This is probably one of the greatest B westerns ever made, as creaky as most of them, but aided by a complex story and an above average script with some fabulous characterizations starting with Tom Tyler as the bandit with a cause, the Llano Kid, and a terrific villain played by Al Bridge. Tyler is wanted by the law for theft, but his motivation is to pay back those who Bridge has swindled in a mining scheme. Because Bridge has influence with the law, it is Tyler who is wanted, even though they know that Bridge set it up so he could get away with killing his ex partner, allegedly in self-defense.
Caught in the middle is the cute as a button Adele Lacey, a perky leading lady who reminded me of Carole Lombard and Jean Arthur, being coy with Tyler in her efforts to flirt with him, while Bridge arranges with the law to get her a position as a school teacher simply so he can get closer to her for his own lascivious reasons. Between these three major players, there are enough great moments to help the film rise above the not so great photography, and it ends up not only being a fun Western crime drama but a romantic one as well with a unique triangle. I've always enjoyed watching Al Bridge in these B westerns because it is obvious that he knew with his physical and vocal characteristics, this was the only type of role he could play, so he made fun with it. Bob Burns, who would go on to play many yokel pet characters, plays the sheriff, and I barely realized it was him because of the difference in this and later parts. Plenty of action, some great comic moments and a fast pace makes this a programmer that was a true pleasure to watch.
Caught in the middle is the cute as a button Adele Lacey, a perky leading lady who reminded me of Carole Lombard and Jean Arthur, being coy with Tyler in her efforts to flirt with him, while Bridge arranges with the law to get her a position as a school teacher simply so he can get closer to her for his own lascivious reasons. Between these three major players, there are enough great moments to help the film rise above the not so great photography, and it ends up not only being a fun Western crime drama but a romantic one as well with a unique triangle. I've always enjoyed watching Al Bridge in these B westerns because it is obvious that he knew with his physical and vocal characteristics, this was the only type of role he could play, so he made fun with it. Bob Burns, who would go on to play many yokel pet characters, plays the sheriff, and I barely realized it was him because of the difference in this and later parts. Plenty of action, some great comic moments and a fast pace makes this a programmer that was a true pleasure to watch.