Complete credited cast: | |||
Randolph Scott | ... | Jim Kipp | |
Dolores Dorn | ... | Julie Spencer | |
Marie Windsor | ... | Alice Williams | |
Howard Petrie | ... | Sheriff Brand | |
Harry Antrim | ... | Dr. R.L. Spencer | |
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Robert Keys | ... | George Williams |
Ernest Borgnine | ... | Bill Rachin | |
Dub Taylor | ... | Eli Danvers (as Dubb Taylor) | |
Tyler MacDuff | ... | Vance Edwards | |
Archie Twitchell | ... | Harrison | |
Paul Picerni | ... | Jud | |
Phil Chambers | ... | Ed | |
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Mary Lou Holloway | ... | Mrs. Harrison |
A year after a violent train robbery the Pinkerton detective agency hires a bounty hunter to find the three remaining killers. He tracks them to Twin Forks but has no clue to their identity. Tensions surface as just his presence in town acts as a catalyst. Written by Jeremy Perkins {J-26}
Plot heavy western that should please Scott fans, even if the film doesn't. In fact, the lantern jaw actor carries the 80-minutes, at the same time supporting players drift in and out rather aimlessly. Bounty hunter Kipp (Scott) is on the trail of three baddies who've blended into Twin Forks, so that their identities are now hidden. As a result, Kipp has to figure out who the guilty ones are. Trouble is the townspeople don't take kindly to being under suspicion, so he's got his work cut out for him.
A plot like this relies greatly on script, which I found pretty loosely structured. Except for Kipp, none of the other many characters are sharply etched. Thus the mystery element never really gels, and with that goes much of the suspense until the last ten minutes. As you might expect this is not a scenic western, with most of the action taking place in a studio town. What the film does have going for it--in addition to Scott-- is the great Marie Windsor as, surprise, surprise, a dancehall girl. I just wish they had given her more to do. Some verbal face-offs between her and Scott would be explosive. Looks to me also like director deToth couldn't really engage with the script, despite his proved record with outstanding westerns—Ramrod (1947), Day of the Outlaw (1959).
Overall, the oater shows off Scott's powerful presence, but, I'm sorry to say, not much else.