Gun Duel in Durango

An infamous criminal's attempts to live an honest life are complicated by his love interest, his concern for a young orphaned boy, and former gang members who don't want to see him going straight. An ordinary B-Western held together by a workmanlike performance from George Montgomery and competent direction from Sidney Salkow. Loses points for an unaccountably rushed ending, though.

Ex-outlaw Will Sabre wants an honest life under the alias Dan Tomlinson but his old gang, under new leader Dunsten, wants him back for a new string of armed robberies.

Standard western about an outlaw trying to reform is a competent heartwarming little programmer that features a fine performance from George Montgomery, who expresses desperation as an ex-outlaw trying to bury his past; his interactions with the boy comes across natural and a reason for him to reform. Apart from the emotional content, there's some lively gunplay and a really callous main villain. Just wished that it was in colour, though.

Never heard of Director Salkow but he does a decent job with this B pic, and cleverly allows child actor Bobby Clark to steal the spectator's heartstrings.

Montgomery is not a great actor but he is effective as a gun hand trying to reform and stop killing. Ann Robinson is a dish, so they make a great couple. Steve Brodie is a convincing villain, and the action is somewhat slow and frustrating because initially Sabre wants to take on the identity of Bobbly Clark's father and allow killer Sabre to be reported dead but then he dithers and goes back on his plan, when all he had to do was to shoot all the members of the Sabre gang dead and the sheriff would not be able to identify him.

At one point he tells lovely Robinson that he has switched names because he does not want to kill anymore but, after much hesitation, he goes ahead and kills three or four gang members for good measure.

So go figure that contradiction. Apart from that, it's a touching and entertaining B pic.

A Tad Above Average B-Western that has Plenty of Heart and Plenty of Gunfire. George Montgomery is trying to Hang-Up His Outlaw Guns but His Old Gang won't let go. The always Reliable Steve Brodie is now Heading the bunch of No-Goodniks and is Determined to make Montgomery Pay in more ways than one.

Nifty Little Saddle Soap that utilizes that 50's Plot Point that Post-War Baby-Boomers got there Handle. It's all about Kids ("Shane", "The Rifleman"). This one isn't too Sappy and the Cast makes it Appealing and Heartwarming.

Guns Ablaze and the Solution has an Optimistic, Forgiving Attitude about Gangster Reform for a Sunny Conclusion. Enjoyable, Fast-Paced Western that should Please Fans of the Genre.

Brodie Steals the Show as a Nasty Creep and the rest of the Seasoned Cast Help things stay on course. The Kid, who just Lost His Dad, shows some Intelligence and Attitude that Rivals the Grownups and does Not Diminish the Grit of the Movie.

OK, that's a pretty good time waster, but there were dozens, or even hundreds like this one where a former outlaw wants to redeem himself, forget his past and have a new life, facing his former associates. It is well done by a very professional Sidney Salkow, but the plot is sooo predictable and boring. I hardly made it concerning the viewing, me who likes being surprised. Here, not at all. This was actually not a deception because I am not naive enough to expect anything more. I had seventy four minutes to waste in my sunday afternoon and that's why. But, I insist, it will please to most western fans. I have seen far far worse.