"El Paso, a Pine/Thomas production has a large cast and plenty of violent action to satisfy the most demanding western fan. However, most of the real violence happens off screen to appease the censors.
Clay Fletcher (John Payne) goes to El Paso to have Judge Henry Jeffers (Henry Hull) sign some legal documents for his grandfather Judge Fletcher (H.B. Warner). Clay also hopes to see his lost love Susan Jeffers (Gail Russell) as well. On his journey he becomes acquainted with bewhiskered Pesky (Gabby Hayes), a peddler.
What Clay finds is a lawless town run by landowner Bert Donner (Sterling Hayden) and his corrupt sheriff La Farge (Dick Foran). Clay himself a lawyer, witnesses a mock trial of a prisoner accused of murder presided over by an intoxicated Judge Jeffers. The prisoner (Keith Richards) is quickly found guilty by a jury composed of Donner and his men. Clay goes to see Susan and the two try to find a way to sober up Judge Jeffers.
Farmer John Elkins (Arthur Space) is told that his ranch is being sold for unpaid taxes. When he resists a deputy is shot in the scuffle. Ellis escapes to the hosienda of Mexican Don Nacho Vazquez (Eduardo Noriega) for protection. Clay decides to defend Elkins and hatches a plan to have, with Pesky's help, the Judge sobered up.
At the trial, Elkins is found innocent but consequences ensue. The Elkins ranch is raided by La Farge's men who burn down their home and murder Elkins and his wife. Their son Jack (Bobby Ellis) witnesses the attack. At the same time, Judge Jeffers is dragged to death.
When Clay learns of this he loses it and forms a gang of vigilantes to exact their revenge. Young Jack identifies some of the attackers who are promptly strung up. Unfortunately, Jack identifies an innocent man who is killed before the error is discovered.
Judge Fletcher comes to town and he and Sally try to reason with Clay to stop his attacks. He agrees to do so but relents when Judge Fletcher's body is brought to him. This incites the final showdown with Donner and La Farge and................................................................................
The finale for some reason, takes place in a sand storm which makes it difficult for the viewer to see all of the action. The brutal deaths of the two judges even though they occur off screen, are shocking.
Payne and Hayden are convincing in their roles and the tragic Russell looks absolutely beautiful here. Gabby Hayes nearing the end of his long career, turns in another typical Gabby performance. But the big surprise is the casting of Dick Foran as the brutal sheriff. He normally was a good guy so this about face caught me off guard.
The most surprising thing about this picture is the fact that Payne and his cohorts are not punished for the murder of the innocent Minister.
Also in the cast are Irving Bacon as a stagecoach passenger, Mary Beth Hughes, Chief Yowlachie and Dewey Robinson as the bartender (what else?).
Clay Fletcher (John Payne) goes to El Paso to have Judge Henry Jeffers (Henry Hull) sign some legal documents for his grandfather Judge Fletcher (H.B. Warner). Clay also hopes to see his lost love Susan Jeffers (Gail Russell) as well. On his journey he becomes acquainted with bewhiskered Pesky (Gabby Hayes), a peddler.
What Clay finds is a lawless town run by landowner Bert Donner (Sterling Hayden) and his corrupt sheriff La Farge (Dick Foran). Clay himself a lawyer, witnesses a mock trial of a prisoner accused of murder presided over by an intoxicated Judge Jeffers. The prisoner (Keith Richards) is quickly found guilty by a jury composed of Donner and his men. Clay goes to see Susan and the two try to find a way to sober up Judge Jeffers.
Farmer John Elkins (Arthur Space) is told that his ranch is being sold for unpaid taxes. When he resists a deputy is shot in the scuffle. Ellis escapes to the hosienda of Mexican Don Nacho Vazquez (Eduardo Noriega) for protection. Clay decides to defend Elkins and hatches a plan to have, with Pesky's help, the Judge sobered up.
At the trial, Elkins is found innocent but consequences ensue. The Elkins ranch is raided by La Farge's men who burn down their home and murder Elkins and his wife. Their son Jack (Bobby Ellis) witnesses the attack. At the same time, Judge Jeffers is dragged to death.
When Clay learns of this he loses it and forms a gang of vigilantes to exact their revenge. Young Jack identifies some of the attackers who are promptly strung up. Unfortunately, Jack identifies an innocent man who is killed before the error is discovered.
Judge Fletcher comes to town and he and Sally try to reason with Clay to stop his attacks. He agrees to do so but relents when Judge Fletcher's body is brought to him. This incites the final showdown with Donner and La Farge and................................................................................
The finale for some reason, takes place in a sand storm which makes it difficult for the viewer to see all of the action. The brutal deaths of the two judges even though they occur off screen, are shocking.
Payne and Hayden are convincing in their roles and the tragic Russell looks absolutely beautiful here. Gabby Hayes nearing the end of his long career, turns in another typical Gabby performance. But the big surprise is the casting of Dick Foran as the brutal sheriff. He normally was a good guy so this about face caught me off guard.
The most surprising thing about this picture is the fact that Payne and his cohorts are not punished for the murder of the innocent Minister.
Also in the cast are Irving Bacon as a stagecoach passenger, Mary Beth Hughes, Chief Yowlachie and Dewey Robinson as the bartender (what else?).