Vigilante Terror

This is a serious 50's B-western gussied up quite nicely to seem more sophisticated and grand than what would normally be expected. It seems in large measure like a big-name A-picture, but without technicolor, strong love interest, and main character inner-struggles. Bill Elliott has taken on a job to do and he does it with precision and with his usual stoicism. And so do the bad guys!

Carefully planned camera angling and movements and unobtrusive music, especially during heightened moments of excitement, indicate production has moved beyond the 1940's. A number of long-sweep scenes give an air of sophisticated cinematography and direction, such as when the rabid mob push their intended string-ups around the far corner, through the street, and up toward the sheriff's office.

This is a film with few light moments. And although there is a lot of calculation and considered decision making demonstrated by the leading characters, unbridled horse action is plentiful, as is extensive gunplay. There are some good moments for sure in this one for fans of B-westerns...some experts peg 1953 as the final year of the genre'. By the way...Did I miss Wild Bill mentioning that he is a "peaceable man?"

Things have gotten so bad that the citizens of Pinetop have formed a vigilante committee to maintain order, but the Brewer gang continues to operate. Tack Hamlin (Wild Bill Elliott) comes to town and is soon recruited for sheriff, and he gets right to work, trying to stop both the bandits and the masked vigilantes. Turns out that Brett (Myron Healey), who owns the saloon, leads both the outlaws and the vigilantes, and is planting false evidence on others to divert suspicion from himself.

Routine yet diverting enough Will Bill Elliott western that is a mix of the 1940's style shoot em up with the frantic plot, galloping horses and gun aplenty and the adult element what with the stark camera work and lack of comic sidekicks. Plus you got Elliott acting more grim and determined with nary of a smile. All in all, a serviceable western with a good performance by Myron Healey as the heavy, the kind of role he has done countless times.