You must Deduct Points for the Shameless Reuse of Three Scenes from "Dodge City" (1939). But that Cheating notwithstanding, this Randolph Scott, Technicolor, Movie has its Own Merits.
The Story is more Complex than most of its Type, Scott is given an Off-Beat Role as a Newspaper Man Conflicted about what Type of Lead to use in His Fight Against Corruption and Evil, "I'll print you out of Texas.", He says at one point.
David Brian makes a Formidable Friend/Foe and Matches Scott Scene for Scene, and the Two Women, Phyllis Thaxter and Helena Carter hold Their Own in the Story among the Towering Male Protagonists.
Some Corny Elements Intrude occasionally, mostly with the Marriage Angle and a Teen Apprentice learning the Newspaper Trade. But these can be Overlooked.
There's some Good Dialog Exchanges and a Few Set Pieces that are Outstanding, like the Stampede and some Gunfighting Standoffs that make for some Western Excitement.
Overall, Above Average WB Entry at the Beginning of the Fifties Western Cycle that would, Frankly, become so Overloaded in the Decade as to make it all a Blur, to some Extent.
The Story is more Complex than most of its Type, Scott is given an Off-Beat Role as a Newspaper Man Conflicted about what Type of Lead to use in His Fight Against Corruption and Evil, "I'll print you out of Texas.", He says at one point.
David Brian makes a Formidable Friend/Foe and Matches Scott Scene for Scene, and the Two Women, Phyllis Thaxter and Helena Carter hold Their Own in the Story among the Towering Male Protagonists.
Some Corny Elements Intrude occasionally, mostly with the Marriage Angle and a Teen Apprentice learning the Newspaper Trade. But these can be Overlooked.
There's some Good Dialog Exchanges and a Few Set Pieces that are Outstanding, like the Stampede and some Gunfighting Standoffs that make for some Western Excitement.
Overall, Above Average WB Entry at the Beginning of the Fifties Western Cycle that would, Frankly, become so Overloaded in the Decade as to make it all a Blur, to some Extent.