Silent Valley

Tom Tyler is the sheriff, but the ranchers aren't happy with him, particularly Al Bridge. There's a gang of cattle rustlers and Tom hasn't arrested anyone. He wants proof. When one of his sheriffs gets shot, Bridge recommends Slim Whitaker, because the gang works for Bridge and he wants someone on the inside to shoot any inconvenient witnesses or gang members who want to turn honest.

I didn't look at this movie for a while because it was directed by Bernard B. Ray, and his cheapjack productions are pretty poor, even by Poverty Row standards. This one lacks anything in the way of interesting stunts, and there's an awful lot of talk between the two gunfights, but it moves along pretty well.

Tom Tyler was always watchable, even when, late in his career, he was just a with.

Here he is his good-looking, athletic, masculine best as a stalwart sheriff who is believed to be incapable of doing his job.

He is doubted by the ranchers who are having their cattle rustled, and even by his fiancee, played by the extremely lovely and extremely talented Nancy Deshon, of whom nothing is known here.

Watching her, I believe she was or had been a stage actress, and I believe she should have a long and popular career.

Chief bad guy is played by the inimitable Al Bridge, whose voice would make him stand out regardless of any talent.

The plot takes several twists and turns and the good story really deserved a bigger budget.

Some of the best Western players in Hollywood history, including my favorite Charles King, fill out this talented cast who are well directed and very well photographed in an action-filled story with a surprisingly quiet ending.

I do recommend "Silent Valley," of which there is a good print at YouTube.