Law and Order

Ronald Reagan quits his job as sheriff of Tombstone (No, he's not Wyatt Earp.) and heads for greener pastures in an attempt to start a new calmer life for himself and his brothers, only to find out that his new home is run with an iron hand, both figuratively and literally, by old foe Preston Foster and his sniveling sons.

A solid studio B-western, this looks like a million bucks in gorgeous Technicolor and has a script that really knows what buttons to push.

One of Reagan's better roles, he strikes all the right notes and is definitely well cast.

This is also a great showcase for up and coming future stars Russell Johnson (the professor on Gilligan's Island) and an almost unrecognizable Dennis Weaver, who really makes the best out of his role as one of Foster's sadistic sons.

The final fist-fight between Reagan and Foster is well staged, exciting, and immensely satisfying.

I am a western fanatic with over 200 top western titles in my personal collection, many of which are in my IMDb database. This film made in 1953 is very enjoyable to watch. If you are a fan of Westerns you will absolutely want to watch this film. Law and Order reminds me of the Stewart-Mann Westerns of the same era with the same attention to detail and plot development.Juran like Anthony Mann brings out the best in his actors. Ronald Reagan is tough and believable, the color adds to the excellent filming, and the acting is quite good. Dorthy Malone is very beautiful and charming. Apart from a bit of predictability this film combines, action, horse riding, gun fights, and a beautiful girl into a good enjoyable film.

DB

Fun movie, with some good action (entertaining fight later in the movie) and some great lines. The most memorable part for me though has to be the fastest romance in the west. Guy meets girl says hello, 5 mins later lets elope!!! Hilarious.

All the performances are great!

I had never heard of Director Nathan Juran until I saw LAW AND ORDER, and I doubt I'll remember him for any significant amount of time. He doesn't do a bad job of this B pic... simply not good enough: photography is weak, script predictable and tame, and what really saves it is the presence of the late former President Ronald Reagan and incredibly beautiful Dorothy Malone.

In the end, this is another retelling of the Wyatt Earp and bros story, with different names and against differently named foes.

Some good fighting sequences involving RR, too.

Yes this is a classic Western tale of 'good guys' vs 'bad guys' which Hollywood loves to recycle. Ronald Reagan (Frame Johnson) gives a fine performance as a Cincinnatus type sheriff who is called upon to quell a lawless town. The supporting cast includes the crooked and bought town sheriff (Barry Elder) and the all-powerful town leader (Preston Foster). Dorothy Malone (Jeannie) and Ruth Hampton (Maria Durling) provide the suffering women-in-waiting roles very well. Russell Johnson (Jimmy Johnson) comes off well as the hot-headed, quick to action younger brother of Reagan. The movie has plenty of color, great location shots, fight scenes and tough talking bad guys. Dennis Weaver (Frank Durling) and Jack Kelley (Jed) make the most of their screen time. This movie stands on its own and I recommend it for anyone wanting so see Reagan give a fine performance.