Director: LAMBERT HILLYER. Original screenplay: Luci Ward. Photography: George Meehan. Film editor: James Sweeney. Western Electric Sound System. Producer: Leon Barsha.
Copyright 7 November 1940 by Columbia Pictures Corp. U.S. release: 14 November 1940. No New York opening. 6 reels. 58 minutes. U.K. release title: Power of Justice.
COMMENT: It's astonishing what a stranglehold Luci Ward had on the writing of "B"-picture westerns. Why she was employed is a typical Hollywood piece of illogicality, since her knowledge of the frontier is nil, her dialogue is stilted and her plots are merely variations of well-worn themes with as many clichés as there are leaves in a hen-party teapot.
This one is no exception. It emerges as a pretty mediocre Wild Bill Hickok western, with plenty of dialogue and not overmuch action. Admittedly, the climax starts promisingly with Mr Hickok making a most spectacular entrance, but, alas, the rest of it is lame. Dub Taylor's comic relief is chiefly concerned with a running gag about a cow-hide vest that is not the least bit funny.
Although Evelyn Keyes figures in a fair bit of footage, her fans will be hard put to recognize her. Even her personality is quite colorless. On the evidence of this film it would be hard to believe she had a Hollywood future.
One of our favorite villains, gravel-voiced Norman Willis, has only a secondary henchman role. The chief villains themselves are an undistinguished lot. Lambert Hillyer's direction is dull. Though competent, it does not exhibit any traces of his customary flair and style. Other production credits are merely okay.
Copyright 7 November 1940 by Columbia Pictures Corp. U.S. release: 14 November 1940. No New York opening. 6 reels. 58 minutes. U.K. release title: Power of Justice.
COMMENT: It's astonishing what a stranglehold Luci Ward had on the writing of "B"-picture westerns. Why she was employed is a typical Hollywood piece of illogicality, since her knowledge of the frontier is nil, her dialogue is stilted and her plots are merely variations of well-worn themes with as many clichés as there are leaves in a hen-party teapot.
This one is no exception. It emerges as a pretty mediocre Wild Bill Hickok western, with plenty of dialogue and not overmuch action. Admittedly, the climax starts promisingly with Mr Hickok making a most spectacular entrance, but, alas, the rest of it is lame. Dub Taylor's comic relief is chiefly concerned with a running gag about a cow-hide vest that is not the least bit funny.
Although Evelyn Keyes figures in a fair bit of footage, her fans will be hard put to recognize her. Even her personality is quite colorless. On the evidence of this film it would be hard to believe she had a Hollywood future.
One of our favorite villains, gravel-voiced Norman Willis, has only a secondary henchman role. The chief villains themselves are an undistinguished lot. Lambert Hillyer's direction is dull. Though competent, it does not exhibit any traces of his customary flair and style. Other production credits are merely okay.