on his own decides to rob the Waco stagecoach. On board is Kathy Clark whom he kidnaps. Moore who had an arrangement with Ivers' gang to stay out of Waco, goes to their hideout to rescue. Kathy. The girl gains a new insight into Moore's persona. Later when Ivers is brought in by Texas Rangers...................................
Elliot as usual, gives a convincing performance as the good/bad hero. He goes from one gun to two as he takes up the job of sheriff. Jolley in a rare leading role is good as the fatherly gang leader. And what about perennial bad guys Terry Frost and Pierce Lyden playing respectable town citizens for a change. House Peters Jr. plays the doctor tending Moore's wound, John Hart plays the Texas Ranger who bring Ivers in and veterans Ed Cassidy and Franklyn Farnum appear in the bank hold up sequence.
Oddly enough there are no fist fights or extended gun battles in this film. Doesn't hurt it a bit.
Drifter Matt Boone (Elliott) comes to Waco, Texas, gets into a poker game and winds up killing powerful rancher Bull Clark (Ray Bennett) in self defense after Clark is caught cheating. Boone is forced to take it on the lam as he is charged with murder. He ends up joining an outlaw gang headed by Curly Ivers (I. Sandford Jolley) whose gang includes trigger happy gunman Lou Garcia (Paul Fierro) and the boyish Al (Rand Brooks).
While robbing a bank Boone is wounded and taken into custody facing the hangman's noose. Concerned citizens from Waco, Richards (Terry Frost) and Farley (Pierce Lyden) arrange to bring him back to Waco for a fair trial. With Judge Stanley Andrews presiding, the jury acquits Moore. Richards, Farley and the Judge conspire to force Moore to become the sheriff of Waco.
Bull Clark's daughter Kathy (Pamela Blake) and foreman Wallace (Lane Bradford vow to make Moore pay for the killing of Clark. But Wallace himself is killed in a card game by gambler Crawford (Rory Mallinson). Moore comes to arrest Crawford and is forced into a gunfight with his gunsel Ace Logan (Dick Paxton). This proves to the town that Moore is a competent lawman.
Meanwhile Garcia on his own decides to rob the Waco stagecoach. On board is Kathy Clark whom he kidnaps. Moore who had an arrangement with Ivers' gang to stay out of Waco, goes to their hideout to rescue. Kathy. The girl gains a new insight into Moore's persona. Later when Ivers is brought in by Texas Rangers...................................
Elliot as usual, gives a convincing performance as the good/bad hero. He goes from one gun to two as he takes up the job of sheriff. Jolley in a rare leading role is good as the fatherly gang leader. And what about perennial bad guys Terry Frost and Pierce Lyden playing respectable town citizens for a change. House Peters Jr. plays the doctor tending Moore's wound, John Hart plays the Texas Ranger who bring Ivers in and veterans Ed Cassidy and Franklyn Farnum appear in the bank hold up sequence.
Oddly enough there are no fist fights or extended gun battles in this film. Doesn't hurt it a bit.