This is an above average Western programmer where the handsome George O'Brien and a hysterically funny supporting cast take a very familiar plot and make a decent B movie. He's guilt ridden over winning the ranch of a man who commits suicide after losing it in a poker game, and goes out of his way to help the man's young daughter, Betsy King Ross, maintain control of it when he gives it back to the family, determined to stop the nefarious Douglas Dumbrille from swooping in and scooping it up for himself. Comic sidekick Frank Atkinson hangs around seemingly sour cook Virginia Sale which begins a fun battle of the wills, leading to romance, while O'Brien romances the pretty Nell O'Day.
You know the moment that Douglas Dumbrille shows up there's going to be trouble, and he's a great villain as usual, even when he's attempting to be charming to Ross, claiming to be her uncle. His pompous line delivery is delightful, and other great character actors such as Clarence Wilson and Richard Carle add amusement as well. No one can play lemon puckered smarminess like Wilson, on a break from being W. C. Field's nemesis. The mixture of themes (western, comedy, family drama) gives this multi-dimensions, and as a Fox film, benefits from better photography than normally seen for programmers like this. It's amazing what they can come up with utilizing very little, and the result is a very entertaining second feature.
You know the moment that Douglas Dumbrille shows up there's going to be trouble, and he's a great villain as usual, even when he's attempting to be charming to Ross, claiming to be her uncle. His pompous line delivery is delightful, and other great character actors such as Clarence Wilson and Richard Carle add amusement as well. No one can play lemon puckered smarminess like Wilson, on a break from being W. C. Field's nemesis. The mixture of themes (western, comedy, family drama) gives this multi-dimensions, and as a Fox film, benefits from better photography than normally seen for programmers like this. It's amazing what they can come up with utilizing very little, and the result is a very entertaining second feature.
