"Cattle King" was a low budget (for MGM) "B" western of the type that Universal turned out at the time. It has a stellar cast including star Robert Taylor who was nearing the end of his career and life.
Taylor plays Sam Brassfield, a big time cattle rancher in 1883 Wyoming territory. His neice June (Maggie Piece is being shown around the ranch by ranch hand Hobie Renton (Richard Trotter) when they are attacked by a group of masked men. Hobie is shot down by the leader Vince Bodine (Richard Devon) while June escapes. Bodine then cuts the Brassfield barbed wire fence.
Returning to the ranch, Julie is consoled by Sam and his right hand man Johnny Quatro (Robert Loggia) who sets out after the killers. Also on hand are June's hot-headed brother Webb (Robert Ivers), Foreman Ed Winters (Ray Teal) and his wife Ruth (Virginia Christine who basically runs the household.
It seams that Texas cattleman Clay Mathews (Robert Middleton) is planning to run large herds of cattle up from Texas, have them feed off of the Wyoming grassland and be sold off for a quick profit. To achieve this Mathews has been leasing the small ranches lands to feed his cattle. Sam resists.
Sam is sweet on small rancher Sharleen Travers (Joan Caulfield) whom he visits while on his way to Cheyenne to confront Mathews. Her brother, the weak willed Harry Travers has thrown in (reluctantly) with Mathews to try and sway the other ranchers to Mathews will. As lick would have it, the President of the United States Chester A. Arthur (Larry Gates) just happens to be passing through on his way to see Yellowstone National Park.
After meeting with Mathews and each stating their opposing views, Sam overhears Mathews at a dinner in honor of the President, telling him of his ambitious plans. Sam enters the room uninvited and gives the President his views of the situation.
Sheepherder Abe Clevenger (Malcolm Atterbury) is influential with the other small ranchers and Sam needs his support. Fearing that Abe will throw in with Mathews, Mathews sends his men led by Bodine and Tex (John Mitchum) to wreck Abe's ranch and drive him off. Abe believes that Sam was responsible and goes to Sam's ranch and tries to kill him getting shot by Sam in the process.
When President Arthur visits Sam's ranch one day, Abe overhears Sam defending Abe and calling him a true friend. Abe then abandons his plan to kill Sam and comes over to Sam's side. Mathew's men go to the travers ranch and wound Harry and kill Sharleen whom Sam was planning to marry. This sets up the inevitable showdown between Sam and Mathews and Johnny Quatro and Bodine and...........................................................................................
It was unusual to see a President of the U.S. play such an important part in a western such as this, however, his presence does play a role in the final outcome. Although made by MGM, there are still some stock footage shots of cattle herds to be seen. Taylor, well past his "best before date" does play a character more his own age than try to be the dashing hero of his youth. Robert Loggia, just staring out, doesn't really have much to do. Smart eyed viewers will recognize Jerry Lewis stock company veteran Ivers as the hot-headed nephew.
Taylor plays Sam Brassfield, a big time cattle rancher in 1883 Wyoming territory. His neice June (Maggie Piece is being shown around the ranch by ranch hand Hobie Renton (Richard Trotter) when they are attacked by a group of masked men. Hobie is shot down by the leader Vince Bodine (Richard Devon) while June escapes. Bodine then cuts the Brassfield barbed wire fence.
Returning to the ranch, Julie is consoled by Sam and his right hand man Johnny Quatro (Robert Loggia) who sets out after the killers. Also on hand are June's hot-headed brother Webb (Robert Ivers), Foreman Ed Winters (Ray Teal) and his wife Ruth (Virginia Christine who basically runs the household.
It seams that Texas cattleman Clay Mathews (Robert Middleton) is planning to run large herds of cattle up from Texas, have them feed off of the Wyoming grassland and be sold off for a quick profit. To achieve this Mathews has been leasing the small ranches lands to feed his cattle. Sam resists.
Sam is sweet on small rancher Sharleen Travers (Joan Caulfield) whom he visits while on his way to Cheyenne to confront Mathews. Her brother, the weak willed Harry Travers has thrown in (reluctantly) with Mathews to try and sway the other ranchers to Mathews will. As lick would have it, the President of the United States Chester A. Arthur (Larry Gates) just happens to be passing through on his way to see Yellowstone National Park.
After meeting with Mathews and each stating their opposing views, Sam overhears Mathews at a dinner in honor of the President, telling him of his ambitious plans. Sam enters the room uninvited and gives the President his views of the situation.
Sheepherder Abe Clevenger (Malcolm Atterbury) is influential with the other small ranchers and Sam needs his support. Fearing that Abe will throw in with Mathews, Mathews sends his men led by Bodine and Tex (John Mitchum) to wreck Abe's ranch and drive him off. Abe believes that Sam was responsible and goes to Sam's ranch and tries to kill him getting shot by Sam in the process.
When President Arthur visits Sam's ranch one day, Abe overhears Sam defending Abe and calling him a true friend. Abe then abandons his plan to kill Sam and comes over to Sam's side. Mathew's men go to the travers ranch and wound Harry and kill Sharleen whom Sam was planning to marry. This sets up the inevitable showdown between Sam and Mathews and Johnny Quatro and Bodine and...........................................................................................
It was unusual to see a President of the U.S. play such an important part in a western such as this, however, his presence does play a role in the final outcome. Although made by MGM, there are still some stock footage shots of cattle herds to be seen. Taylor, well past his "best before date" does play a character more his own age than try to be the dashing hero of his youth. Robert Loggia, just staring out, doesn't really have much to do. Smart eyed viewers will recognize Jerry Lewis stock company veteran Ivers as the hot-headed nephew.