"The Marshal of Mesa City" was another of George O'Brien's oaters for RKO. This one is a cut above the average with its superb supporting cast and better than average script.
School teacher Virginia King (Virginia Vale) is being harassed by corrupt sheriff Jud Cronin (Leon Ames). Fed up, Virginia decides to leave Mesa City and go to Yuma on the next stage. Cronin learns of her plans and sends his gang consisting of Pete Henderson (Joe McGuinn), Bat Cardigan (Harry Cording) and Jake Morris (Slim Whitaker) among others, to intercept the stage and bring Virginia back to Mesa City in time for the big dance.
During the "holdup", ex-Marshal Cliff Mason (O'Brien) happens along in time to rescue the young school marm. He unmasks Henderson before riding off to town. In town, Cliff informs the Mayor (Lloyd Ingraham) that he can identify Henderson. The Mayor sends for Marshal Andy Thompson (Wilfred Lucas) to arrest Henderson. Henderson guns down the Marshal and makes his escape. The Mayor appoints Cliff as the new Town Marshal. He promptly rounds up the remainder of the gang and jails them without firing a shot. This impresses Virginia and her land lady Mrs. Dudley (Mary Gordon).
Corrupt Judge Wainwright (Carl Stockdale) reduces the charges against the men at Cronin's request, and lets them off with a light fine. Later, at the dance, Cliff sweeps the young school teacher off of her feet much to the dismay of a jealous Cronin. Cronin sends for gunman Duke Allison (Henry Brandon) to deal with Mason.
As Allison is about to goad Cliff into a fight, Cardigan tries to gun down Cliff but is thwarted by Cliff's fast draw saving Allison who was in the line of fire and sure death. Cliff and Allison form a mutual respect for each other and the latter joins forces with Cliff and becomes a Deputy Marshal.
Later, Cliff brings fugitive Henderson back to town and jails him under Cronin's watch. Cronin lets Henderson escape and he and Jake lie in ambush awaiting Cliff and Allison to emerge from yet another dance. Cliff kills Henderson and Cronin "charges" Cliff and Allison with Henderson's murder.
With Cliff and Allison locked up and the Mayor holding the cell key, Cronin devises a plan whereby he will set the jail ablaze trapping our two heroes inside. But with the Mayor's help, they escape and..............................................
You have to see the similarities between the O'Brien and Brandon characters and Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday at the O.K. Coral. I thought the way the final showdown was depicted was unique and original. Leon Ames as the chief villain was outstanding. He would go on to a long and varied career at MGM. Was there ever a more beautiful heroine than Virginia Vale? O'Brien carries off his role in his usual dominant style. Brandon as the nervous gunfighter is also good.
The rest of the cast though not household names, were also excellent. Cording, Whitaker and McGuinn stand out. Watch for Steve Pendleton as the young man who gets roughed up asking Virginia to the dance and Cactus Mack sans mustache, as the original Marshal's deputy.
One of the best in the O'Brien series.
School teacher Virginia King (Virginia Vale) is being harassed by corrupt sheriff Jud Cronin (Leon Ames). Fed up, Virginia decides to leave Mesa City and go to Yuma on the next stage. Cronin learns of her plans and sends his gang consisting of Pete Henderson (Joe McGuinn), Bat Cardigan (Harry Cording) and Jake Morris (Slim Whitaker) among others, to intercept the stage and bring Virginia back to Mesa City in time for the big dance.
During the "holdup", ex-Marshal Cliff Mason (O'Brien) happens along in time to rescue the young school marm. He unmasks Henderson before riding off to town. In town, Cliff informs the Mayor (Lloyd Ingraham) that he can identify Henderson. The Mayor sends for Marshal Andy Thompson (Wilfred Lucas) to arrest Henderson. Henderson guns down the Marshal and makes his escape. The Mayor appoints Cliff as the new Town Marshal. He promptly rounds up the remainder of the gang and jails them without firing a shot. This impresses Virginia and her land lady Mrs. Dudley (Mary Gordon).
Corrupt Judge Wainwright (Carl Stockdale) reduces the charges against the men at Cronin's request, and lets them off with a light fine. Later, at the dance, Cliff sweeps the young school teacher off of her feet much to the dismay of a jealous Cronin. Cronin sends for gunman Duke Allison (Henry Brandon) to deal with Mason.
As Allison is about to goad Cliff into a fight, Cardigan tries to gun down Cliff but is thwarted by Cliff's fast draw saving Allison who was in the line of fire and sure death. Cliff and Allison form a mutual respect for each other and the latter joins forces with Cliff and becomes a Deputy Marshal.
Later, Cliff brings fugitive Henderson back to town and jails him under Cronin's watch. Cronin lets Henderson escape and he and Jake lie in ambush awaiting Cliff and Allison to emerge from yet another dance. Cliff kills Henderson and Cronin "charges" Cliff and Allison with Henderson's murder.
With Cliff and Allison locked up and the Mayor holding the cell key, Cronin devises a plan whereby he will set the jail ablaze trapping our two heroes inside. But with the Mayor's help, they escape and..............................................
You have to see the similarities between the O'Brien and Brandon characters and Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday at the O.K. Coral. I thought the way the final showdown was depicted was unique and original. Leon Ames as the chief villain was outstanding. He would go on to a long and varied career at MGM. Was there ever a more beautiful heroine than Virginia Vale? O'Brien carries off his role in his usual dominant style. Brandon as the nervous gunfighter is also good.
The rest of the cast though not household names, were also excellent. Cording, Whitaker and McGuinn stand out. Watch for Steve Pendleton as the young man who gets roughed up asking Virginia to the dance and Cactus Mack sans mustache, as the original Marshal's deputy.
One of the best in the O'Brien series.