Jim Davis was a popular western actor in the fifties who usually played villains and/or second leads. In "The Badge of Marshal Brennan" he gets to play the lead, a hero in spite of himself.
The story has accused killer Jeff Harlon on the run from a posse. He crosses into Apache territory where the posse abandons the chase. He then comes across a wounded marshal, Matt Brennan (Douglas Fowley). When the marshal dies Harlon picks up the marshal's badge and rides into the next town, Banock.
Arriving in Babbock, he learns that the town doctor, Steve Hale (Harry Lauter) suspects an outbreak of black spot fever which he believes is being spread by the cattle of cattle baron Colonel Doniphon (Louis Jean Heydt). The son of local Indian Chickamon (Lawrence Dobkin) has died from the fever and vows to kill the doctor. In fact. the doctor is almost lynched by Doniphon's son Shad (Lee Van Cleef) when Harlon intervenes.
Posing as Marshal Brennan, Harlon steps into the dispute between the cattlemen and the town. Assisting him are the town sheriff (Carl Smith) and his Deputy (Ric Vallin). Meanwhile "Brennan" strikes up an acquaintance with café owner Murdock (Arleen Whelen).
This was a essentially a low budget "B" movie. It doesn't have much in the way of action until the finale, which includes a dandy fight between the Davis and Van Cleef characters.
Also in the cast is Marty Robbins complete with Mexican accent, as a ranch hand. Robbins and Smith were both popular country and western singers of the day, however neither sings a note in this film. As actors both made excellent singers.
As "B" westerns go, this one is average although it's good to see Davis finally get the girl.
The story has accused killer Jeff Harlon on the run from a posse. He crosses into Apache territory where the posse abandons the chase. He then comes across a wounded marshal, Matt Brennan (Douglas Fowley). When the marshal dies Harlon picks up the marshal's badge and rides into the next town, Banock.
Arriving in Babbock, he learns that the town doctor, Steve Hale (Harry Lauter) suspects an outbreak of black spot fever which he believes is being spread by the cattle of cattle baron Colonel Doniphon (Louis Jean Heydt). The son of local Indian Chickamon (Lawrence Dobkin) has died from the fever and vows to kill the doctor. In fact. the doctor is almost lynched by Doniphon's son Shad (Lee Van Cleef) when Harlon intervenes.
Posing as Marshal Brennan, Harlon steps into the dispute between the cattlemen and the town. Assisting him are the town sheriff (Carl Smith) and his Deputy (Ric Vallin). Meanwhile "Brennan" strikes up an acquaintance with café owner Murdock (Arleen Whelen).
This was a essentially a low budget "B" movie. It doesn't have much in the way of action until the finale, which includes a dandy fight between the Davis and Van Cleef characters.
Also in the cast is Marty Robbins complete with Mexican accent, as a ranch hand. Robbins and Smith were both popular country and western singers of the day, however neither sings a note in this film. As actors both made excellent singers.
As "B" westerns go, this one is average although it's good to see Davis finally get the girl.